India, Sept. 28 -- In a world increasingly shaped by great-power rivalry, regional wars and economic uncertainty, India's foreign policy cannot be reduced to a simple choice between Washington and Beijing. That was the central argument made by Hindustan Times Executive Editor Shishir Gupta in a conversation with senior anchor Aayesha Varma on Point Blank.

Discussing the Xi Jinping-Donald Trump summit, the China-Russia-North Korea alignment, tensions with Iran, India's energy security and Pakistan's terrorism narrative at the United Nations, Gupta argued that India's overriding priority must remain its own national interest. The prescription, he said, is strategic autonomy backed by stronger domestic manufacturing, military deterrence, di...