India's "My Way or the Highway" Diplomacy

The aggressive backlash from Indian media and political figures following Washington’s attempt to broker a ceasefire with Pakistan reveals a nation seemingly unwilling to accommodate perspectives that diverge from its own strategic objectives. This rigid “my way or the highway” approach to diplomacy raises serious questions about India’s reliability as a partner on the global stage and its commitment to genuine collaborations.

Ungrateful Ally? India’s Hostile Rejection of Peace Efforts

The notion of India as an “ungrateful ally” gains credence as it unleashes criticism against the US for simply advocating for a ceasefire. This hostile reaction, particularly considering the value President Trump reportedly placed on this peace gesture, suggests diplomatic arrogance. New Delhi’s apparent failure to acknowledge any positive role played by the US underscores a self-serving agenda that prioritizes its combative stance over genuine efforts towards regional stability. Furthermore, Iran also faced scathing criticism in Indian media for its attempt to facilitate a ceasefire, with a prominent Indian media personality directly verbally abusing the Iranian foreign minister on live television.

Strategic Opportunism: India’s Pattern of Self-Serving Foreign Policy

Pakistan’s long and painful history as a direct victim of India’s alleged covert operations and relentless misinformation campaigns provides irrefutable evidence of a consistent pattern of disruptive behavior emanating from New Delhi. Islamabad’s repeated calls for caution to the international community regarding engagement with India are not born of mere animosity, but from a deeply ingrained understanding of India’s strategic opportunism and history of perceived betrayals. This well-documented track record should serve as an unequivocal warning to any nation contemplating partnership with India, starkly exposing a foreign policy driven primarily by self-interest, often at the expense of regional stability and the trust of its neighbors.

India’s impudence: Audacious Embrace of Sanctioned States

India’s actions on the international stage further erode its credibility as a trustworthy partner. Its stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, characterized by increased oil and defense trade despite US pressure and global sanctions, demonstrates a blatant disregard for allied concerns. While India’s Western allies imposed sanctions on Russia for violating Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, bilateral trade between Russia and India reached a record high of $65 billion. Similarly, India’s continued oil imports from Iran, flouting US sanctions under the guise of energy security, and its repeated abstentions on UN resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression expose a moral ambiguity that contradicts the image of a responsible democratic partner. Even the collaboration on the Chabahar Port project with Iran, despite clear US reservations, points towards a pattern of prioritizing self-interest over allied sensitivities.

New Delhi’s Diplomatic Arrogance: Snubbing Friends, Embracing Rivals

The S-400 deal with Russia, pursued despite US threats under CAATSA – sanctions imposed on others for similar actions – underscores New Delhi’s audacious disregard for Western security concerns. The subsequent reported smear campaign against President Trump in Indian media appears to be a shocking display of ingratitude, a stark affront to a nation that has often accommodated India’s interests. Adding to this, recent statements by the Indian foreign minister regarding European diplomacy have been perceived by many in Europe as undiplomatic. For example, in a recent speech, he strongly criticized Europe, stating that India seeks “partners, not preachers.”

The repeated abstentions in the UN on Ukraine resolutions are not mere neutrality; they represent a refusal to stand in solidarity with Western partners on a matter of fundamental international law. This “moral ambiguity” casts serious doubt on India’s commitment to the democratic values it often espouses. The swiftness with which Prime Minister Modi’s government reportedly mobilized the Indian media and political apparatus against a former close ally reveals a troubling transactional approach to international relationships.

The Price of Partnership? India’s Consistent Undermining of Allied Interests

Ultimately, India’s consistent undermining of allied interests, from Afghanistan to Europe, coupled with its hostile reaction to a US-brokered ceasefire, paints a picture of a nation driven by hyper-nationalism and strategic unreliability. This pattern should serve as a crucial “eye-opener for the West,” exposing the self-centered calculus that appears to underpin India’s democratic facade. The evidence suggests that engaging with India entails constantly navigating its narrow interests and a potential for perceived betrayal, making it a questionable “partner” for those seeking genuine and reciprocal alliances.

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South Asia Times

India’s “My Way or the Highway” Diplomacy