Strategic autonomy is a concept in international relations that defines a state's ability to pursue its national interests and preferred foreign policy without being constrained by external powers or formal alliances. It is not a legal provision or a scheme, but a guiding principle emphasizing freedom of choice in foreign policy.
The quest for this autonomy has its roots in India's post-independence foreign policy, which was initially articulated as Non-Alignment (NAM). NAM was formally established in Belgrade in 1961 and was created to solve the problem of maintaining sovereignty and consolidating territorial integrity during the Cold War's bipolar world, where the US and USSR were the two power centers. The term "strategic autonomy" gained prominence later, with its origin in the post-Cold War era, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, when the world became unipolar under the US.
The mechanism through which it works today is often described as "multi-alignment," which replaced the strict neutrality of Non-Alignment. This involves engaging simultaneously with multiple major powers and regional groupings, such as the US, Russia, and the Quad, based on issue-specific interests. A key mechanism is issue-based cooperation, exemplified by India proceeding with the S-400 deal with Russia despite the threat of US sanctions.
The concept connects directly to the earlier policy of Non-Alignment and the contemporary domestic economic strategy of Atmanirbharta or self-reliance, which is its external complement. It is also linked to India's role as a voice for the Global South.
The concept has changed recently, evolving from the strict non-alignment of the Cold War to the more flexible and pragmatic multi-alignment strategy in the current multipolar world order. The core principle that has stayed the same is the determination to make independent foreign policy and security decisions based on national interests. The recent shift in focus is driven by the need to cope with the challenge posed by China to India's territorial integrity and sovereignty.