India Navigates Complex Geopolitics, Prioritizing Strategic Interests Over Illusions of partnership: Shashi tharoor Analysis
New delhi – October 3, 2025 – As India seeks to balance its relationships with both China and the United States, a nuanced approach focused on long-term strategic interests, rather than fleeting diplomatic gestures, is crucial, according to a recent analysis by prominent Indian politician and author Shashi Tharoor. The assessment underscores a need to avoid overestimating the potential for a reset with China while simultaneously recognizing the enduring strength of the partnership with the US.
Tharoor’s analysis highlights a historical pattern of miscalculation within India’s foreign policy establishment. He argues that, unlike China – which has engaged in territorial disputes, supported Pakistan in wartime, and attempted to reshape the Asian geopolitical landscape – the US has consistently demonstrated a commitment to a stable indo-Pacific region. Over the past two decades,India and the US have cultivated a robust strategic partnership built on defense interoperability,intelligence sharing,counter-terrorism efforts,and maritime security cooperation.
This partnership is exemplified by India’s participation in the Quad grouping alongside the US,australia,and Japan,a commitment to maintaining a balance of power against China’s growing influence. Despite current uncertainties surrounding the next Quad summit, scheduled to be held in India, the underlying imperative for this collaboration remains firm.
The US also serves as a vital partner for india in key sectors like science,technology,and education,and is a notable source of investment in areas such as semiconductors and clean energy. India currently enjoys a substantial trade surplus with the US, reaching $40 billion, making the US its largest export destination.
while acknowledging recent tensions – including accusations from US officials labeling India alongside China and Russia as “bad actors” in global trade, and past tariffs imposed by the Trump governance (including a 50% tariff on indian goods) – tharoor emphasizes that these disputes are resolvable through ongoing negotiations.
“Ultimately, the logic of US-india cooperation is not transactional; it is indeed structural,” Tharoor writes. He asserts that both nations share a essential interest in securing global supply chains and containing China’s hegemonic ambitions. He cautions, however, that while engagement with China is necessary to prevent further deterioration in relations, significant obstacles to a genuine thaw remain due to geographical realities, ideological differences, and power imbalances.
Tharoor stresses that strategic autonomy for India doesn’t mean vacillating between major powers, but rather creating a space to pursue national interests independently. He warns against being misled by superficial gestures from China and advocates for maintaining engagement with the US even amidst disagreements, especially in areas of shared strategic alignment.
“India’s foreign policy must not be guided by the theater of summitry, but by the substance of strategic interest,” Tharoor concludes. “The dragon may offer handshakes, but its claws remain visible.The eagle may have ruffled feathers, but its wings still offer lift. Engaging with both requires not just balance, but foresight.”
