India must avoid confrontation with Five Eyes. It’s an important counterterrorism ally

India and Five Eyes diverge on a number of issues such as strategic autonomy and data privacy. But by focusing on areas of convergence, they can better address common challenges.

Illustration: Ramandeep Kaur | ThePrint

Recent reports of alleged activities of Indian Intelligence Agencies, notably the Research and Analysis Wing in countries as far away as Canada, the United States and Australia have brought to the fore the contentious issue of intelligence operations amongst allies. India, a pivotal player in geopolitics, finds itself in the focus of various intelligence networks, each vying for its collaboration and allegiance.

Among these the most renowned is the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. As India navigates its role in the global intelligence landscape, it faces a myriad of converging and diverging interests with Five Eyes.

There is a need to analyse the dynamics of India’s relationship with the group, exploring areas of convergence and divergence in intelligence cooperation.

Areas of convergence

Counterterrorism: One of the areas of convergence between India and the Five Eyes countries is counterterrorism. All parties share concerns about global terrorism and its impact on regional stability. Intelligence sharing regarding terrorist activities, networks, and potential threats is crucial for pre-emptive measures and joint operations. India’s geographical location and historical experiences with terrorism make it a valuable partner in the Five Eyes’ efforts to combat extremist organisations.

Cyber security: In an increasingly digitised world, cybersecurity has emerged as a paramount concern for nations worldwide. India and the Five Eyes countries recognise the importance of information security and collaborating on cyber threat intelligence sharing, technological advancements, and joint exercises. Given India’s burgeoning IT sector and expertise in cybersecurity, this collaboration will only enhance the capabilities of the Five Eyes alliance in combating cyber threats.

Maritime security: With a vast coastline and strategic maritime interests, India shares common concerns with the Five Eyes nations regarding maritime security and safeguarding vulnerable sea lanes of communication. Cooperation in maritime domain awareness, naval exercises, and anti-piracy operations strengthens the collective ability to safeguard vital sea lanes and maritime interests.

Areas of divergence

Strategic autonomy: One of the pillars of India’s foreign policy doctrine emphasises strategic autonomy and non-alignment, which often conflicts with the objectives of the Five Eyes alliance. While India seeks to maintain friendly relations with all nations, including those outside the Five Eyes, its approach is often divergent from the alliance’s unified stance on certain geopolitical issues.

Regional dynamics: India’s complex relationships within its immediate neighbourhood, particularly with countries like China and Pakistan, can create divergent interests with the Five Eyes alliance. While the alliance may prioritise containing perceived adversaries, India’s approach to regional diplomacy often involves nuanced engagement and balancing acts to safeguard its interests without escalating tensions.

Data privacy and sovereignty: India’s stance on data privacy and digital sovereignty may differ from the policies advocated by the Five Eyes countries. India’s regulatory frameworks, such as data localisation laws and restrictions on foreign technology companies, may clash with the alliance’s push for open data flows and liberal market access.

Avoiding confrontation 

Therefore, notwithstanding the divergences, avoiding confrontation with the Anglospheric Five Eyes alliance is globally beneficial to both the Alliance as well as India for several reasons.

Enhanced security cooperation: By avoiding confrontation, both India and the Five Eyes alliance can focus on enhancing security cooperation in areas of mutual interest as outlined above, such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security. Confrontation could undermine trust and hamper collaboration, weakening collective efforts to address common threats, putting the world at risk.

Stability in the Indo-Pacific region: India’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region makes it a key player in maintaining stability and security. Confrontation between India and the Five Eyes alliance could escalate tensions and destabilise the region, adversely affecting trade, investment, and regional cooperation initiatives.

Counterbalancing adversarial powers: India and the Five Eyes countries share concerns about the growing influence of adversarial powers, such as China and Russia. By avoiding confrontation, they can better coordinate efforts to counterbalance these influences through diplomatic, economic, and strategic means, promoting a balance of power conducive to stability and security.

Promotion of shared values: Despite differences in approach and priorities, India and the Five Eyes alliance share common values such as democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. Avoiding confrontation allows them to focus on promoting these shared values through diplomatic engagement, capacity-building initiatives, and support for democratic institutions globally. At the end of the day, it is about competing systems, i.e. democracies versus autocracies.

Economic interdependence: Economic ties between India and the Five Eyes countries are significant and growing. Confrontation could disrupt economic relations, leading to adverse consequences for businesses, investors, and consumers in both India and the Five Eyes countries. Maintaining stable economic ties fosters prosperity and strengthens the foundation for broader cooperation. As the fastest growing economy in the world, the West can ill-afford to have poor relations with India.

Strategic hedging: Both India and the Five Eyes alliance engage in strategic hedging to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities in an uncertain geopolitical environment. Avoiding confrontation enables them to pursue flexible and nuanced strategies that leverage shared interests while managing divergent priorities and concerns. Issue based engagements and cooperations are likely to have better mutually beneficial outcomes.

Avoiding confrontation between India and the Five Eyes alliance is essential for fostering security, stability, and cooperation in an increasingly complex global environment. By focusing on areas of convergence and managing differences constructively, they can better address common challenges and seize opportunities for mutual benefit. Navigating these dynamics requires a delicate balance between leveraging shared objectives and safeguarding national interests. As India continues to grow in influence on the global stage, its engagement with the Five Eyes alliance will remain a critical aspect in the broader foreign policy calculus for all parties, as evidenced in the words of Philip Green, Australian Envoy to India, who while declining to answer questions on intelligence matters, conceded that “any bilateral relationship can experience occasional speed bumps”.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM AVSM SM VSM is a retired Indian Army General who served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff. Views are personal.

(Edited by Theres Sudeep)