The basic flaw in Indian policy formulation and decision-making has been its misinterpretation of strategic autonomy. India considers itself the natural hegemon and net security provider of the region — which thinks otherwise. There is a massive gap between its strategic ambitions (intent) and its capabilities. This inherent dichotomy in thought and action/capability has led to serious errors of judgement. Earlier, it attacked Pakistan on trumped-up charges and was dealt a telling and humiliating defeat by the redoubtable Pakistani Armed Forces. President Trump intervened and instituted a ceasefire. India erred by withholding the credit due to him. President Trump felt seriously miffed as it sullied his growing reputation as a world-class peacemaker.

Furthermore, India felt that it could run with the hare and hunt with the hound (strategic autonomy?) with abandon. It was a faux pas of the worst order. India thus ended up being a strategic ally of the US, a member of the QUAD and I2U2 alliances, as well as of the Sino-Russia-led SCO and BRICS. However, this Indian position was absolutely untenable. It simply did not have the class, credentials, clout, or heft to have a foot in both rival camps and be accepted as such. Its pantomime came crashing down as the US eventually pulled the rug from under its feet, derided it for importing Russian oil worth billions of dollars and thus, by implication, funding Russian aggression in Ukraine. It then imposed a hefty 50% tariff on its exports to the US. A further 10% tariff might yet be imposed for being........

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