India's Strategic Autonomy Compromised by Alignment with US and Israel
India's traditional policy of strategic autonomy has been significantly undermined by its pivot towards the United States, according to analyst Anuradha Chenoy. Writing in a recent opinion piece, Chenoy argues that New Delhi sought to curry favour with Washington by aligning with the Jewish lobby and becoming indispensable to Israel. This shift has diluted India's long-standing support for Palestine, including supplying weapons to Israel despite the latter's alleged violations of humanitarian and international law through ethnic cleansing.
Dilution of Traditional Palestine Support
Chenoy notes that India historically championed the Palestinian cause, voting consistently at the United Nations in favour of Palestinian rights. However, since the normalization of relations with Israel in 1992 and especially after the Modi government came to power in 2014, India has progressively moved closer to Israel. This has included defence deals, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic coordination. The Indian government has also refrained from criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, a departure from its earlier stance.
Weapons Supplies Continue Despite Humanitarian Concerns
Despite international condemnation of Israel's military operations in Gaza, India has continued to supply weapons and military technology to Israel. Chenoy highlights that this includes drone components, munitions, and other defence equipment. Such supplies, she argues, make India complicit in violations of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of weapons to a state engaged in systematic human rights abuses. The Indian government has not publicly disclosed the full extent of its military exports to Israel.
Impact on India's Global Standing
The shift has not gone unnoticed in the Global South, where India once enjoyed a reputation as a leader of non-aligned nations. Chenoy points out that India's stance on Palestine is now seen as inconsistent with its claims of being a voice for the developing world. This could undermine India's aspirations for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and its broader diplomatic influence. Domestically, the change has also sparked criticism from Muslim communities and left-leaning political parties.
Strategic Autonomy vs. US Alliance
Chenoy concludes that India's pursuit of a closer relationship with the US has come at the cost of its strategic autonomy. By aligning too closely with Washington and Tel Aviv, New Delhi has limited its ability to act independently on West Asian issues. This is particularly problematic as the US itself faces declining influence in the region, leaving India exposed to potential blowback from Arab and Muslim-majority countries. The analyst urges a rebalancing of India's foreign policy to restore its traditional neutrality and credibility.
