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India's Foreign Policy
India's Foreign Policy
POLITICAL RELATIONS
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US (26-30 September 2014)
Highlights of the visit: Held meetings with President Obama and his cabinet, members
of the US Congress and political leaders of various states, US Trade and Commerce
Industry and public interaction with the Indian-American community.
2017:
The high-level exchanges continued in 2017. Few of those are as follows:
Minister of State(I/C) Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan met US
Energy Secretary Mr. Rick Perry. Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley attended the IMF-
WB meeting in April. National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary in March.
DEFENCE COOPERATION
‘New Framework for India-US Defense Relations’ was signed between the two
countries in 2005. The two countries now conduct more bilateral exercises with each
other than they do with any other country.
There has been defence trade, joint exercises, personnel exchanges, collaboration and
cooperation in maritime security and counter-piracy and exchanges etc.
India and the United States have launched a Defence Technology and Trade Initiative
(DTTI). The US recognized India as a "Major Defence Partner" in 2016.
EDUCATION
Cooperation in education sector has been made an integral part of the strategic
partnership between the two countries. The Fulbright program was renewed in 2008,
with enhanced mandate and joint funding, to provide more student and scholar
exchange grants. More than 130,000 Indian students are pursuing advanced degrees
in the US. The two sides collaborated to establish Indian Institute of Technology in
Ahmedabad.
SPACE
Cooperation can be seen in various projects. Few of those are as follows:
(i) exchange of scientists
(ii) Cooperation on Mars mission
(iii) international space station
(iv) space exploration cooperation
(v) space debris mediation
(vi) Earth Science Cooperation
NASA and ISRO are collaborating for India's Mars Orbiter Mission and for a dual-band
Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR). In June 2016, ISRO successfully launched record 20
satellites onboard PSLV rocket, which included 13 satellites from the United States.
Besides the abovementioned sectors, there has been immense co-operation between
the two sides in other sectors like science and technology, dialogue architecture, health
sector, people to people ties, cultural co-operation, media, entertainment and sports etc.
(d) INDIA & RUSSIA
Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of
India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India's foreign policy since the signing of
“Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000. Russia has
recognized India as its “Special and Privileged Strategic Partner” in 2010.
POLITICAL RELATIONS
The Annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President
of the Russia is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism in the strategic
partnership between India and Russia. So far 19 Annual Summit meetings have taken
place alternatively in India and Russia. The 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit
was held in October 2018 in New Delhi. 8 MoUs were signed in the field of business
and investment, civil nuclear cooperation, space, transport etc.
On April 12 2019, Russia presented its highest state decoration (Award) - Order of St
Andrew the Apostle to PM Narendra Modi for his distinguished contribution to the
development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India.
BILATERAL INTERACTIONS
NSA Chief Shri Ajit Doval visited Moscow on August 21 to discuss regional and
international issues. Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal led a
delegation of Chief Ministers of Haryana, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh and Goa and about
140 Indian companies to Russia in August 2019 to expand trade, commerce and
investment.
Besides this there have been several frequent high level bilateral conferences
between the two on matters related to security, petroleum and natural gas, coal and
mining, agro-processing and tourism etc.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Russia is an important partner for India in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
It recognizes India as a country with advanced nuclear technology with an impeccable
non-proliferation record.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India with Russian
cooperation.
SPACE COOPERATION
India-Russia cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space dates back to
about four decades. Both sides cooperate in the peaceful uses of outer space,
including satellite launches, GLONASS navigation system, remote sensing and other
societal applications of outer space.
A MoU between ISRO and ROSCOSMOS on Joint Activities in the field of Human
Spaceflight Programme was signed during the 19th Bilateral Summit.
CULTURAL COOPERATION
There is a strong tradition of Indian studies in Russia. JNCC maintains close
cooperation with leading Russian institutions. About 20 Russian Institutions, including
leading universities and schools, regularly teach Hindi to about 1500 Russian students.
Apart from Hindi, languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit
and Pali are taught in Russian Institutions.
There is strong interest among Russian people in Indian dance, music, yoga and
Ayurveda. JNCC has been promoting yoga, classical dance forms and music.
Ministry of Culture annually provides around Rs. 118 Lakhs as grant to over 20
Friendship Societies in Russia for promotion of Indian culture.
(e) INDIA & CHINA
The border conflict in 1962 was a setback to ties between the two. However, Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s landmark visit in 1988 marked the beginning of improvement in
bilateral relations. India-China bilateral relations have expanded and become diversified in
the past decade.
POLITICAL RELATIONS
India and China have established more than thirty dialogue mechanisms at various
levels, covering bilateral political, economic, consular matters as well as dialogues on
regional and global issues.
During the visit of President Xi Jinping to India in September 2014, the two sides signed
16 agreements in various sectors including, commerce & trade, railways, space-
cooperation, pharmaceuticals, establishment of industrial parks, and sister-city
arrangements.
In May 2015 PM Modi and his Chinese counterpart Jinping signed 24 agreements on
government-to-government side, 25 MoUs on business-to-business side and one
agreement on climate change.
The two leaders have also visited each other’s countries to attend various multilateral
summits. Prime Minister Modi visited China in September 2016 to participate in the
G20 Summit and in September 2017 to participate in the BRICS Summit. Similarly
President Xi visited India in October 2016 to participate in the BRICS Summit in Goa.
INVESTMENT
Chinese investment in Indian start-ups has grown over the years. Cumulative Indian
investment in China till September 2017 was US$ 851.91 million.
China has encouraged establishment of many Indian companies in China. Dr Reddy’s
Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma, Matrix Pharma, Infosys, TCS, APTECH, Wipro,
Mahindra Satyam, Essel Packaging, Suzlon Energy, Reliance Industries, Sundaram
Fasteners, Mahindra & Mahindra, TATA Sons, Binani Cements, etc. are some to name
a few.
More than 100 Chinese companies have established offices/operations in India.
EDUCATION RELATIONS
India and China signed Education Exchange Programme (EEP) in 2006, which is an
umbrella agreement for educational cooperation between the two countries.
PM Modi during his visit to China signed a fresh Education Exchange Programme (EEP)
in May 2015, under which Chinese government provides 100 scholarships annually for
Indian students to study in China.
At present, there are more than 23,000 Indian students studying in various universities
in China in various disciplines.
PAKISTAN
India has followed a consistent and principled policy towards Pakistan i.e. in keeping with
its “Neighbourhood First Policy”. India is committed to address issues, if any, bilaterally and
peacefully in keeping with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.
India in its foreign policy with Pakistan has stated that “India will not compromise on
issues related to its national security and take firm and decisive measures to deal with all
attempts to undermine India’s security and territorial integrity”.
CROSS-BORDER TERRORISM
Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remains a core concern
in bilateral relations.
India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to take action to end cross border
terrorism against India and fulfill its assurances given to India at the highest level in
January 2004.
India has emphasized that India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to protect
its national security. For example:
(i) Following cross-border attacks on an army camp in Uri, J&K in September 2016,
India conducted surgical strikes at various terrorist launch pads across the Line of
Control.
(ii) Pulwama cross-border terror attack: On 14 February 2019, 40 security personnel
were martyred in a cross border terror attack in Pulwama, J&K. This terrorist act was
perpetrated by Jaish- e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist
organization. In response 26 February 2019, India carried out an anti-terror air strike
against a training camp of JeM in Balakot, Pakistan.
AFGHANISTAN
The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed in 2011 between the two
sides provides for India’s assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure and
institutions, education and technical assistance to rebuild indigenous Afghan capacity
in different areas, encouraging investment in Afghanistan's natural resources,
providing duty free access to the Indian market for Afghanistan's exports etc.
The second Strategic Partnership Council meeting was held in New Delhi in
September 2017. India agreed to implement some important new projects such as the
Shahtoot Dam, water irrigation project, drinking water project for Kabul, road
connectivity, promotion of tourism and low-cost housing. India also committed to take
up 116 projects in 34 provinces of Afghanistan in the areas of education, health,
agriculture, irrigation, drinking water, renewable energy, flood control, micro-hydro
power, sports and administrative infrastructure.
India and Afghanistan share centuries old cultural heritage with deep-rooted
linkages in the field of music, arts, architecture, language and cuisine. Indian films,
songs and TV serials are popular with the masses, contributing significantly to the
popularization of Hindi and familiarization of the populace with Indian socio -cultural
value system.
NEPAL
As close neighbours, India and Nepal share unique ties of friendship and
cooperation characterized by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people
contacts of kinship and culture. There has been a long tradition of free movement of
people across the border. Nepal shares a border of over 1850 km with five Indian
states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of
the special relations that exist between India and Nepal. Nepalese citizens avail
facilities and opportunities on par with Indian citizens in accordance with the
provisions of the Treaty. Nearly 6 million Nepalese citizens live and work in India.
MYANMAR
India shares religious, linguistic and ethnic ties with Myanmar.
PM Modi in his visit to Myanmar in September 2017, signed 12 MoUs in various
sectors on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
India under the MoU on Rakhine State Development Program has committed
to giving $25 million of assistance to Myanmar over a period of 5 years.
Defence cooperation between the two countries continues to strengthen.
High-level visits, enhanced training, capacity building and support in provision of
specific equipment and technologies have led to a more wholesome relationship and
better understanding of mutual security concerns.
BANGLADESH
PM Narendra Modi paid a State visit to Bangladesh in April 2017. During the visit, he
signed 36 bilateral documents.
There are more than 60 bilateral institutional mechanisms between India and
Bangladesh in the areas of security, trade & commerce, power & energy, transport &
connectivity, science and technology, defence, rivers & maritime affairs etc.
Various Joint exercises of Army (Exercise Sampriti) and Navy (Exercise Milan) take
place between two countries.
Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.
BHUTAN
The basic framework of India- Bhutan bilateral relations is the Treaty of Friendship and
Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries and revised in February 2007.
Government of India has consistently supported the socio-economic development of
Bhutan. Hydro-power cooperation between the two countries is an example of win-win
cooperation.
Government of India has consistently supported the socio-economic development of
Bhutan. Hydro-power cooperation between the two countries is an example of win-win
cooperation.
India is Bhutan's largest trading partner.
Govt. of India provides to scholarship to Bhutanese students to study in India.
Currently there are more than 4000 Bhutanese students are enrolled in Indian
Universities.
SRI LANKA
Three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to an
end in May 2009.
India has promised to invest and promote Sri Lankan tourism.
Both countries have held joint navy exercises in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian
Ocean.