An overview of India’s Foreign Policy

Understand India’s Foreign Policy in six broad phases

Foreign policy means a government’s strategy to deal with other nations, globally. It largely depends on two factors, domestic and international practices. World leaders take decisions to go to war, make peace, create an environment for diplomatic relations, impose economic sanctions, etc. There are majorly three parts of a foreign policy; an economic part, a political part and the security or military part. The main aim of any foreign policy is to build international understanding among two or more countries.

India has a vast history of changing foreign relations starting from independence till date. It would be easier for students to understand the foreign policy of India in six broad phases. Each phase describes the important decisions taken in that period of time pertaining to foreign relations or policies. They are as follows:

The First Phase (1947-1962): Optimistic Non-Alignment

This period is marked with a setting of bipolar world along with camps led by the United States and USSR. India’s main objective at this time was to rebuild economy and consolidate its integrity.

India was also among the first few countries that were decolonized and hence, it was easier for India to lead Asia and Africa in a quest for a more equitable world order. In pursuit of this, India played a major role in forming the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) (1961), which marked the third world agreement.

However, the conflict with China, not only brought this period to an end but also significantly damaged the India’s standing on NAM.

The Second Phase (1962-1971): Decade of Realism and Recovery

After the 1962 war, India made pragmatic choices on security and political challenges. It looked beyond non-alignment in the interest of national security, concluding a now largely forgotten defense agreement with the US in 1964.

However, India faced external pressures on Kashmir (Tashkent agreement 1965) from the US and UK. Through Tashkent agreement both India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw all armed forces to pre-war positions, to restore diplomatic relations; and to discuss economic, refugee, and other questions.

However, the agreement did not contain a no-war pact or any renunciation of Pakistan’s aggression in Kashmir (as Pakistan was an ally of the US). Therefore, India started shifting towards USSR.

Read more: List of Speakers of Lok Sabha since 1947

The Third Phase (1971-1991): Greater Indian Regional Assertion

India was proved powerful when it liberated Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971. However, it was a difficult phase as the US-China-Pakistan axis came together and it was threatening India’s prospect’s as a regional power.

Further, India was successful in building an ally with the US after conducting a successful Nuclear explosion test in 1974 (Pokhran I). Then, the economic crisis in 1991 compelled India to look again at the principles of both, domestic and foreign policy.

The combination of events as diverse as the Gulf War (1991-1992), the break-up of USSR (1991), long standing economic stagnation and domestic turbulence came together in 1991, creating a balance of payment crisis in India.

The Fourth Phase (1991-1998): Safeguarding Strategic Autonomy

The emergence of a unipolar world, motivated India to change their approach towards world affairs. This quest for strategic autonomy was particularly focusing on securing the Nuclear power (Pokhran II). This is also the period where India approached the US, Israel and ASEAN countries intensively.

The Fifth Phase (1998-2013): A Balancing Power

In this period, India gradually acquired the attributes of a balancing power (against the rise of China). It is reflected in the India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement).

At the same time, India could also make common cause with China on climate change and trade, and consolidate further ties with Russia while helping to fashion BRICS into a major global forum.

The Sixth Phase (2013- Until now): Energetic Engagement

In this phase, India’s non-alignment movement turned into a multi alignment form. Also, India is now completely aware of its capabilities and the expectations that world has from India.

India is among the major economies of the world. The relevance of India’s talent in sustaining global technology is likely to grow. India’s power to shape global negotiations is equally significant.

India has been able to assert itself beyond South Asia, through its approach towards the Indian Ocean Region (SAGAR initiative) and the extended neighborhood (Act East policy and Think West policy).

Conclusion:

Along with the nation’s policies and socio-economic structure, understanding foreign policy is equally important while preparing for competitive exams. India’s foreign policy changed as per the global relations with other countries. Studying the foreign policy is a part of general knowledge in your syllabus.

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