India to Fortify Multialignment Amid Trump Impact, Operation Sindoor, Closer Philippines Ties, and Pakistan Nuclear Site Strike

India's foreign policy of multialignment has recently undergone a geopolitical stress test, but Indian policymakers intend to strengthen this approach rather than abandon it. Public support for India's foreign policy remains high, with 88% of respondents in a recent survey expressing a positive perception. India's strategic recalibration includes a hardened stance on the South China Sea following the 2020 Galwan clash, which has brought India closer to the Philippines. The country has also positioned itself as a key voice of the Global South and a diplomatic bridge between East and West through visits to Argentina and Brazil amid global realignments. Operation Sindoor, an Indian military strike targeting terrorist facilities in Pakistan, received support from nations such as France, Israel, and Armenia, while others called for de-escalation. This operation raises critical questions about India's strategic future, including response thresholds and Pakistan's deterrence capabilities, especially given Pakistan's military modernization and China's influence. India is balancing improved ties with China alongside strategic precautions, including new energy investment terms requiring technology transfer and localization, and has tightened scrutiny on Chinese investments and technology by banning apps and regulating key sectors. The Trump administration's foreign policy is likely to encourage India to double down on multialignment, seeking partnerships beyond Washington if it is deemed an unreliable partner. Meanwhile, Pakistan is actively courting the Trump administration, even nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize to secure a renewed role with the US. Trump's praise for Pakistan's knowledge of Iran indicates US interest in leveraging Pakistan's military in the broader Middle East. An Indian strike near a reported Pakistani nuclear weapons storage site underscores the high-stakes risks of modern conflict in the region. Additionally, India aims to counter China's growing influence by emphasizing a regional stakeholder identity and cooperative maritime security with like-minded nations.