Balancing acts

India keeps its foreign policy independent and flexible

United States (US) President Joe Biden’s decision to not come as chief guest at the 2024 Republic Day parade is indicative of a challenging phase in Indo-US ties. Notably, Mr Biden did not offer a specific reason for not coming. In 1994, Bill Clinton as President declined Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao’s invitation, citing preoccupation with the State of the Union address. In 2018, Donald Trump also declined on account of domestic commitments. Mr Biden’s refusal comes soon after Washington accused New Delhi of a plot to assassinate US-based Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

As a result, India had to