CFR Says India’s 2026 Multialignment Strategy Will Endure as U.S. Tensions Persist
Updated
Updated · Council on Foreign Relations · May 11
CFR Says India’s 2026 Multialignment Strategy Will Endure as U.S. Tensions Persist
1 articles · Updated · Council on Foreign Relations · May 11
A CFR analysis argues India will keep pursuing multialignment—building ties with multiple major powers—because it best protects its strategic autonomy and supports a more multipolar, representative global order.
The report says that strategy is rooted in India’s postcolonial identity and long push for greater voice in institutions such as the UN, IMF and World Bank, rather than in ideological neutrality.
It cites India’s parallel partnerships with the United States, France, Russia and Israel, plus roles in BRICS, the Quad and the SCO, as evidence that New Delhi balances among rival blocs instead of joining one.
Recent strains with Washington still fit that pattern: the paper points to Trump-era tariffs, friction over Russian oil, BRICS and the 2026 U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which has hurt India’s energy and shipping interests.
CFR concludes the United States is unlikely to make India subordinate to U.S. priorities and should instead work with New Delhi where interests overlap, including Asia’s balance, counterterrorism, supply chains and climate resilience.
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India’s Multialignment in 2026: Balancing Global Power Rivalries, Energy Shocks, and Domestic Constraints
Overview
In 2026, India’s multialignment strategy faces tough tests as it navigates a complex geopolitical landscape. Delhi must carefully balance its relationships with major global powers and regional blocs, especially under direct pressure from the United States and amid a volatile Middle East. The US has openly expressed concerns about India’s rising economic power, signaling a reluctance to let India become a commercial rival. These challenges force India to rethink its approach, seeking to maintain strategic autonomy while managing competing interests and crises on multiple fronts.