![Prime Minister Narendra Modi with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at an official event. [Photo Courtesy: Praveen Jain via The Print].](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20-scaled-e1755601883425-1024x576-1.webp "The Facade of Indian Strategic Autonomy")
The Facade of Indian Strategic Autonomy
Abdul Basit
February 19, 2026
India’s strategic autonomy faces pressure as US trade leverage, energy dependence, and defence ties test New Delhi’s balancing doctrine.
India’s strategic autonomy faces pressure as US trade leverage, energy dependence, and defence ties test New Delhi’s balancing doctrine.
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WLF signs a deal with Pakistan’s Crypto Council to boost blockchain, stablecoin adoption, and DeFi in the country.
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Pakistani Finance Minister Aurangzeb discusses energy, reforms, and critical minerals with Deloitte and IFC at WB/IMF meetings.
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US threatens Harvard with foreign student ban and funding cuts over refusal to meet White House antisemitism demands.
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China rejects Trump’s “tariff numbers game” as meaningless amid WTO, UNCTAD warnings of declining global trade and growth.