India’s New Strategy: Connect or Collapse

India is changing its foreign policy. The old idea of “strategic autonomy”—staying independent from global powers—is becoming a “connectivity strategy.” The goal is simple: secure trade routes. By 2047, India wants to be a developed economy. That requires reliable access to overseas markets. But recent crises in West Asia are a warning. The Gaza war, Red Sea attacks, the Iran war, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have all disrupted supply chains. These events show how fragile global trade can be. India is now focusing on building and protecting physical links. This means ports, roads, and railways that connect it to key regions. The Chabahar Port in Iran is one example. This shift is not about choosing sides. It is about survival. Without stable connections, India’s economic dream is at risk.