India is navigating a complex global landscape, balancing strategic autonomy with new opportunities as it enters 2026. The past year saw turbulence from shifting US policy, recalibrated alliances, and economic challenges, prompting India to rely more on its own resilience. The relationship with the US has become more transactional, with the second Trump administration prioritizing domestic industry, leading to trade sanctions and tariffs that have unsettled India's strategic outlook. This shift from strategic alignment to transactional ties represents a significant recalibration for India's foreign policy.