Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message on India’s foreign policy during the NDTV Defence Summit 2025, declaring that in global geopolitics there are “no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.” His remarks came at a time when New Delhi is navigating escalating trade frictions with Washington, alongside strategic realignments in Asia.
According to Singh, the growing tariff war and external pressures are testing India’s resilience but will only make the country stronger. “The more pressure is put on Delhi, the more robust it will emerge,” he said, underlining India’s determination to uphold strategic autonomy.
The backdrop to Singh’s comments is the decision by the United States to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move, combining standard and penal duties, affects Indian textiles, gems, seafood, and furniture exports. New Delhi has termed the step “unfair and unreasonable”, but has avoided tit-for-tat retaliation.
Instead, India is recalibrating its diplomatic approach. Singh stressed that New Delhi will not allow any single power to dictate terms. “Our relationships are guided by the interests of the nation and its people. We are committed to engagement, but we will never compromise sovereignty for short-term gains,” he said.
Strategic Rebalancing With Asia
In recent weeks, India has reopened direct flights with China, intensified contacts within BRICS, and strengthened trade and defense ties with Russia. Singh hinted that such moves were part of a broader “multipolar approach” rather than a sudden pivot.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India later this year is expected to cement energy and defense partnerships, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the SCO Summit in Tianjin will put him in direct dialogue with President Xi Jinping.
Japan Steps Forward as Key Partner
India has also looked to Japan as a strategic partner to offset economic disruptions. At the Tokyo summit, Prime Minister Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed on deepened cooperation in defense, high-speed rail, artificial intelligence, and space. Tokyo pledged around ¥10 trillion (US $67.9 billion) in private sector investments in India.
Singh welcomed this development, saying it highlighted India’s ability to build enduring partnerships across Asia based on “shared prosperity and security.”
Domestic Debate Over Tariffs
The U.S. tariffs have sparked heated reactions at home. Opposition leaders, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accused the Modi government of being too soft on Washington. Singh dismissed such criticism, reiterating that India would stay firm in its course of strategic autonomy while defending national interests on all fronts.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee’s slide to record lows and mounting export concerns are being monitored closely by the Reserve Bank of India. Singh reassured that the government is prepared to shield key sectors and protect jobs, while exploring new markets to absorb the shock.
India’s Message to the World
Singh’s address carried a broader warning—that India will not be cornered by great power rivalry. “We will cooperate where interests align, and we will push back where they do not. This is the essence of realpolitik,” he told the summit audience, which included diplomats, military officials, and global analysts.
Observers say Singh’s articulation reflects a deliberate shift in New Delhi’s tone: firm, pragmatic, and designed to underline India’s arrival as an independent pole in the international order.
