RiseOfWords 
Source: https://www.indianera.com/government/taranjit-singh-sandhu-indias-new-ambassador-to-us/
Pamu: Finally, the USA has become a true friend of India. What do you think, Viru?
Vur: Ha, you can say so.
Pamu: Whatever you say, Russia and USA have been true friends of India, regardless of their conflictual bilateral relations.
Vir: Your statement is not valid in the context of geopolitics.
Pamu: And, why is that so?
Vir: Because there is no permanent friend nor enemy in international relations.
Pamu: But, Russia has been friends with India since independence. Am I wrong?
Vir: I don’t know. Each person has a perception. Hence I will not judge you. You better judge yourself after our discussion.
Pamu: OK, then. Let’s start. Tell me why there are neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies in international politics.
Vir: One simple answer to your question is that international relations are dominated by national interest.
Pamu: But, why is it so?
Vir: We can give several reasons for it.
Like, humans are driven by self-interest, nations too are dominated by it. Secondly, nations are driven by the desire to acquire power.
Pamu: Why power?
Vir: Because it is associated with survival. Survival is a very powerful motivation. Without survival, there can be no experience of life and the pleasures associated with it.
Pamu: OK, agreed. But, what it has got to do with friends or enemies in geopolitics?
Vir: It has got a lot to do.
Panu: How?
Vir: As I said, nations are dominated by national interest. To fulfill that interest nations will go to any extent.
Now, look you were talking about Russia. Certainly, it is one of the best friends that India has got. Indeed, it has stood with as did India on several fronts as did India. Take the case of the Ukraine crisis. Despite huge pressure from western countries, India did not budge. India refused to criticize Russia.
Pamu: Hmm…that is what I am saying.
Vir: Yes.. but that is not the whole picture.
Pamu: what does it mean?
Vir: For instance look at the 1962 India-China war…
If you analyze Russia or the then USSR’s stand, then you will realize what I wanted to say.
In that war, USSR did not help India, rather it criticized India. On the contrary, UDS sent help, though it never reached. USSR held that if India is a friend then China is a brother. It was enough indication for us.
Pamu: Ohhh …I didn’t know that.
Vir: On the other hand there can never be a one-sided friendship in geopolitics. There is no free lunch, and not in the case of the India-Russia relationship.
Pamu: How is that so?
Vir: Look the basis of our relationship is a defense partnership. India needs Russia for its defense equipment, and Russia needs India for the market for its defense equipment. This is one aspect, but there are many dependencies.
That is why the relationship is sustaining.
Pamu: isn’t it wrong?
Vir: Look I prefer not to apply our conceptions of right and wrong to geopolitics. I don’t criticize Russia. The simple reason is that Russia is a country like ours and seeks to promote its national interest.
I am of the firm opinion that, we too, prefer not to be bothered by such consideration of right and wrong. We should run our policies purely with national interest in mind.
Pamu: Then what about the USA? What is it that made the USA befriend India?
Vir: Same reason… national interest.
Pamu: How?
Vir: It is deep… but I will tell you in short.
Pamu: OK, tell. For now, that will be enough for me.
Vir: OK. Look USA’s prosperity is dependent on its global hegemony. If not then at least its ability to influence geopolitics in its favor.
Now, it is being challenged by rising China.
Pamu: How is that?
Vir: China seeks to replace the USA as a hegemon. It wishes to be at the center of the world. In short, China aims to create sino-centric world order.
If that happens then, USA’s dominance will reduce and its prosperity as well.
Now look at China, it will overtake the USA as the largest economy. It is already the largest one in terms of purchasing power parity terms.
As China will grow rich it will commit more to the military, technology, and other aspects.
Pamu: Ha.. but what it has got to do with the India-USA relationship.
Vir: a lot… So you still haven’t got it, have you?
Look, the USA has almost accepted that China is a strategic challenge to the USA. And it seems beyond its capacity to contain its rise considering the globalized world.
Pamu: Haa.. so it needs a partner to share the burden.
Vir: True. Hence there is increased warmth in the relationship between India and the USA. It can be seen in several agreements, especially defense-related agreements.
On the other, it is also true that China is a challenge to India.
Pamu: So, what should be the strategy for India?
Vir: India should be driven by its self-interest. It should try to seek the best from both Russia as well as from the USA.
We should avoid entrapment at all costs. We should keep in mind the goal to increase our national power. We should also be ready for the China challenge.
Pamu: But how long will this work?
Vir: Look, as long as China is a challenge, the India-USA relationship will deepen. But if China’s challenge is done with then there will be a departure.
Pamu: Then, what is the way forward?
Vir: The best thing in this scenario is to be driven by our nation’s interest. Use best from all sides. We should never commit to anyone and be obligated to any. For we should keep in mind the wisdom of Kaurilya, who held ” geopolitics is like the jungle, where the strength of lion prevails” and India is no exception to that rule.
