Chapter Eleven
India’s Rise in the Indo-Pacific: Strategic Autonomy in Action
Shyam Tekwani and Saumya Sampath
India’s strategic location gives it the potential to play a pivotal role, but potential is not action
— Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister and founder of Singapore
Abstract
In an era of shifting global power dynamics, India is asserting itself as a major player in the Indo-Pacific. This chapter examines India’s evolving foreign policy, characterized by “strategic autonomy,” and its multifaceted approach to regional engagement. It analyzes India’s key partnerships, security challenges, and efforts to bolster its global stature and regional supremacy. The chapter also explores the complexities and opportunities that lie ahead as India flexes its newfound geopolitical muscle to shape the regional order.