India has once again underscored its independent foreign policy approach in response to international security dynamics, notably Japan’s recent proposal of an “Asian NATO.” Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, suggested the formation of a strategic military alliance in the region to counter growing threats, particularly from China.
However, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, made it clear that India does not share the vision of such a collective defense framework, reaffirming India’s longstanding policy of maintaining strategic autonomy.
In a recent statement, Jaishankar remarked, “We have never been a treaty ally of any country. We don’t have that strategic architecture in mind.” His comments came in response to growing discussions around Japan’s push for a more formalized military alliance among like-minded countries in Asia, modeled after NATO, to counterbalance regional security threats.
While India shares common concerns over regional security and the rise of China, Jaishankar’s statement emphasizes the Indian government’s refusal to be drawn into an alliance-based approach.
India’s foreign policy has always been guided by its principle of non-alignment and, more recently, strategic autonomy. This policy allows India to engage with multiple nations on its own terms, avoiding entanglement in military alliances that could limit its freedom of action.
Unlike many global powers, India has historically refrained from becoming part of formalized military pacts such as NATO, preferring to pursue independent bilateral and multilateral relationships.
Japan’s proposal for an “Asian NATO” reflects its increasing concern over China’s assertive posture in the East and South China Seas and the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. For Japan, a multilateral military alliance offers a structured response to these challenges, providing collective defense and enhanced deterrence in the region.
While India shares concerns about China’s rise and has participated in various security dialogues with Japan, including the Quad, it has maintained a clear distinction in how it views these partnerships. India sees them as forums for cooperation, capacity building, and coordination on shared challenges, rather than as a precursor to a formal military alliance.
The strategic imperatives for India differ significantly from Japan due to India’s broader regional concerns, such as Pakistan, its complex relationship with China, and its distinct neighborhood strategy involving South Asia.
At the heart of India’s foreign policy is the desire to preserve its strategic autonomy. Over the decades, India has cultivated a reputation as a country that makes its decisions based on its own national interests, rather than aligning with any one bloc or power.
This approach was shaped during the Cold War when India pioneered the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to stay outside the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Although the global order has since evolved, India’s commitment to this principle remains steadfast.
India’s modern foreign policy is also influenced by the evolving nature of its security challenges, which require flexibility and the ability to engage with multiple partners without the constraints of formal alliance commitments.
As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, India is positioning itself as a major power with a unique voice, one that is not bound by the military blocs that defined the 20th century.
