India after Nonalignment

The Quest to Become a Pole in International Politics

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The deep roots of India’s changing role in international affairs

In 1947, India’s adoption of a strategy of nonalignment was primarily seen as a way to preserve the country’s sovereignty and independence amid Cold War rivalry. But what if preservation was actually ambition?

India After Nonalignment traces the history and evolution of India’s foreign policy to uncover a century-old aspiration: the nation’s ambition to become a distinct pole—a centre of power, norms, and geopolitical activity—in a multipolar world. Using a fresh conceptual framework, Jacob examines how India’s old nonalignment policy, ongoing aversion to military alliances, and recent enactment of strategic autonomy have collectively been driven by this deeply rooted desire to become a consequential and unique actor in foreign affairs. He discusses India’s paradigm shift from a reactive posture to a proactive role in shaping international norms and culture, the balance of power, and the future implications of these aspirations for its foreign policy behaviour.

As the country’s growing power and geopolitical significance make its ambitions more explicit, Jacob provides the perspective necessary for scholars, students, and other readers interested in international relations and South Asian studies to better understand how India perceives its journey in the international system.