Navigating the Indo-Pacific: The Evolution of Indias 21st Century Foreign Policy

India’s foreign policy in the 21st century has pivoted decisively toward the Indo-Pacific, transforming from peripheral interests to a core strategic domain amid China’s maritime assertiveness, U.S.-led rebalancing, and the quest for a multipolar order. This paper navigates the evolution of India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, rooted in the 2014 “Act East” policy and amplified through doctrinal innovations like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which emphasize maritime security, economic connectivity, and inclusive regional architecture.Central to this evolution are deepened strategic partnerships. The India-U.S. nexus, fortified by COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020), and Malabar exercises, aligns on countering revisionism India-Japan ties leverage infrastructure synergies in Southeast Asia and Quad frameworks, while India-Australia collaboration institutionalizes defense and maritime cooperation. Conversely, India-China relations oscillate between economic interdependence and border frictions, compelling diversification.Opportunities abound in digital diplomacy, renewable energy corridors, G20-led norm-setting on climate and technology, and expanded development aid to littoral states, enhancing soft power. Yet, challenges persist: balancing strategic autonomy against alliance entrapment, bridging military capability gaps, mitigating economic vulnerabilities like trade imbalances, and overcoming trust deficits in Southeast Asia.Ultimately, India’s adaptive approach—blending bilateral minilaterals, multilateral engagement, and self-reliant modernization—positions it as a net security provider. By addressing these tensions, India can champion an equitable, rules-based Indo-Pacific, with profound implications for global governance in the decades ahead.