India's Multi-Alignment Foreign Policy

India's approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict exemplifies its multi-alignment strategy — maintaining strategic relationships with competing power blocs without formally aligning with either side. This builds on India's historical Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) legacy but is more pragmatic and interest-driven. India has abstained on most UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Simultaneously, India has deepened economic and defence ties with the US through frameworks like the Quad, iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, launched January 2023), and BECA, LEMOA, and COMCASA foundational defence agreements. India's crude oil purchases from Russia, combined with its growing defence and technology partnership with the US, illustrate the practical application of multi-alignment — maximising benefits from both relationships without being constrained by either.