The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is a concept in international relations, representing a diplomatic relationship that is more extensive than a standard strategic partnership but less formal and binding than a military alliance. India began actively forging such partnerships post-Cold War as part of its "multi-alignment" strategy, departing from non-alignment after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the 1991 economic crisis. The CSP is an elevation of an existing Strategic Partnership, signifying a long-term, multidimensional commitment across various sectors.
The mechanism works by establishing a broad framework for cooperation on shared interests, often formalized through joint statements. Key provisions consistently include deepening defense and security cooperation, such as joint exercises and co-production of advanced defense components, as seen in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (CGSP), formalized in February 2020. It also covers significant collaboration in trade and investment, energy security, and technology. For instance, the India-Australia CSP, elevated on June 4, 2020, includes working together on the digital economy and critical technologies.
The CSP is closely connected to India's Act East Policy and a shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, with partners like Indonesia and Australia. The CGSP with the US is also linked to India's status as a Major Defense Partner, affording it the highest consideration for technology transfer. A recent change is the upgrade of the India-Vietnam CSP (signed in 2016) to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on May 6, 2026, demonstrating a continuous process of deepening ties.