India shifts from strategic autonomy to focus on regional connectivity
An opinion piece titled "India's strategic autonomy morphing into a connectivity strategy" was published by Asia Times on June 19, 2026. The article is authored by Raghu Gururaj.
The text states that India pursues an ambition to become a developed economy by the year 2047, which marks the centenary of its independence. According to the author, reliable access to overseas markets has become a strategic imperative for India in pursuit of this economic goal.
Geopolitical fragmentation and nonalignment
The piece notes that geopolitical fragmentation has turned India's often criticized nonalignment into what the author describes as "its most valuable connectivity hedge." The article suggests that recent crises in West Asia have influenced this strategic shift. These reported events include the Gaza war, Red Sea disruptions, and an Iran war involving a Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Joint interest with Iran
The text mentions a joint interest between India and Iran regarding Chabahar Port connectivity. An accompanying image credited to X (Screengrab) illustrates this connection within the context of the article's discussion on regional trade routes.