India’s Strategic Realignment: How New Delhi Balances BRICS, the Quad, and the Global South

India’s foreign policy in 2025 is defined by a unique balancing act. It is a member of BRICS alongside China and Russia, an active partner in the Quad with the United States, Japan, and Australia, and a leader of the Global South. This strategic multi-alignment is deliberate, not accidental — and it shapes how New Delhi engages with the world’s major power centers.

The U.S.: A Period of Transition

During Donald Trump’s presidency, India saw the period as a transition in U.S. politics and foreign policy. Trump’s approach was transactional and unpredictable, but strategically, Washington’s stance against China aligned with India’s own security concerns.

Even when trade disputes arose — such as the imposition of tariffs and removal of India from the Generalized System of Preferences — New Delhi refrained from retaliatory counter-measures. The message was clear: preserve the broader strategic partnership.

India ensured all defense procurement deals with the U.S. continued — from C-17 Globemasters to Apache and Chinook helicopters. This patience paid off, as the Biden administration has since deepened Indo-U.S. cooperation in critical technologies, space, and maritime security.

China: The Limits of RIC

The Russia–India–China (RIC) dialogue offers a forum for Eurasian cooperation, but India’s unresolved border disputes with China severely limit its scope.

From Doklam in 2017 to Galwan in 2020, tensions along the Line of Actual Control have persisted. Meanwhile, China’s growing partnership with Pakistan and infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir challenge India’s sovereignty.

As a result, RIC is more a diplomatic formality than a genuine strategic alliance. India engages when beneficial but remains vigilant against Chinese ambitions.

Russia: An Old Friend, Now Weakened

India’s ties with Russia run deep, built on decades of defense cooperation. However, Russia’s position has weakened significantly after the Ukraine war. Sanctions, economic strain, and increasing dependence on China limit Moscow’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge military technology.

While India continues to honor existing defense contracts, it cannot abandon U.S. partnerships for Russia. Western nations offer advanced systems and capabilities that are critical for India’s modernization goals.

The Multi-Alignment Strategy

BRICS gives India economic and diplomatic influence in the developing world, the Quad strengthens security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South narrative cements India’s leadership among emerging economies.

By engaging in all three spheres without being bound to any single bloc’s agenda, India preserves its strategic autonomy — ensuring national interest remains paramount.

Conclusion

India’s strategic realignment is not about choosing sides — it’s about maintaining flexibility in a multipolar world. Whether it’s the U.S., China, or Russia, New Delhi’s approach is shaped by pragmatism, patience, and the pursuit of long-term national security and prosperity.

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