Foreign policy is generally perceived as more stable than domestic policy and less susceptible to sudden shifts. Foreign policies can both be static and dynamic in their approach.
What does “statism” in foreign affairs refer to? Essentially, statism refers to maintaining the status quo; risks are reduced through elements of an effective foreign policy that remains static over time.
What defines foreign policy dynamics from our perspective? Adjustment or shift in foreign policies would refer to their ability to adapt or respond quickly in response to changes in external or internal political environments of countries.
Indian foreign policy follows both static and dynamic elements.
Evolution Of India’s Foreign Policy
We will explore Indian Foreign Policy in relation to these three phases.
In the first half of the 20th century, two superpowers ruled: the USA and the USSR. They were major competitors that held global influence at that time. Following World War II victory for their allies – Russia, Britain and France – the League of Nations disbanded and the United Nations emerged to replace it.
Western-developed nations, led by the US with European allies, seized global economic and financial power. Bretton-Woods agreements came into being, with the World Bank/IMF controlling global financial systems while GATT/WTO shaping international trade relationships.
India responded with its policy of non-alignment. By choosing this approach, India sought political, economic and security support from both sides. India’s foreign policies were at their most stable and staid phase, which was perhaps the best for the time.
Two major events from 1991 marked the second phase of change between then and 2008. First was the breakup and dismemberment of the former Soviet Union into many independent nations; Russia emerging as its successor at the UN.
Second, India experienced its own foreign currency crisis. Also, India experienced a new world order, with the USA as the only major country in terms of political, economic, and military power.
From this time onward, several lesser pillars of power began emerging across Europe, Russia, China and dynamic Asian regions such as Japan, India and South America – particularly Brazil.
India responded to these seismic shifts by moving away from non-alignment and towards multipolar alliance. At the same time, relations with major powers such as the USA were enhanced – including previously antagonistic relations with the USA being modified over time and adjusted when appropriate. Globalisation also came into effect, along with greater attention being focused on its immediate neighbours.
The third period covers 2008 until now. Lehman Brothers’ collapse caused shockwaves through US and global banking systems in 2008.
Lehman Brothers’ collapse in 2008 brought on an economic collapse affecting developed and many emerging nations alike, such as South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
China is taking steps to fill in for some of its development counterparts in this period. Furthermore, its political model offers inspiration to developing nations around the globe.
The growth of multiple poles within the EU, ASEAN and other countries such as Russia, Japan, India, BRICS IBSA and SCO has been faster than the previous period.
Global power axis is shifting away from Western control and towards Asia; India has responded strongly by abandoning non-alignment altogether in their foreign policy approach.
Indian Foreign Policy Post-2014
In 2014, a new leadership was installed in India. Under its new leadership, India saw significant change to their foreign policy, reflecting India’s global impact and aspirations for influence across multiple fronts (politically, economically and militarily).
India’s international policy is guided by its desire to strike a balance between economic, social and political needs with environmental considerations while attaining security at every level. India has taken an innovative approach with their new strategy incorporating not only economic factors, but structural ones as well.
India strives to become a global power, sharing responsibility with others for areas like energy, environment protection, trade, human rights protection and international security.
Below are the distinguishing characteristics of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi as opposed to prior ones:
- Neighbourhood First Policy – all SAARC leaders at swearing in ceremony in 2014 and BIMSTEC leaders in 2019; SAARC Satellite; Act East Policy;
- India’s economic development is being propelled forward by a relentless push to trade, foreign direct investments (FDIs) and “Make in India”.
- India now plays more of an outwardly prominent role in global affairs than merely acting as a balancer; rather, it is now acting as its own pole of strength.
- Increased diplomatic and military diplomacy. Agreeing to participate in the global arms market as a supplier rather than as an immediate buyer.
- Modi’s Foreign Policy mantra centres around connectivity, commercial ties and cultural bonds; his unparalleled bonding with diaspora communities has also proven immensely successful.
- Modi asserts that India’s international relations are determined by three Ds – democracy, demography and demand for goods.
- Since 2014 when ‘The States Division’ was created within India’s Ministry of External Affairs, state governments have played a more prominent role in formulating and implementing India’s foreign policy.
- Some scholars have observed that India’s foreign policy has undergone dramatic transformation since 1991, and Modi’s era signifies a dramatic break with Nehruvian policies.
- While many other observers have described India’s relations with the world under Narendra Modi as unchanged or at best marginally altered, although change and continuity in foreign policy do not contradict each other; nonetheless there have been profound structural shifts in India’s engagement with its international neighbours under his tenure.
Major Themes Of Indian Foreign Policy
India’s diplomacy today is focused primarily on the USA and China. Other P-5 nations and our neighbours also feature heavily. Look East is now Act East; Africa and Latin America no longer appear distant regions for India’s foreign affairs strategy; economic diplomacy now plays a greater role than political or security considerations.
Managing Relations With China
India and China have always shared an intricate relationship, often marked by border disputes and China’s ever-increasing influence in global affairs. India’s foreign policy has accomplished much by effectively managing relations with China – this was accomplished solely through dialogue and diplomacy.
China poses both military and economic threats for India, as well as an enormous policymaking challenge. India’s relationship with China has become a cornerstone of their foreign policy and security posture.
In 2020, India and China became embroiled in an intense border conflict which prompted India to invest further in the Quad.
India had traditionally been wary of forging close ties with external partners so as to maintain freedom of action and avoid Chinese reactions, but following the Ladakh crisis India now seeks closer ties with US, Japan and Australia – believing this will increase their freedom to act while China adopts more aggressive positions.
Beginning in 2021, the Quad has assumed greater significance.
Balancing Ties With The United States And Russia
India and Russia have historically enjoyed strong relations; however, more recently India has developed an important strategic alliance with the US. Indian foreign policy faces the daunting task of managing both sets of interests while maintaining good relations with both nations.
India has come under increasing criticism by Western powers due to the ongoing Ukraine War, especially over its refusal to adhere to UN resolutions or purchase Russian oil.
India enjoys excellent relations with both Russia and the US. Any attempt by India to lean too heavily on one side could endanger its relations with the other. This requires India to take a neutral position instead. India has repeatedly stated that it does not consider its relationship with Russia or the US to be dependent on each other.
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Counter-Terrorism Diplomacy
India has set forth an aggressive foreign policy objective of combating terrorism. Unfortunately, India has seen numerous terrorist attacks by groups linked to Pakistan.
India has long struggled against terrorism since the 1980s. Pakistan was responsible for much of this activity in India as they provided terrorists with shelter and resources; other neighbouring countries provided conduits through which terrorists, their handlers and resources could reach India.
India has used diplomacy to attempt to combat or at least moderate terrorism, with support coming from countries that share similar views in stopping such attacks.
Energy Security
India has made energy security one of its primary foreign policy concerns due to rising energy demands and dependence on imports. India is the third-biggest oil consumer worldwide and imports approximately 80% crude oil.
India is also one of the leading importers of coal, gas and other energy sources such as natural gas. India’s dependence on energy imports leaves it susceptible to disruptions within the global energy industry and political instability in certain nations.
India has taken numerous steps to safeguard its energy needs through foreign policies, including building international partnerships with nations that produce energy or investing in overseas energy assets such as oil and gas fields, in order to guarantee reliable supply.
India has demonstrated strong participation in international and regional organisations relating to energy. India promotes international cooperation through efforts such as India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
India needs strong and functional relations with Arab states in order to meet its energy requirements.
Shaping Its Relations With Africa
India’s development partnerships with Africa focus on capacity-building initiatives, lines-of-credit, grant support, small development projects, consultations, disaster relief services, humanitarian aid assistance and military cooperation.
The African continent has received top priority from Indian economic and foreign policy in recent years. This has led to an unprecedented level of political engagement. India’s partnership for development with Africa has four main pillars. These are: capacity building and education under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation; Lines Of Credit, or concessional loan and grant assistance; Trade; and Investments.
India and China both have growing stakes in Africa. At the same time, their geopolitical competition is intensifying. African countries’ voting patterns at international organisations including the UN have proven advantageous to each. India’s increasing engagement with Africa promises mutual gains based on equality and respect.
India has prioritised its relations with Africa through the India Africa Summit process that started in 2008. This offers a coherent and comprehensive strategy which is sustainable, inclusive and focused on people while being driven primarily by African needs.
Climate Diplomacy
India is becoming an ever-more pivotal player in global climate negotiations. India’s growing economic and geopolitical importance can be seen through its representatives being more engaged with recent international efforts to achieve a climate accord.
Climate diplomacy in India has now become an integral component of its wider foreign policy goals, particularly with regards to strengthening relationships with China and the US. India’s desire to strengthen these ties led it to be more flexible in negotiating positions when necessary.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has prioritised climate diplomacy on its foreign policy agenda. India’s creation of the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as well as their integration into multilateral climate change agreements is evidence of this change in policy direction.
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Economic Diplomacy
Since India’s liberalisation in the 1990s, economic diplomacy has become a more prominent aspect of India’s international policy.
Indian businesses began playing an increased role in furthering India’s interests abroad at the dawn of the 21st Century. Indian business enterprises want the government to be more involved with economic diplomacy so as to open up new markets for Indian products, increase foreign investments into India, and allow Indian firms to venture into foreign markets more freely.
The Government is taking on an increasingly prominent role in economic diplomacy. Through various means – such as its expanding development cooperation program, increasing diaspora involvement, and subnational economic diplomacy – the Government is advocating on behalf of businesses’ interests and concerns.
The newly elected government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already indicated that economic diplomacy will play a vital role in its foreign policy agenda.
Neighbourhood First
India’s Neighbourhood First Policy is a key tenet of its foreign policy and focuses on maintaining peaceful relations and collaborative development among South Asian neighbours of its subcontinent. It includes economics, technology, education, research, connectivity (digital transport systems, grid connectivity for energy supply, logistics chains etc), space program security as well as defence and environmental considerations.
This policy maximises regional cooperation initiatives such as SAARC SASEC BBIN and BIMSTEC while simultaneously opening up new pathways.
Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy refers to the exchange of cultural ideas, information, artwork and other aspects between nations and peoples to foster greater mutual understanding. Cultural diplomacy is seen as an investment that creates positive associations for a nation among the people in the other country.
Cultural diplomacy has become a central feature of India’s foreign policy since Narendra Modi redefined Indian diplomacy to include new soft power elements. Soft power consists of five pillars: Samman (dignity), Samvaad, Samriddhi Suraksha Sanskriti Evam Sabhayata; all elements aligning with India’s larger political and economic goals.
Cultural diplomacy encompasses an exchange of ideas, information and values; including traditions, beliefs and other cultural aspects. The ultimate aim is to facilitate mutual understanding and build long-term relationships.
Act East Policy
The “Act East Policy,” announced in November 2014, is an upgraded version of the original Look East Policy and part of a larger diplomatic initiative intended to strengthen economic, strategic, and cultural ties across the Asia-Pacific region.
It involves engaging Southeast Asian countries on multiple fronts – connectivity, trade, culture, defence, people-to-people contact and others at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.