28/02/2026
India once prided itself on strategic autonomy — balancing Israel, Iran, the US and Russia without becoming anyone’s junior partner.
But what are we seeing now? A high-profile Israel visit, symbolic gestures, photo-ops and diplomatic warmth — followed immediately by regional escalation involving Iran.
Whether coincidence or poor timing, the perception damage matters. Iran has historically been a crucial partner for India — from energy security to the Chabahar corridor giving us access to Central Asia. Weakening that equation only reduces India’s leverage in West Asia.
Foreign policy isn’t about optics. It’s about safeguarding long-term national interests and maintaining equilibrium between competing powers. If one relationship grows at the cost of another, the balance tilts — and strategic autonomy slowly erodes.
The real question isn’t about one visit. It’s about whether India is still charting an independent course — or drifting into alignment without proportional gains.
Debate the policy. Question the strategy. Because foreign policy miscalculations don’t trend for 24 hours — they shape decades. 🌍