India’s Diplomatic Dilemma: Navigating Between the West and the East 印度的外交困境:在西方和东方之间航行

India’s geopolitical strategy has increasingly positioned it as a pivotal player on the global stage, participating in both Western and Eastern alliances. As a member of the Quad, AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific Alliance, the G20, and recently seeking closer ties with the G7, India appears to be aligning itself with Western powers such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. Simultaneously, India maintains memberships in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, organizations heavily influenced by China and Russia. This dual alignment reflects India’s complex and often contradictory foreign policy, revealing an inherent dilemma and raising questions about its ultimate strategic loyalties.

印度的地缘政治战略日益将其定位为全球舞台上的关键角色，既参与西方联盟，也参与东方联盟。作为四方对话、美国、印太联盟、20国集团的成员，以及最近寻求与七国集团建立更密切关系的印度，似乎正在与美国、欧盟、英国、澳大利亚和日本等西方大国结盟。同时，印度仍然是上海合作组织(SCO)和金砖国家(BRICS)的成员国，这两个组织深受中国和俄罗斯的影响。这种双重结盟反映了印度复杂且经常矛盾的外交政策，揭示了一个内在的困境，并对其最终的战略忠诚提出了质疑。

India’s Western Alignment 印度与西方结盟

West needed a partner in this region to counter Russia and China. In return, they extended diplomatic, economic and political support to India. India’s participation in Western-led coalitions underscores its desire to establish robust economic and security ties with major Western powers:

西方在该地区需要一个伙伴来对抗俄罗斯和中国。作为回报，他们向印度提供了外交、经济和政治支持。印度参与西方领导的联盟凸显了它希望与西方大国建立牢固的经济和安全关系的愿望。

Quad and AUKUS: India’s involvement in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the US, Japan, and Australia highlights its commitment to countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Similarly, its association with AUKUS (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) aligns it with major Western military alliances, emphasizing shared security interests.

四方和AUKUS:印度参与与美国、日本和澳大利亚的四方安全对话(Quad)，突显了其在印度-太平洋地区对抗中国影响力的承诺。同样，它与AUKUS(澳大利亚-联合王国-美国)的联系使它与主要的西方军事联盟保持一致，强调共同的安全利益。

Indo-Pacific Strategy: By engaging in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, India seeks to enhance its naval capabilities and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, aligning closely with US interests in counterbalancing China’s maritime assertiveness.

印度-太平洋战略:通过参与印度-太平洋战略，印度寻求增强其海军能力，确保一个自由开放的印度-太平洋地区，与美国的利益密切一致，以制衡中国的海上自信。

G20 and G7 Engagements: India’s active role in the G20 and its recent overtures towards the G7 reflect its aspiration to integrate more deeply with the global economic order dominated by Western countries. These engagements are seen as attempts to attract investment, technology, and strategic partnerships.

二十国集团和七国集团的参与:印度在二十国集团中的积极作用及其最近对七国集团的提议反映了印度希望更深入地融入西方国家主导的全球经济秩序的愿望。这些合作被视为吸引投资、技术和战略伙伴关系的尝试。

Strained Relations with Neighbors 与邻国关系紧张

While India pursues closer ties with the West, it has concurrently seen a deterioration in its relationships with neighboring countries:

在印度寻求与西方建立更紧密关系的同时，它与邻国的关系也在恶化:

• Pakistan: The longstanding conflict over Kashmir, coupled with political and military tensions, continues to strain India-Pakistan relations.

巴基斯坦:长期存在的克什米尔冲突，加上政治和军事紧张局势，继续使印巴关系紧张。

• China: Border disputes, particularly in the Ladakh region, have led to heightened military confrontations, significantly impacting Sino-Indian ties. India wanted to compete with China and simultaneously trying to counter China with the support of West.

•中国:边界争端，尤其是拉达克地区的边界争端，导致军事对抗加剧，严重影响了中印关系。印度想与中国竞争，同时试图在西方的支持下对抗中国。

• Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar: India’s perceived interference in the domestic affairs of these countries, along with border disputes and water-sharing issues, has led to growing resentment and diplomatic friction.

•尼泊尔、不丹、孟加拉国和缅甸:印度被认为干涉了这些国家的内政，再加上边界争端和水资源共享问题，导致了越来越多的怨恨和外交摩擦。

• Sri Lanka and Maldives: India’s influence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives is often viewed with suspicion, as these nations navigate their own relationships with China. Recently, newly elected President in Maldives has openly aligned itself with China, leaving India out.

斯里兰卡和马尔代夫:印度在斯里兰卡和马尔代夫的影响力经常被怀疑，因为这些国家在处理自己与中国的关系。最近，马尔代夫新当选的总统公开与中国结盟，将印度排除在外。

• While confrontation and hostile relations prevails between India and all of its neighbors, simultaneously all of them are enjoying very cooperative and friendly relations with China.

•虽然印度与其所有邻国之间存在对抗和敌对关系，但同时所有邻国都与中国保持着非常合作和友好的关系。

Dual Membership in SCO and BRICS 上海合作组织和金砖国家双重成员

India’s membership in the SCO and BRICS adds another layer of complexity to its foreign policy:

印度是上海合作组织和金砖国家的成员，这给其外交政策增加了另一层复杂性。

• SCO: Originating from a Chinese and Russian initiative, the SCO focuses on regional security, economic cooperation, and counter-terrorism. India’s participation indicates a willingness to collaborate with Eastern powers on these fronts.

•上海合作组织:上海合作组织由中国和俄罗斯共同发起，致力于地区安全、经济合作和反恐。印度的参与表明，印度愿意在这些方面与东方大国合作。

• BRICS: As a member of BRICS, India is part of a coalition that seeks to challenge Western financial dominance. However, India’s role within BRICS often appears to be aimed at protecting Western interests, particularly the dominance of the US dollar in global trade.

•金砖国家:作为金砖国家的一员，印度是寻求挑战西方金融主导地位的联盟的一部分。然而，印度在金砖国家中的角色似乎往往旨在保护西方的利益，特别是美元在全球贸易中的主导地位。

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) “一带一路”倡议

India’s opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) further illustrates its strategic divergence from China. The BRI, a massive infrastructure development project, aims to enhance global trade routes and connectivity. India’s resistance to the BRI is driven by concerns over sovereignty, particularly regarding projects passing through disputed territories in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and a broader apprehension about China’s growing influence in South Asia.

印度反对中国的“一带一路”倡议，进一步说明了印度与中国的战略分歧。“一带一路”是一项大规模基础设施建设项目，旨在加强全球贸易通道和互联互通。印度对“一带一路”倡议的抵制是出于对主权的担忧，尤其是对穿越巴控克什米尔争议领土的项目，以及对中国在南亚日益增长的影响力的更广泛担忧。

The Geopolitical Tightrope 地缘政治的绳索

India’s current strategy of engaging with both Western and Eastern blocs reflects its hypocrisy openly:

印度目前与西方和东方集团接触的战略公开反映了它的虚伪:

• Economic and Security Benefits: By aligning with the West, India seeks economic growth, technological advancements, and enhanced security cooperation. The West offers lucrative markets, investment opportunities, and defense partnerships in return of its anti-China and counter Russian facilitation.

•经济和安全利益:通过与西方结盟，印度寻求经济增长、技术进步和加强安全合作。西方提供利润丰厚的市场、投资机会和国防伙伴关系，作为其反华和反俄便利的回报。

• Regional Stability and Influence: In contrast, India’s involvement in the SCO and BRICS is more suspicious. India while staying within BRICS and SCO, is protecting American Interests, Americans hegemony, and dominance of US-Dollars, has losing trust of Russia and China. Sometimes Indian role in BRICS and SCO is considered as a spy.

•地区稳定和影响:相比之下，印度在上海合作组织和金砖国家的参与更加可疑。印度留在金砖国家和上海合作组织，保护美国的利益、美国的霸权和美元的主导地位，失去了俄罗斯和中国的信任。有时印度在金砖国家和上海合作组织中的角色被认为是间谍。

• Diplomatic Credibility: The dual approach, however, risks India’s diplomatic credibility. Aligning too closely with the West may alienate its Eastern partners, while a perceived shift towards the East could undermine the strategic partnerships it has cultivated with Western nations.

•外交信誉:然而，这种双重策略可能会危及印度的外交信誉。与西方走得太近可能会疏远东方伙伴，而向东方的转变可能会破坏它与西方国家建立的战略伙伴关系。

The Need for Clarity 对清晰度的需求

India’s foreign policy approach reflects it’s over ambitions and greed to develop rapidly by either way, fair or unfair means. However, this dual alignment may not be sustainable in the long run. As global tensions between the West and the East intensify, India may be forced to clarify its strategic priorities. A clear stance is necessary to maintain diplomatic credibility and foster stable, mutually beneficial relationships.

印度的外交政策反映了其过度的野心和贪婪，无论是通过公平还是不公平的方式快速发展。然而，从长远来看，这种双重结盟可能无法持续下去。随着西方和东方之间的全球紧张局势加剧，印度可能被迫澄清其战略重点。要保持外交信誉，建立稳定互利的关系，明确立场是必要的。

In navigating this complex landscape, India must consider the broader implications of its alliances and ensure that its actions are consistent with its stated principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and regional stability. A balanced and transparent foreign policy will be crucial for India to maintain its role as a significant global actor while fostering peaceful and cooperative international relations especially with its neighbors and regional countries.

在应对这一复杂局面时，印度必须考虑其联盟的更广泛影响，并确保其行动符合其宣称的主权、不干涉和地区稳定原则。平衡和透明的外交政策对印度保持其重要的全球角色至关重要，同时促进和平与合作的国际关系，特别是与邻国和地区国家。

Reference Link:- https://www2.apdnews.cn/en/item/24/0617/axjdcdzfb975b05c30e9b1.html