Indian Foreign Policy

• In recent years, there has been an unprecedented change in India’s foreign policy. The issues of Masood Azhar, the surgical strike, or the Indo-China tension all involved India’s foreign policy holders executing their work effectively.
• India is one of the most ancient civilizations in the world and from ancient times, India’s foreign policy remained independent whether it was the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire or the Mughal Empire.
• The British were the determinants of India’s foreign policy during the colonial period, who used India for their benefit. But after independence, India’s foreign policy is again fulfilling Indian interests.

Principles and Objectives

Navigating through the politics of international relations is akin to walking through a minefield, one wrong step and there will be consequences. While keeping India’s interests in mind, its foreign policy must also ensure that hostile relations are not fomented in the process.  These orientations and objectives form the core of India’s foreign policy.

That being said, any and every foreign policy is not a static concept as it keeps on changing as per domestic and international politics. Still, there are certain principles and objectives, which are not amenable to fast changes. National security is an example of one of these core principles. No country can compromise its national security regardless of circumstances. Thus, foreign policy is the instrument to realize the national interest of a country. A foreign policy bereft of national interest is an exercise in futility.

Today, India is in selected countries of the world in military field, space, religious culture etc. and India has used them better in its foreign policy formulation Determinants of India’s foreign policy:

Geographical factors: –

• India occupies a central position in Asia and occupies the largest area in South Asia. In such a situation, any big incident in the whole of Asia affects India.
• The Himalayas are like sentinels of India which play an important role in determining relations with other Himalayan countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar.
  • But the desire of China to maintain its dominance in the region continuously since 1962 has a clear impact on India’s foreign policy, which has recently shown a change in relations with Nepal.
• Along with this, India has a natural edge in the Indian Ocean. India’s dominance over the Indian Ocean is necessary to become an important power of the Indian-Pacific region.

Government System:

• India has a democratic governance system that inspires many countries of the world to accept Indian ideology.
  • for example, ASEAN countries plagued by China look towards India because India’s democracy follows the principle of peaceful coexistence.
  • But many times, in the parliamentary system, the role of state governments is also important in determining foreign policy, it becomes more important if there is a coalition government at the centre, as was shown in the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka and the 2005 US Nuclear Deal.

Economic Development:

• Economic sovereignty is of utmost importance in determining foreign policy. Like its policy, India had to open its markets in 1991, but after that India has become very strong financially.
• India’s economic growth has attracted many countries. Today, India is an important energy consumer, with countries like Turkmenistan, Iran Russia having economic alliances with India. But still the negative trade balance with China remains India’s main problem.

Military power:

• Today India is the third most powerful country in the Army, fourth in the Air Force and sixth in the Navy.
• At the same time, India is rich in nuclear power. Everyone knows India dominance in space. In such a situation, they play an important role in the foreign policy making of India.

Population:

• India is currently the second most populous and youngest country in the world, so India is becoming a consumption-oriented country, in such a situation it will fulfil the need of a big market for all the producing nations, which is the determinant of foreign policy. But with such a large population, problems like hunger, poverty are evident on India’s foreign policy.
• Many times, there has been a dispute in the World Trade Union between India and America about the government’s intervention in agricultural subsidies.

Culture:

• History and culture can be seen as important in the formulation of India’s foreign policy. Kautilya’s theory of a powerful kingdom with the ideals of Buddha and Gandhi shows the path of India.
• India’s civil-civilian religious relationship is well established from many countries of the world where there are Hindu, Islam, Christian, Buddhist majorities.

Regional Environment:

• Regional events are also important in determining foreign policy. For example, in 1971, the alliance of China, US and Pakistan brought a crisis situation for India, then India got inclined towards Russia.
• At present, the increasing dominance of China is also a reason for intensification of India-US relations. India has increased India’s capacity and power with Look East to Act East policies and China’s rise in ASEAN.

Global environment:

• After globalization, when the whole world connected with each other, global factors also became important in determining foreign policy. India may oppose the move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on environment issues, even if there is cooperation between India and America.
• After the Second World War, the world order has changed in many ways, keeping in mind that India tries to reform the UN Security Council.

Panchsheel Principles:

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are principles first mentioned in the Sino-Indian Agreement, 1954 and publicly formulated by Zhou Enlai.

• These principles would later become the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• The Panchsheel Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Premier Zhou Enlai.
• These principles, also known as Panchsheel, are listed as
  • Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
  • Mutual non-aggression,
  • Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,
  • Equality and cooperation for mutual benefit, and
  • Peaceful co-existence.

The foreign policy of India or any country is shaped by two factors – domestic and international. Domestically, India’s history, culture, geography and economy have played an important role in determining the objectives and principles of India’s foreign policy.

The international factor, characterized by cold war rivalry between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the establishment of United Nations, arms race, particularly nuclear arms race, anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism etc have also influenced the priorities and objectives of our foreign policy. The first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru gave due consideration to these factors and played a leading role in shaping the country’s foreign policy.

Domestic Factors

Under domestic factors, the role of geographical, historical, economic and cultural circumstances needs to be understood. Geographically, India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean from three sides, the Himalayas in the north, great desert in the west and hilly terrain in the north¬east.

The Himalayas, which used to be a natural barrier against foreign attack is no longer so in view of the development of airpower. The porous and open border in the north-east creates the problem of foreign infiltration and a fertile ground for anti-India activities. The foundations of India’s foreign policy were laid during independence struggle when our leaders fought the evils of colonialism and racism. The principles of sovereign equality of all nations, respect for all races and opposition to colonialism were articulated and evolved during the freedom struggle itself.

Economically, India has been subjected to long colonial exploitation. At the time of independence, India was suffering from many economic ills like poor economic infrastructure lack of capital and technology, poverty, unemployment, hunger and poor health services. In order to overcome these evils, India needed foreign support in the form of capital and technology both. Thus, the fast economic growth became one of the primary objectives of India’s foreign policy also. In view of the nascent democracy, India has to keep in mind the sensitivities of her social and cultural composition.

International Environment

When India became independent in 1947, World War II had ended and new world order was emerging led by two superpowers—the US and the Soviet Union. Each superpower formed its own blocs in order to further their influence and objectives – the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (US) and the Warsaw Pact (Soviet Union). The UN was founded with the mandate of global peace and security. However, it was powerless to stop the rivalry between the two superpowers and intensification of the Cold War. This led to the emergence of military alliances and the arms race, particularly the nuclear arms race. India could not afford to join either bloc because in doing so would see its own interest subverted. In addition, it would mean that its own principles of peace would be violated. Thus, in collaboration with like-minded nations, it formed the Non Alignment Movement. India’s policy of non-alignment has been influenced, to a large extent, from the prevailing international environment after World War II. In brief, the above domestic and international factors played an important role in shaping India’ foreign policy.

Recent Developments in India’s foreign policy:

Key Turning Points in Foreign Policy

• The Pokhran nuclear tests, the India-China war, and the Galwan Valley clashes were perceived as key turning points in India’s foreign policy.

Biggest Inter-state Foreign Policy Challenge

• Border conflicts with China were seen as India’s biggest inter-state foreign policy challenge – even surpassing conflicts with Pakistan.
• Terrorism and border conflicts with Pakistan remained important challenges for India’s foreign policy.
• The majority of respondents also indicated that India’s foreign policy of not engaging with Pakistan benefited regional peace and stability.

The Power of Ideas (1947-1962)

Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the most important leaders in the national movement. He served as the president of India at the time of independence. Along with serving as Prime Minister, he also served as Foreign Minister. He influenced Indian foreign policy for years to come as a steadfast idealist based on Gandhian and socialist ethos.

The concepts themselves were derived from the national movement and the prevalent progressive philosophies of the period. Non-Alignment served as the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy at the time. India ascended to the position of dominance among the nations of the third world through the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM).

The main concern was to stay out of the USSR and US government’s Cold War block rivalry. The standard for judging issues was to be merit, not impartiality. Panchsheel, the five tenets of peaceful coexistence, served as the guiding ideals of this period.

India strongly opposed apartheid and backed efforts to decolonize the country. We also emphasised the need for peacekeeping and disarmament. This was made abundantly evident by our involvement in the Korean War. And the fact that we sponsored the Partial Test Ban Treaty.

The emphasis was also on inclusive and equitable development, Afro-Asian unity at the Bandung Conference, and multilateralism through the UN, Commonwealth, and other organisations. India’s idealistic outlook earned it respect among its neighbours and even among advanced western countries.

India was viewed as the obvious leader among the newly independent emerging countries. However, idealism had its limits. Non-Alignment was deemed “immoral” by the USA.

When India brought the Kashmir dispute before the UN, the US and the UK interjected, making matters more complicated and serving as the main impediment to a resolution.

The Sino-Indian War of 1962, in which China, a nation we had supported fervently since 1949, essentially turned its back on us and attacked, was perhaps the cruellest blow.

The Fractured Years (1962-1970)

After the Sino-Indian War, we also lost Mr Nehru, our Prime Minister. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s leadership was tough but not as effective as his predecessor’s on a global scale. The Indian Foreign Policy was impacted by this.

We had to start a new war in 1965 after Pakistan attacked us. In addition to this, the US imposed food sanctions on us for questioning the US’s role in Vietnam.

We also had a time of reflection during which we realised that realism, rather than idealism, was the foundation upon which the universe operated.

Smt. Indira Gandhi became the prime minister in the latter half of the decade. The challenges we overcame also presented us with several internal opportunities. The much-needed modernization of the Indian military was brought about by the Sino-Indian War.

The US sanctions served as the impetus for the Green Revolution, which produced enough food. The 1965 Indo-Pak war also helped India in the future by sparking strategic thought. The fractious years served as the foundation for the change in Indian foreign policy for many years.

3. The Idea of Power (1971-1989)

In India’s political system, Smt. Indira Gandhi had established her dominance by 1971. Centralization, Authoritarianism, and Courage in the face of adversity were traits that defined her reign.

Indian foreign policy acknowledged the value of power for the first time. So to speak, we returned to our Kautilyan origins.

The 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the establishment of Bangladesh, demonstrated the power of India’s military prowess and diplomatic skills. We were able to resist pressure from the USA by signing a friendship treaty with the USSR.

We conducted our first nuclear weapons test in 1974 and then left the Non-Proliferation Treaty because it was unfair.

As India became closer to the Soviet Union during this time, non-alignment gradually eroded as well. Socialist policies, such as nationalising banks and enforcing stricter licencing requirements, were also consolidated. Through it all, the economy was neglected, and in 1991, it finally bit us.

4. The Years of Reflection (1990-1998)

In the early 1990s, India did not do so well. The economy had been poorly managed, which had resulted in the current foreign exchange crisis. The North East, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir all saw mutinies during that time. The Soviet Union, our biggest “friend” on the international stage, swiftly fell apart, leaving us “friendless.”

Additionally, the crisis brought about certain logical changes in the economy and foreign policy. A new economic strategy focused on globalisation, privatisation, and liberalisation was established.

We made contact with the US and emphasised the need for closer ties. The next significant phase of Foreign Policy was put in motion by the robust performance of the Indian economy, which concealed domestic political weakness.

5. The Reality of Power (1998-2011)

India conducted its second nuclear test in Pokhran to usher in a new era of foreign policy (1998). The first test and the response to it were circumspect, but the second test made it plain that India was now a nuclear-weapon state.

Despite the US’s first response to sanctions, it soon became clear that democratic India, with its population and rapidly expanding economy, could be an ally in the future. This sparked the Talbott-Jaswant Singh negotiations, which greatly enhanced ties between the US and India.

The Indian economy was now expanding at a rate of around 8% annually. We saw the middle class grow and the IT revolution. On the strength of its reputation as a democracy and a strong economy, India also increased its soft power. A Look East Policy and better ties with China were added to the strong US connections.

In 2008, the US and India signed the Civil Nuclear Agreement, which was a significant victory for India. The prosperity of the Indian diaspora in the US contributed to the rapprochement of the two nations.

6. Back to the Future (2011-2014)

In 2011, a group of thinkers published the NAM 2.0 paper. This emphasized the need for strategic autonomy to underpin Indian foreign policy.

Strategic autonomy has continued to be an important factor in guiding India’s foreign policy, despite criticism that it focused too heavily on the now-outdated Non-Alignment idea.

7. Enlightened National Interest (2014)

Mr Narendra Modi, who is regarded as India’s most powerful Prime Minister since Ms Gandhi, rose to prominence following the 2014 general elections. With this transition in government, there was a change in foreign policy that was consistent with India’s influence on the global order.

Enlightened National Interest, which essentially means “National Interest Plus,” serves as the basis for the current foreign policy of India.

It is based on Aristotle’s theory of Enlightened Self Interest, which holds that people who act in ways that advance the interests of others (or the interests of the organisation or groups to which they belong) ultimately advance their self-interest.

Above narrow national interest, enlightened national interest places emphasis on a shared future vision for all. It adheres to the Vasudaiva Kudumbakam idea that is prevalent in India.

The Gujral Doctrine of the 1990s is modified, with a focus on soft power and neighbourhood first. Instead of the cautious strategy used during Non-Alignment, there is now a confident “multi-alignment” with major nations while yet protecting our strategic autonomy.

At first, there was a stronger readiness to interact with Pakistan, but the country’s position toward sponsoring terrorism has resulted in a deadlock.

Indian Foreign Policy: Future

Uncertainties caused by the emergence of populist regimes throughout the Western world have an impact on the current world order. No force can take the Western powers’ position of dominance from them despite the Western powers’ declining might.

The trade battle between the United States and China is still going strong.

Maintaining a balance in relations between the US and China should be the main focus of future Indian foreign policy. Although Indo-US ties are at their highest point since independence, there hasn’t been much progress in many sectors.

Some experts worry that relations will stagnate. Strong action must be taken in this direction if India is to profit.

Competition on the one hand and cooperation on the other represent Indo-China relations. The US-China trade conflict has provided us with an opportunity to strengthen our ties with China. This is a chance that cannot be passed up.

A major goal of foreign policy is a connected, integrated South Asia. The remaining nations must be the main focus if Pakistan is not receptive to the same. A step in this approach is the BBIN (Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal) corridor.

The growth of India’s north-eastern region can be aided by connections with South East Asian countries via the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Corridor.

Lack of diplomatic skills is a significant barrier to India’s realising its potential in foreign policy. For a nation that aspires to be a global force, India lacks competent diplomats.

It is necessary to reform the Ministry of External Affairs and link it to the Ministries of Commerce and Défense. To fully utilise the synergies between the private sector and civil society, Track 2 diplomacy must be fostered.

Only a creative foreign policy can currently achieve the noble goal of stability while fostering inclusive growth. India must also make sure that it participates in the “rule-making” rather than the “rule-following” aspects of the international order.

To achieve this goal, one must be a permanent member of the UN and a member of all significant international organisations.

Conclusions

India’s foreign affairs are closely integrated with the country’s fundamental security and developmental priorities. This section highlights India’s foreign policy, its relation with the other countries etc. Users can find procedures related to passport and visa services. Details of Embassy and Consulates are given in this section. Indian staying abroad can get information about various schemes, acts, visa services and other facilities offered by the Union and state governments.

These elements are present in today’s foreign policy of India, but these elements change constantly. In modern times, it is necessary to determine policies keeping the national interest in mind.