DIRECTION OF INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

DIRECTION OF INDIA’S  FOREIGN POLICY

Introduction

1                    Foreign Policy can be defined in a broad sense as the sum total of the Principles, Aims and Objectives which a country evolves in conducting its relations with other countries.

2.         Over the period of years a broad consensus has developed on India’s foreign policy within the country.  The Prime Minister, Mr. Vajpayee has reiterated that there will be continuity in India’s foreign policy.

3.         Analysts feel that long term planning to various facets of foreign policy should replace adhoc dealings with emerging situations.  Foreign policy should be clubbed with security and defence for carefully planned strategies. According to analysts, military action against other countries is an extension of that country’s foreign policy. 

Background

4.         India’s first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru laid down the broad parameters of India’s foreign policy.  These were based on the twin concept of “Non-Alignment” and “Panch-Sheel.”  This policy was followed by India during the Cold War period.

5.         Analysts feel that India’s foreign policy came under pressure during times of domestic instability as follows :

(a)       The first period of domestic political instability followed the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964 and lasted till the early 1971.  Sensing India’s weakness, Pakistan launched a war in 1965.

(b)       The second period of domestic instability came about in the late seventies with the fall of the Janata Party Government.  During this period the great powers tried to constrain India’s nuclear options.  It is pointed out that during this period the great powers also extended their influence among the smaller neighbours of India.

(c)       The third period of political instability came during the late 1980s when terrorism gripped Punjab and Kashmir.  The Mandal and Mandir issues resulted in domestic political instability.  These internal instabilities were compounded by the collapse of the Soviet Union.  This led to increased international pressure on India on a number of issues like Kashmir, nuclear and missile programmes and Indo-Pak relations.

6.         India’s non-alignment policy was designed to not only stay out of the blocs system but also to try and bring the blocs together on various issues as far as possible.

7.         In the Nineties, the Narasimha Rao Government’s foreign policy was based on two parameters :-

(a)       Managing the pains of transition and adjusting to the post Cold war situation.

(b)       Economic diplomacy which acquired a high profile.

8.         Gujral Doctrine :  Named after the former Prime Minister, Mr. I.K. Gujral it was based on the following aspects :

(a)       India does not ask for reciprocity with its smaller neighbours, but gives all that it can in good faith and trust.

(b)       No South Asian country will allow its territory to be used against the interests of another country of the region.

(c)       No South Asian country will interfere in the internal affairs of another.

(d)       All South Asian countries must respect each others territorial integrity and sovereignty.

(e)       All countries will settle their dispute through peaceful bilateral negotiations.

Priorities of India’s Foreign Policy

9.         India’s Neighbours :  India’s foreign policy priorities have changed dramatically after the conduct of nuclear tests by India and Pakistan.  There is a general apprehension among India’s neighbours on the following aspects :

(a)       The prospect of a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan.

(b)       The set-back to Sino-Indian relations which can increase Sino-Indian tensions on one hand and Sino-Pak defence co-operation on the other.

(c)       The impact of sanctions on India and Pakistan which can have repercussions on the economies of other neighbours from Myanmar to Maldives.

(d)       The apprehension that a nuclear India might become more assertive in its policies in relation to its smaller neighbours.

India is responding  positively to assuage these apprehensions by engaging in regional confidence building measures and enhanced economic co-operation with neighbours.

10.       India’s Security Doctrine :  India should adopt a policy of minimum deterrence and no-first use without reservations, according to defence analysts.  India can also accede to the CTBT and the FMCT as they do not affect India’s security interests adversely.

11.       Asian Security System :  India should be a major player in the balance of power system in Asia.  The rationale behind India going nuclear is to restore the balance of power in Asia, as the symbol of power is nuclear capability, according to analysts.  Russia, China, India and Japan are the central players in Asia.

12.       Nuclear Deterrence.

(a)       Deterrence has been practised since a long time and without nuclear deterrence there could have been a third world war, according to analysts.

(b)       India   proclaims  no-first-use of nuclear weapons in order to prove to the world that under no circumstances will India use the nuclear weapons first.

(c)       India’s draft nuclear doctrine states that India should posess nuclear weapons for minimum  nuclear deterrence.

13.       Disarmament.

(a)       The purpose of India going nuclear is to ensure that there is complete nuclear disarmament and the nuclear club is wound up.  India should try to al                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ries :-

(a)       India’s foreign policy should also be focussed on rebuilding relations with the developed countries like the US and Japan.

(b)       India should adopt a policy of engagement/ dialogue on mutual issues and economic co-operation.

(c)       After acquiring nuclear weapons, India should act as a matured global player clarifying that its nuclear weapons policy has no aggressive intent, so that the developed countries realise that India is a responsible country.

15.       Pakistan and China :  India should shun all ambiguity and adopt a clear cut policy to solve all pending issues bilaterally.  It can sign a no-first-use treaty with Pakistan and China and engage in confidence building measures with both countries.

16.       Global Role.

(a)              India represents one-sixth of humanity and should therefore play an important role in global affairs

(b)              India should pursue a foreign policy which will address all its global interests.

(c)              There has to be an appropriate balance between regional interests and global interests.

Government’s Focus on Foreign Policy

17.       Dialogue with Global Interlocutors.

(a)       India has expressed its readiness to join the CTBT but wants the removal of curbs on the transfer of sophisticated technologies.

(b)       India also wants the industrialised nations not to insist on fullscope safeguard s, while agreeing to help it build nuclear power reactors to meet the country’s large requirements of power.

(c)       India has shown flexibility to open various economic sectors to foreign investors.

18.       India’s Security Concerns.   Analysts feel that India’s security concerns are better appreciated now than before.  The statements of senior US State Department are cited in support of this assessment.

19.        China.   India is keen to pursue the ongoing dialogue on the boundary issue and enhance the confidence-building measures in the border region.

20.             Russia.   India is more than happy with its relations with Russia.  This is evident from the co-operation in the defence field, the signing of the agreement on the installation of nuclear power reactors etc with Russia.  The visit of Russian Presigent Putin to India had given added impetus to Indo-Russion relation. A total of 11 MOUs were signed during his visit.

Criticism of the Government’s Foreign Policy

21.             The Government has done little to rebuild consensus on foreign policy that it has destroyed and has done virtually nothing to contain the political, diplomatic and economic fallout of the nuclear tests, according to critics. This perception has changed considerably after the exchage of visits by heads of state of USA & India and Putin’s visits to India.

22.             Different people in different positions in the government have been speaking in different voices, according to critics.  The good work done by the Gujral Doctrine has been destroyed and the neighbours have become more apprehensive now.  Nowadays the constituents of NDA government are treading more carefully.                                                                                                                       

23.             Relations with China which were built painstakingly have been undone in the most irresponsible manner by the defence minister according to critics.  Relations now are on an up swing.

24.       Relations with Pakistan have also received a setback after the Kargil misadventure.

25.       The growing relations with the US did receive a set-back after the nuclear tests and the Government has not done anything substantial to keep the Indo-US relations on an even keel, according to critics.  However, with the visits of President Clinton and Vajpayee have  now tilted the US towards India.

26.       Finally, some critics feel that the Government has no strategy and plan of action in pursuing the goals of foreign policy.

Conclusion

27.       By choosing to prove its nuclear capability, India has chosen the hard road to world status, according to analysts.  The world will view India differently now, it will get more respect but there will also be a fierce countervailing force.

28.       An overwhelming number of developing nations have supported the nuclear tests by India but only a few developed nations have shown understanding of India’s position initially.

29.       The unipolar concept of the world advocated by the US has been challenged and the commitment to a multipolar world has been underlined.

30.       Finally,with a huge population and large potential, India has the resilience to meet the new challenges.  India still stands for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons from the world.  India needs to convey its stand to the world through a moderate and diplomatically mature foreign policy.