In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Sachs said India should prioritise managing its ties with China independently rather than becoming part of broader geopolitical competition led by Washington.
“India should not be part of the Quad, period,” Sachs said.
The Quad, which includes India, the United States, Japan and Australia, has become an increasingly prominent strategic grouping in the Indo-Pacific region. Sachs, however, described it as “a blatant US anti-China manoeuvre”.
He argued that India and China, which together account for nearly 40% of the world’s population, should strengthen bilateral engagement instead of allowing outside powers to shape their relationship.
“India and China should work on their own bilateral relations,” Sachs said.
Sachs acknowledged that India and the United States share strong educational, cultural and family connections, but said Washington’s broader strategic interest lies in countering Beijing.
“The United States wants to use India against China,” he said.
According to Sachs, India should remain cautious about interpreting warmer diplomatic rhetoric from Washington as evidence of a deep strategic partnership.
He referred to recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India from senior US officials as part of diplomatic “damage control” after a difficult phase in bilateral relations marked by tariff tensions and criticism from Washington.
“Review what happened last year. It’s not a deep partnership,” Sachs said.
Instead, he argued that India should pursue a balanced foreign policy rooted in strategic autonomy and maintain strong ties across competing power centres.
India, he said, stands to benefit more from constructive engagement with all major countries rather than aligning too closely with any single bloc.
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“India and China would have a tremendously positive relationship in technology, investment, infrastructure and multilateral governance,” Sachs said.
He also urged Indian policymakers not to overlook the country’s civilisational and economic weight while navigating global power rivalries.
“Don’t be used by the United States,” he said, while stressing that India should continue to strike deals where its national interests are served.
Sachs ended with a broader message for Indian leadership, saying India’s rise as a major economic power would depend on maintaining good relations with all sides, “including China, including Russia, and not choosing one side against another.”
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