It means that India has the right to define its own security imperatives independently, and make its own decisions about foreign policy and national security, while avoiding foreign restrictions. For Indian negotiators, proposals and possible solutions under discussion should be consistent with principles like these. An American interlocutor can encounter prolonged silences from his or her Indian counterpart. The most famous past example is from Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. The silence may be mistaken for approval of what is being said, or how it is said, but may actually indicate disapproval.
Indian interlocutors can be sticklers for protocol and hierarchy.
One likely result is that the interlocutor will be reluctant to see someone else of lower rank, make a commitment, or take responsibility. He or she is looking over his shoulder at what the higher ups may say. In fact, that may even make things worse. The sense of time can often be different - while Americans want to move more rapidly, Indians may well prefer a slower pace. They can feel that a deal is unlikely to come from one meeting.