Over the past eight months, India has launched an unusually intense wave of international agreements, signing major deals across multiple regions in what appears to be a deliberate global economic and strategic expansion. From Cyprus in mid-2025 to the United Kingdom soon after, followed by agreements with the European Free Trade Association countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — and later Oman, New Zealand, the European Union, the United States, Malaysia, and Greece, the pace of engagement has been striking. Negotiations with Brazil and Canada are also progressing, reinforcing the perception that India is positioning itself at the center of a rapidly evolving global order.
This surge in agreements is not a sudden policy shift but the acceleration of a long-term transformation. For decades, India maintained a cautious approach toward opening its markets, balancing domestic protection with selective liberalization. That gradual evolution is now converging with a global moment in which many economies are seeking alternatives to China-centric supply chains. The emerging “China-plus-one” strategy has created an opportunity for India to present itself as a credible manufacturing, investment, and geopolitical partner, particularly for Western economies seeking diversification.
At the same time, India’s ambitions extend beyond economics. The country aims to strengthen its role as a key Indo-Pacific actor and a strategic partner capable of cooperating with multiple power centers without formal alignment. This approach reflects a broader doctrine of strategic autonomy — engaging widely while preserving policy independence.
One of the most significant developments within this diplomatic push is the deepening defense cooperation between India and Greece. A joint declaration on defense industrial collaboration and a bilateral military cooperation roadmap for 2026 formalized growing ties between the two countries. Naval exercises in the Mediterranean, including anti-submarine warfare components, signaled an expansion of operational engagement. The partnership carries added importance because India and Greece sit at opposite ends of the proposed India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a connectivity initiative designed to link South Asia with Europe through integrated sea and land routes while reducing dependence on traditional chokepoints such as the Suez Canal.
Greece’s port of Piraeus, a major entry point into Europe, is central to this vision. However, Chinese state ownership stakes in the port create strategic sensitivities. Strengthening political trust with Greece allows India to mitigate potential vulnerabilities while ensuring more reliable access to European markets. The cooperation therefore carries both economic and geopolitical dimensions, including shared interests in maritime security and rules-based international norms.
Defense exports also form part of the relationship. India has supplied rocket systems and armored platforms to Greece and reportedly discussed cruise missile cooperation, potentially opening the European market to Indian defense manufacturing for the first time. This development reflects India’s broader effort to expand its indigenous defense industry and reduce reliance on imports.
Parallel to its European engagement, India has negotiated major trade arrangements with the European Union and the United States. The EU agreement, often described as one of the most consequential trade frameworks India has pursued, provides preferential access to a vast single market. Shortly afterward, an interim trade arrangement with the United States reduced reciprocal tariffs while outlining future cooperation across energy, technology, agriculture, and digital commerce.
Notably, subsequent revisions to official documentation softened several commitments attributed to India. Binding language was replaced with non-obligatory terminology, preserving policy flexibility. Sensitive sectors such as agricultural staples remained protected, and India retained autonomy over digital taxation policies applied to multinational technology companies. These adjustments highlight India’s negotiating strategy — expanding trade access while safeguarding domestic priorities.
Concerns about potential impacts on farmers have circulated domestically, but the agreements remain preliminary and phased. The structure suggests calibrated liberalization rather than abrupt exposure to foreign competition, reflecting the political and economic importance of India’s agricultural sector.
The geopolitical context surrounding these deals is equally significant. Competition with China remains an underlying factor, but India’s positioning is not framed solely as rivalry. Instead, the country presents itself as a reliable alternative partner for nations seeking economic cooperation without excessive dependency. Uncertainty in traditional alliances — particularly tensions between Western powers — has further elevated India’s relevance.
Energy diplomacy illustrates the complexity of India’s balancing strategy. The country has benefited economically from importing discounted Russian oil, yet it also seeks stronger ties with the United States and other suppliers. Any shift in energy sourcing carries economic implications due to transportation costs and pricing differentials, making policy decisions highly strategic rather than ideological.
Relations with Canada provide another example of India’s evolving partnerships. After a period of diplomatic strain, renewed engagement under new leadership has revived prospects for cooperation. The broader concept of middle-power collaboration — countries working together without reliance on dominant superpowers — aligns closely with India’s multi-alignment doctrine. India’s expanding network of trade agreements demonstrates how such cooperation can function in practice.
Meanwhile, India’s relationship with China remains characterized by cautious stabilization. Border disengagement measures have reduced immediate tensions, yet both sides continue infrastructure development and military modernization near disputed areas, indicating preparation for potential contingencies. The relationship therefore combines competition, deterrence, and limited cooperation.
Ultimately, India’s foreign policy trajectory suggests an aspiration not for traditional hegemonic dominance but for influence grounded in partnership. The country seeks recognition as a leading power while maintaining an image of inclusivity and cooperative growth. This approach reflects civilizational narratives emphasizing coexistence alongside pragmatic considerations of security and economic advancement.
The current wave of agreements signals that India has entered a new phase in its global engagement — one defined by proactive diplomacy, diversified partnerships, and strategic positioning within a multipolar world. Whether this momentum translates into sustained superpower status will depend on economic performance, technological advancement, and the ability to manage complex geopolitical relationships simultaneously. However, the direction is clear: India is moving from cautious participant to central actor in shaping the emerging international order.
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