And now, even the US is quietly copying it. Remember when the world called India ‘non-aligned’ or ‘hesitant’? Today, Washington is juggling China, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and Asia; exactly the way India has been doing for decades. EAM Jaishankar didn’t say it to brag. He said it to highlight a shift: strategic autonomy isn’t a niche tactic anymore; it’s becoming the global standard. Why? Because in today’s world, picking sides can cost you everything. India learned that early. The US? It’s catching up; fast. This isn’t about who’s better. It’s about who’s smarter in a multi-polar world. And right now, India’s playbook is getting a standing ovation; from the very country that once questioned it.