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Writer's pictureHarsh Agrawal

How India’s Strategic Friendships Are Shaping the Global Order: A Deep Dive into Sreeram Chaulia’s FRIENDS


FRIENDS: India's Closest Strategic Partners

Author: Sreeram Chaulia

Genre: International Relations/Geopolitics/Foreign Policy

Published by Rupa Publications

Pages: 304

MRP: Rs. 795/-


Thank you Rupa Publications for a review copy of the book.


Sreeram Chaulia’s FRIENDS: India’s Closest Strategic Partners is a compelling exploration of how India leverages bilateral relationships to navigate an increasingly fractured and multipolar global landscape. With deep dives into historical philosophies, contemporary geopolitics, and India’s diplomatic strategies, Chaulia provides a thought-provoking examination of India’s rise as a global power and its reliance on strategic partnerships to sustain its ascent. The book is both a celebration of India’s achievements in diplomacy and a roadmap for understanding the dynamics that shape its international engagements.

Chaulia crafts his narrative with scholarly rigor and a balanced mix of theory and practice, making the book an indispensable resource for academics, policymakers, and readers interested in global politics. Through a combination of analysis and case studies, the author sheds light on India’s partnerships with key nations, revealing their impact on India’s strategic goals, regional stability, and global leadership aspirations.


Thematic Analysis

The book’s overarching thesis revolves around the significance of bilateral strategic partnerships in sustaining multilateral diplomacy and global governance. Chaulia contextualizes this within India’s historical and cultural framework, juxtaposing ancient ideas from Kautilya’s Arthashastra with modern statecraft. India’s foreign policy, as presented in the book, is rooted in pragmatism, autonomy, and adaptability, allowing it to cultivate relationships across ideological divides while navigating the challenges of global power transitions.


India as a Rising Power

Chaulia rejects traditional categorizations of India as a "middle power," arguing that India is better understood as a "rising power" that is positioning itself as a pole in the emerging multipolar world. This vision is encapsulated in the term "leading power," often invoked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. India’s foreign policy, the book argues, is not about passively upholding the status quo but actively shaping a new global order that accommodates its ambitions and values.


India’s strategic autonomy emerges as a central theme, underscoring its refusal to align exclusively with any power bloc. This autonomy allows India to maintain a diverse portfolio of partnerships, including with nations that may be at odds with one another, such as the United States and Russia. The book emphasizes that India’s focus on strategic autonomy is not just a policy choice but a necessity in a world where multilateral institutions are increasingly paralyzed by great-power rivalries.


Bilateral Partnerships as Foundations

A key argument in the book is that bilateral relationships are the bedrock of multilateral success. Chaulia demonstrates this with India’s G20 presidency in 2023, where deft coalition-building with strategic partners enabled consensus on contentious issues like the Russia-Ukraine war. The book underscores the importance of these bilateral ties in advancing India’s global ambitions, portraying them as the scaffolding upon which India builds its multilateral achievements.


Soft Power and Global South Leadership

India’s leadership in the Global South is another recurring theme. Chaulia highlights India’s efforts to position itself as a voice for developing nations, advocating for equitable development and technology sharing. Initiatives such as India’s digital public infrastructure and vaccine diplomacy are framed as examples of its soft power and commitment to global welfare. This soft power complements India’s hard power strategies, particularly in the defense and security domains.


Geopolitical Challenges and the China Factor

China looms large in Chaulia’s analysis, often serving as the implicit or explicit counterpoint to India’s strategic partnerships. The book portrays India’s bilateral relationships as instruments for countering China’s assertiveness, especially in the Indo-Pacific. While Chaulia acknowledges the economic interdependence between India and China, he argues that the growing geopolitical rivalry necessitates stronger ties with nations like the U.S., Japan, and Australia.


Case Studies: Six Key Partnerships

The heart of FRIENDS lies in its detailed examination of India’s relationships with six key nations: the United States, Japan, France, Russia, the UAE, and Australia. These case studies offer insights into the strategic logic behind each partnership, their mutual benefits, and the challenges they face.

1. United States: A Comprehensive Global Strategic Partner

The India-U.S. partnership is a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. The two nations share interests in countering China, advancing technology, and fostering trade.

  • Defense Collaboration: Agreements like LEMOA and COMCASA facilitate military interoperability and secure technology sharing. India’s participation in the Quad, alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia, reflects shared Indo-Pacific priorities.

  • Technology and Trade: The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, and collaborations in areas like renewable energy and digital infrastructure underscore the relationship’s economic significance.

  • Challenges: India’s insistence on strategic autonomy sometimes clashes with U.S. expectations, particularly regarding sanctions on Russia and India’s procurement of Russian arms.

2. Japan: A Special Strategic and Global Partner

India’s relationship with Japan is characterized by mutual trust and shared values, particularly in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

  • Infrastructure Investment: Japan’s funding of projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor reflects its commitment to India’s development.

  • Defense Cooperation: Joint military exercises and technology transfers, such as amphibious aircraft, highlight Japan’s role as a security partner.

  • Challenges: Japan’s pacifist constitution limits its military engagement, creating asymmetry in strategic expectations.

3. France: A Trusted Partner in Defense and Energy

France is one of India’s most reliable partners in defense and nuclear energy.

  • Defense Ties: Iconic deals like the Rafale jets and Scorpène submarines underscore the depth of military cooperation.

  • Nuclear and Space Collaboration: France supports India’s civilian nuclear program and works closely in space exploration, including satellite launches.

  • Challenges: Economic ties outside defense remain underdeveloped, and competition from other defense suppliers could erode France’s market share in India.

4. Russia: A Historic and Privileged Partner

Despite its growing closeness to the U.S., India maintains strong ties with Russia, driven by defense needs and historical goodwill.

  • Defense Dependency: Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, with flagship projects like the BrahMos missile and the S-400 system.

  • Energy Collaboration: India’s investments in Russian oil and gas highlight its economic interests in the partnership.

  • Challenges: Russia’s alignment with China and its actions in Ukraine test India’s balancing act, creating tensions in its foreign policy.

5. United Arab Emirates (UAE): A Rising Economic Partner

The UAE is a vital partner for India in trade, investment, and diaspora relations.

  • Economic Engagement: The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and a significant source of remittances and investments.

  • Energy Security: The UAE plays a crucial role in India’s energy imports and renewable energy collaboration.

  • Challenges: The UAE’s relationships with Pakistan and its geopolitical balancing act in the Gulf region occasionally complicate the partnership.

6. Australia: A Key Indo-Pacific Ally

Australia’s partnership with India has grown significantly in recent years, particularly through the Quad.

  • Defense Collaboration: The AUSINDEX exercises and logistics agreements reflect deepening military ties.

  • Economic Ties: Trade in critical minerals and education partnerships are burgeoning, with Australia emerging as a preferred destination for Indian students.

  • Challenges: Australia’s economic dependence on China tempers its ability to fully align with India on counterbalancing Beijing.


Strengths of the Book

  1. Comprehensive Scope: The book covers an impressive range of topics, from defense and energy to soft power and multilateral diplomacy.

  2. Interdisciplinary Approach: Chaulia’s integration of historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives enriches the narrative.

  3. Timeliness: Published in the wake of India’s G20 presidency, the book captures a pivotal moment in global politics.

  4. Balanced Analysis: While celebrating India’s achievements, the book does not shy away from discussing challenges and limitations.


Critiques and Limitations

  1. Dense Prose: The academic tone may deter casual readers.

  2. Overemphasis on China: While the China factor is central, it occasionally overshadows other dimensions of India’s diplomacy.

  3. Limited Domestic Critique: The book could delve deeper into how domestic challenges, such as economic inequality or political polarization, impact India’s foreign policy.


Conclusion

FRIENDS: India’s Closest Strategic Partners is a masterful exploration of India’s bilateral diplomacy. By focusing on six key relationships, Chaulia illustrates how India is leveraging its friendships to navigate a volatile global order. The book positions India as a pivotal player, capable of shaping the future of international relations through its unique blend of strategic autonomy, pragmatism, and vision.


This in-depth analysis of India’s partnerships offers valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and readers seeking to understand the dynamics of global power in the 21st century. As India continues its rise, FRIENDS serves as a guide to both its achievements and the challenges that lie ahead.



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