India's geopolitics : The long game
India's geopolitical strategy has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Once content to play a peripheral role in global affairs, the world's largest democracy is now asserting itself as a major power with ambitions that stretch far beyond the Indian Ocean. This shift represents not a sudden pivot, but rather the culmination of decades of patient groundwork—a long game that is only now becoming fully apparent.
At the heart of India's geopolitical vision lies strategic autonomy. Unlike many nations that align themselves firmly within one camp or another, India has deliberately cultivated relationships across the geopolitical spectrum. New Delhi maintains robust partnerships with Washington while simultaneously deepening ties with Moscow. It engages constructively with Beijing on trade even as border tensions simmer. This careful balancing act, rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement's legacy, allows India to maximize its options and resist pressure to choose sides in great power competitions.
The economic dimension of India's long game cannot be overstated. With a rapidly growing economy projected to become the world's third-largest within this decade, India leverages its market potential as diplomatic currency. The country has become increasingly selective about economic partnerships, using access to its billion-plus consumers as a bargaining chip. Initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) signal a determination to build domestic capabilities while reducing dependence on any single partner.
Maritime strategy forms another crucial pillar. India's geographic position astride major sea lanes gives it natural advantages, and New Delhi has worked methodically to translate this into strategic influence. The Indian Navy has expanded its reach, conducting regular patrols from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea. Port development projects in Mauritius, Seychelles, and other Indian Ocean nations reflect a quiet effort to establish strategic footholds. The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine encapsulates India's vision of maritime leadership based on cooperation rather than coercion.
Regionally, India plays a complex game of managing relationships with neighbors while countering China's growing influence. The country has invested heavily in connectivity projects linking South and Southeast Asia, offering an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Through platforms like BIMSTEC and revitalized engagement with ASEAN, India positions itself as a regional anchor and rule-maker.
Technology and innovation increasingly define India's geopolitical toolkit. As concerns about digital sovereignty and data localization grow globally, India's large tech sector and digital infrastructure become strategic assets. The country's space program, pharmaceutical industry, and renewable energy capabilities provide additional vectors for influence and partnership.
The long game India plays requires patience and pragmatism. Unlike powers that seek quick wins or dramatic reshaping of the international order, India builds incrementally, establishing relationships and capabilities that compound over time. This approach has limitations—progress can seem slow, and maintaining balance becomes harder as global polarization increases. Yet it also provides resilience, allowing India to weather storms and adapt to changing circumstances without being locked into rigid commitments.
As the twenty-first century unfolds, India's geopolitical trajectory suggests a nation determined to shape rather than merely respond to global events, playing a game measured not in election cycles but in generations.