India’s foreign policy is turning heads globally, and not just because of its growing clout. What sets it apart is its unapologetic focus on what works for India, regardless of which global power feels snubbed. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s recent visit to Australia put this in sharp focus. India is playing a strategic game, balancing relationships with the West, Russia, and emerging powers like China while staying true to its priorities.

Australia visit: quad allies but not puppets

Jaishankar’s trip to Australia was all about strengthening ties with one of India’s most important Western partners. As members of the Quad—a strategic grouping of India, Australia, the U.S., and Japan—the two countries share concerns over China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. During the visit, the discussions revolved around critical technology, rare earths, clean energy, and defense cooperation.

Australia is eager to partner with India in creating resilient supply chains and ensuring regional stability. On the surface, this seems like India aligning with the West, but dig deeper, and you’ll see something different.

India isn’t pledging allegiance to anyone. Jaishankar’s approach in Australia, like elsewhere, was pragmatic. Yes, the two nations align on certain interests, but India refuses to toe anyone else’s line. This wasn’t about joining a Western bloc against China or Russia—it was about finding common ground where it benefits India.

Non-aligned policy: India’s winning play

India’s policy of non-alignment might seem outdated to some, a relic of the Cold War. But today, it’s proving to be one of the smartest moves in global diplomacy. Non-alignment means India doesn’t have to pick sides, and that’s paying off in spades.

For example, while the West has poured economic aid into India to counter China’s influence, India has also maintained strong ties with Russia, particularly for discounted energy imports. Moscow remains a critical partner for India’s defense needs, providing advanced weapons that help keep its northern borders secure. At the same time, the U.S. and Europe are eager to invest in India’s booming markets, modernize its infrastructure, and collaborate on cutting-edge technology.

India’s non-aligned stance allows it to extract maximum benefit from all sides. If Washington wants to court New Delhi to counter Beijing, great; however, if Moscow needs India to buy oil and keep its economy afloat, even better. This balancing act ensures that India remains a global power in its own right, not anyone else’s junior partner.

India and BRICS: not anti-west, just pro-reform

India’s role in BRICS—alongside Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa—underscores its skill in navigating complex alliances. While Russia and China often use BRICS as a platform to criticize the West, India has taken a different tack.

Under India’s influence, BRICS focuses on economic growth, trade reform, and practical measures like funding infrastructure in developing countries. The group’s New Development Bank, for instance, is meant to provide an alternative to Western-led institutions like the IMF and World Bank. But India doesn’t use BRICS to pick fights with the West. Instead, it positions itself as a mediator, promoting a more inclusive global order without alienating anyone.

This balancing act was particularly evident during the recent expansion of BRICS to include countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE. India was instrumental in ensuring the expansion didn’t tilt the group into becoming overtly anti-West, keeping the focus on shared economic goals.

Energy diplomacy: making friends everywhere

Energy is another area where India’s pragmatic diplomacy shines. The country is one of the world’s largest energy consumers, and it needs all the help it can get to fuel its economic growth. This is where its balanced foreign policy pays off.

Russia has become a major supplier of discounted oil to India, a relationship that only deepened after the West imposed sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. While Western nations might frown upon this, India hasn’t wavered. For Jaishankar and the Indian government, energy security trumps lectures on geopolitics.

At the same time, India is collaborating with the U.S. and Europe on clean energy technologies like solar power and hydrogen fuel. This dual approach—importing cheap oil from Russia while investing in green tech with the West—ensures India’s energy future is secure on all fronts.

Strategic autonomy: the Jaishankar doctrine

If there’s one thing Jaishankar’s Australia visit made clear, it’s that India’s foreign policy is unapologetically about India first. He has often described this as “strategic autonomy,” which essentially means making decisions based on national interests, not ideological alliances.

In practice, this means India engages with the West through mechanisms like the Quad but doesn’t let that dictate its stance on issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine. It means India supports BRICS initiatives that align with its goals but don’t fall into the anti-West rhetoric pushed by other members.

This independence frustrates some. Western nations want India to take a stronger stand against Russia. Russia, on the other hand, would prefer India to be less friendly with the U.S. But Jaishankar and his team are clear: India doesn’t pick sides; it picks strategies.

Economic diplomacy: aid without strings

One of the biggest advantages of India’s non-aligned policy is its ability to attract economic aid from all quarters. Western nations view India as a counterbalance to China and are eager to invest in its development. At the same time, India’s partnerships with Russia and other non-Western powers mean it can secure resources and markets without becoming overly dependent on anyone.

This approach allows India to remain independent while reaping the economic rewards of being a sought-after partner. Whether it’s defense technology from the U.S., energy supplies from Russia, or infrastructure investments from Europe, India has positioned itself as a nation everyone wants to do business with.

Conclusion: pro-India, not pro-someone else

India’s foreign policy under Jaishankar is a masterclass in pragmatism. It’s not anti-West or anti-Russia—it’s purely pro-India. By refusing to be dragged into ideological battles, India secures trade deals, energy resources, and global influence, all on its terms.

Jaishankar’s Australia visit was a perfect example of this approach. He didn't compromise India's independent stance while strengthening ties with a key Western ally. In the end, India’s non-aligned, strategic autonomy is not a sign of indecision—it’s a sign of strength.

In a world increasingly divided between East and West, India stands tall as a balancing power, taking the best from both sides without pledging loyalty to either. It’s not about being neutral; it’s about being smart. And in today’s world, that’s the ultimate power move.