Le radici dell’autonomia strategica dell’India

Since its independence, India has adopted a peculiar form of “strategic autonomy” that allowed New Delhi – on the one hand – to balance the confrontation with other Asian powers (Russia and China) and with the neighboring Pakistan, and – on the other hand – to deal with the United States in a pragmatic way. The paper aims to provide an overall picture of the historical elements, theoretical assumptions and geopolitics which influenced Indian strategic autonomy. Through a reasoned analysis of the existing literature, the paper offers an interpretative key of the roots of Indian strategic autonomy, following a few guidelines. Firstly, the implications of cyclical factors on Indian attitude towards the neighborhood. Secondly, the process of formation of a sort of “strategic culture” within the national élites. Last but not least, the theoretical influence of certain texts (Arthaśāstra) and the Vedic tradition on the strategic self-perception of India.