In an era of deep global interdependence, foreign policy autonomy is no longer a binary choice between alignment and non-alignment. It is a dynamic capability: preserving national decision-space while remaining embedded in dense networks of trade, finance, technology, and security cooperation. This paper develops an India-centric analysis of autonomy under interdependence and asks how India can maximise strategic autonomy without incurring prohibitive economic and diplomatic costs. It proposes a three-part framework—decision-space under pressure, diversification against asymmetric dependence, and rule-shaping capacity—and connects it to official Government of India indicators of external integration (merchandise trade and FDI inflows). Findings suggest that autonomy is strengthened when India diversifies partners, builds resilience in critical technologies and supply chains, and engages in rules entrepreneurship in digital governance, climate and energy security, and Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation. The paper concludes with a concise policy roadmap for resilience-oriented openness and institutionalised economic security.
Asst. Prof. Onkar Korwale (Mon,) studied this question.