A Classroom Favourite, With Layers Beyond Realism
I still remember the first time I heard the name Kautilya in a political science class. The textbook described him as a realist—India’s Machiavelli. At first, that sounded cool. Tough. Strategic. But the more I read, the more I realised that Kautilya’s Arthashastra isn’t just about cunning diplomacy. It’s a deeply layered, thoughtful, and surprisingly modern guide to statecraft. And it’s time we look at it beyond just the “realist” tag.
As someone passionate about politics and now working in digital media, I find it fascinating how India’s foreign policy today reflects some of Kautilya’s ancient principles—often without naming him directly.
Who Was Kautilya, Really?
Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, was a 4th-century BCE scholar, strategist, and advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. His legendary work, the Arthashastra, is often compared to Machiavelli’s The Prince, but it’s broader in scope. While Western political thinkers often separated ethics and strategy, Kautilya merged morality, economy, and security into a single vision of governance.
Yes, he was strategic—even ruthless when necessary. But he was also a firm believer in stability, justice, and economic strength as the backbone of diplomacy.
How Kautilya Connects to India’s Foreign Policy Today
Realism: The Foundation, Not the Whole Story
The Arthashastra talks about realpolitik—alliances based on interest, not sentiment. This is reflected in India’s modern diplomacy. Look at how India maintains relationships with countries that might be rivals with one another: balancing ties with the U.S., Russia, and Iran; engaging with Israel while supporting Palestine; being part of BRICS while working with the G20.
This ability to adapt and prioritize national interest is classic Kautilya. He believed in the “mandala theory”—your immediate neighbor is your natural enemy, and the neighbor’s neighbor is your friend. In today’s global terms, it means: think two steps ahead.
Soft Power and Strategic Patience
But here’s where it gets interesting. Kautilya didn’t just focus on military strength. He emphasized economic power, intelligence gathering, cultural diplomacy, and timing.
India’s approach to regional diplomacy mirrors this. Whether it’s investing in neighborhood-first policies, promoting yoga diplomacy, or offering humanitarian aid during crises, the strategy is layered. India isn’t rushing into alliances or conflicts. It’s playing a long game—just as Kautilya would advise.
Beyond Textbook Realism: Ethics, Stability, and Prosperity
What most classrooms miss is that Kautilya wasn’t just a power-hungry tactician. He cared about internal stability, just rule, and economic development. He saw a strong, prosperous state as the key to strong foreign policy.
Take India’s global stance today: its push for a multipolar world, inclusive trade agreements, and climate diplomacy all stem from a need to project internal strength. Kautilya would argue—rightly—that no nation can be respected abroad if it is fractured within.
Why This Ancient Thinker Still Matters
Kautilya didn’t write theories to debate in classrooms. He wrote practical wisdom to guide rulers. And today, as the world becomes more unstable—whether through shifting alliances, economic disruptions, or new tech-driven conflicts—his ideas feel more relevant than ever.
He understood that power isn’t just about dominance; it’s about endurance. A nation survives and thrives when its leaders are informed, strategic, and grounded in their people’s needs.
A Call to Rethink How We Teach Kautilya
Most students today still learn Kautilya as a side character in political theory. But what if we taught him as a central thinker in modern foreign policy?
We should go beyond textbook summaries and explore how his mandala theory, ideas on espionage, and principles of non-aggression compare to modern tools like satellite surveillance, cyber warfare, and trade alliances.
In a world where young people are engaging with global issues on Instagram and YouTube, shouldn’t political education keep up?
Conclusion: The Ancient Future of Indian Strategy
India’s foreign policy today is not just about reacting to global powers—it’s about crafting its own path, quietly, deliberately, and sometimes, unexpectedly. That’s exactly the kind of statecraft Kautilya envisioned more than 2,000 years ago.
As someone who works in the world of digital communication, I know how powerful storytelling can be. At my digital marketing agency, we help brands craft clear, confident messages. And I believe India needs to keep telling its story—through diplomacy, strategy, and yes, even Kautilya.
Because sometimes, the best answers to modern questions are hiding in ancient texts—we just need to read them differently.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Kautilya’s ideas still shape how India deals with the world? And should schools and colleges teach his work as part of modern foreign policy?