India has long positioned itself as a nation that refuses to be drawn into the binary logic of great-power rivalry. As tensions between the United States and Russia have deepened — particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine — New Delhi has faced mounting pressure from Western governments to take a clearer side. So far, it has declined to do so.
A Doctrine Rooted in History
India's resistance to alignment is not a recent development. The country was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War and has historically maintained that its foreign policy serves its own national interests rather than those of any external power. This tradition, now reframed as "strategic autonomy," continues to guide the decisions of India's government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ties With Russia Run Deep
Russia has been one of India's most significant arms suppliers for decades. A large share of India's military hardware has Soviet or Russian origins, creating a dependency that cannot be unwound quickly or cheaply. India has also continued to purchase Russian oil at discounted prices following Western-led sanctions, drawing criticism from European capitals and Washington.
The American Relationship Grows in Weight
At the same time, India's relationship with the United States has grown considerably in strategic and economic terms. New Delhi is a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — known as the Quad — alongside the United States, Australia, and Japan, a grouping widely seen as a counterbalance to China's regional ambitions. Trade and technology cooperation between India and the U.S. have also expanded significantly in recent years.
China as the Common Variable
Analysts frequently point to China as the factor that complicates India's balancing act. India shares a contested border with China and has experienced serious military standoffs along the Himalayan frontier. This rivalry pushes India closer to the United States on security matters, while economic and historical factors sustain its relationship with Moscow.
The result is a foreign policy that defies easy categorization — one that Western governments have found frustrating, but that New Delhi shows little sign of abandoning.
Remaining Questions
How long can India sustain dual partnerships as U.S.-Russia tensions remain elevated? Will India's defence modernization reduce its structural dependence on Russian military equipment? And how will New Delhi navigate its posture if the conflict in Ukraine escalates further?
Sources: Council on Foreign Relations, Reuters, BBC News, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Ministry of External Affairs of India (official statements)
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