Sreeram Chaulia's latest book, Friends: India's Closest Strategic Partners, stands apart from other works on Indian foreign, economic and security policy in the 21st century. It brings together, in one treatise, not only the doctrines at play but also the variegated dynamics of seven case studies of India's valuable friends to illuminate the opportunities and challenges, larger purposes and thrust of India as a rising power.
Chaulia explains the intricacies of India's vital bilateral partnerships with Japan, Australia, USA, Russia, France, Israel and the UAE in the context of India's ambition and ascent as a "great power to be" or a leading power. The title, Friends, and the author's usage of Kautilya's characterisation of friendships in the epigraph are intriguing. But then Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken of India as a Vishwamitra, or friend to the world, and so this seems apt.
Can two countries be friends the way two individuals can be? Chaulia draws parallels, pointing out that a strategic partnership is akin to a live-in relationship and that an alliance evokes the exclusivity and commitments of a rigid marriage. Strategic partnerships give both sides benefits but also accord space to each side to pursue other friendships, as long as those are not inimical to the two sides' interests. Therein lies the crux. They must have each other's backs.
Recent developments in Bangladesh and controversies over harbouring and encouraging violent extremists against India are tests of India's strategic partnerships and highlight the need to draw some red lines, even given the tectonic shifts possible when governments change in democracies like USA. How strategic partners of India navigate relationships with Pakistan or China in terms of countering terrorism and checking threats to India's territorial integrity and security also calls for maturity and restraint.
This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 04, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India debut on the cards for McIlroy in $5mn event
The iconic Delhi Golf Club (DGC) is set to host a $5 million DP World Tour event in October with former world No. 1 and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy likely in attendance, making the upcoming Rolex Series event the most expensive golf tournament—in terms of prize money—ever hosted by the country.
Tottenham Take 1-0 Lead vs Reds in Semis First-Leg
Newcastle United Beat Arsenal 2-0 Away in the First Leg of the Other Semi-Final on Tuesday
With Ghosal by her side, Anahat taking steady steps
By her own admission, Anahat Singh did not play her best squash at the British Junior Open, a prestigious junior tournament she won for the third time this week as its U-17 champion.
Inflation Likely Eased to 5.3% in Dec: Mint Poll
India's retail inflation likely moderated to a four-month low of 5.3% in December, down from 5.5% in November, driven by the seasonal decline in food prices, according to the median estimate of 25 economists in a Mint poll.
Trudeau's successor expected by early March
Canada could get its successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by the first week of March so the person has enough time to prepare before Parliament meets in the last week of the month.
NHPC seeks to buy out co-promoter in PTC
MOVE WILL HELP NHPC EXPAND POWER TRADING BUSINESS; CO WON'T ACQUIRE FINANCE UNIT
Extreme weather fuelling LA's wildfires
No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA (Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency). This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe! DONALD TRUMP, US President-elect
Actors, Celebrities Flee as Hollywood Events Scrapped
No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA [Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency]. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks Joe! Donald Trump, US President-elect
Why India Wants To Repair Ties With Kabul
The meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and the Taliban's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai was significant because it marked the highest level of engagement so far by the Indian side with the regime in Kabul since the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Delivery Claims Versus Identity Politics in Delhi
Ten years after winning office, the AAP faces voter fatigue and a BJP eager to repeat its general election performance
