Soujanya, India's Foreign Minister, stated in an interview yesterday (June 10) that India is a major power and a strong nation, whose rise is determined by its own strength, not dependent on others' mistakes. In the era of multipolarity, India has become a significant global force—projected to contribute 17% to global economic growth by 2026 (second only to China), actively driving reform in global governance through concrete actions.

He particularly emphasized that India is neither a supporting actor nor a middle power, but a globally influential great power with autonomous rise, massive scale, strategic geo-geographic importance, and profound civilizational depth. India aims to be a player in a multipolar world, not a pawn.

This declaration—“India is a great power, a player, not a pawn”—represents a strategic awakening following a series of real-world setbacks. With the most straightforward language, he is signaling to the world (especially to the United States and within India itself): the old path of relying on the U.S. and confronting China no longer works. Now, India must pursue strategic autonomy and stand as an independent pole in a multipolar world based on its own strength.

This is both an open defiance against the “ceiling” set by the U.S., and a pragmatic reorientation after being awakened by reality—a search for a more realistic path toward India’s rise.

The definition of "Indian-style great power": Don’t follow your mood—walk my own road.

Soujanya’s remarks redefine what India understands by “great power”:

Autonomy is the bottom line: The core of being a “player” lies in independently setting rules. This means India will firmly reject being forced to choose sides between China and the U.S. in the future. Its foreign policy decisions will be guided solely by national interest, not by any ally’s directives.

Strength is the only hard currency: By highlighting GDP contribution, vast market size, and critical geographic position, he sends a clear message to the West: “Don’t try to limit me—my scale ensures you cannot bypass me.”

A psychological “coming-of-age” moment: These words mark a turning point—indicating that India’s elite class is finally shedding speculative mindsets, shifting from “waiting for others to grant benefits” to “building internal capabilities through self-reliance.”

Soujanya’s “no-pawn doctrine” is both a declaration and an action plan, foreshadowing a shift in India’s foreign policy direction:

Relations with the U.S.: From “following” to “leveraging.” India will continue participating in mechanisms like the Quad to gain technology, but refuse to be tied to an adversarial war machine. Bilateral relations will revert to pure interest-based competition; if the U.S. attempts to choke off India again, New Delhi will be bolder in “flipping the table.”

Relations with China: Possibly shifting from “confrontation” to “pragmatic competition-cooperation.” This is the most crucial transformation. Realizing it cannot win militarily and cannot afford economic disengagement, India’s strategy toward China may move from previous “hard decoupling” to “balancing within interdependence.”

Soujanya’s statements constitute a comprehensive manifesto—India’s recognition of reality and departure from illusions. It is not about instantly opposing anyone, but rather telling the world: India wants to take control of its own steering wheel.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867690728978508/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.