Strategic Autonomy and India's Foreign Policy Towards the GCC, Israel and Iran: Exploring the Kautilyan Foreign Policy Principles

This dissertation argues that between 1992 and 2022, India's foreign policy towards the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Israel, and Iran was guided by a continuous pursuit of strategic autonomy—a principle deeply rooted in Kautilyan foreign policy principles. Regional intra- and inter-rivalries between the GCC, Israel, and Iran, along with domestic concerns such as energy security, political pressures, business interests, and external geopolitical factors from the U.S., Pakistan, and China, certainly impacted decision-making. However, this study demonstrates that India's approach remained deliberate, proactive, and primarily driven by internal balancing efforts aimed at maximizing national power and preserving its strategic autonomy. Kautilya's foreign policy insights provide a fresh lens to understand India's pursuit of strategic autonomy and its simultaneous management of partnerships with the GCC, Israel, and Iran. Specifically, the principles of Saptanga (internal balancing over external balancing), Samavaya (pragmatic strategic partnerships), Asana (non-entanglement), and the balance between Artha (economic power) and Dharma (ethical governance) are integral to comprehending India's nuanced foreign policy approach. Samavaya explains India's fluid and purpose-driven alliances, while Asana illustrates how India navigated a complex web of relations with these key regional actors without entangling itself in broader regional conflicts. The research findings highlight the enduring relevance of Kautilyan principles in today's multipolar world, where, much like in Kautilya's era, West Asia is shaped by power rivalries and security concerns, making these strategies crucial for navigating its complexities.