Indian Foreign Policy: Phases, Shifts and the Future

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ClearIAS Team October 12, 2022

Foreign policy is the instrument to realize the national interest of a country. What
are different phases of Indian foreign policy? Read here.

India is on its path to become a regional superpower with considerable influence in global
affairs.

Our foreign policy is a critical component in projecting this image and achieving many of
its objectives.

Read here to know more about Indian foreign policy and its future.

Table of Contents

Indian Foreign Policy

Indian Foreign Policy: Phases
1. The Power of Ideas (1947-1962)
2. The Fractured Years (1962-1970)
3. The Idea of Power (1971-1989)
4. The Years of Reflection (1990-1998)
5. The Reality of Power (1998-2011)
6. Back to the Future (2011-2014)
7. Enlightened National Interest (2014)
Indian Foreign Policy: Future

Indian Foreign Policy

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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, which is marked by the Cold War rivalry between NATO and the
Warsaw Pact, the founding of the UN, the weapons race, notably the nuclear arms race,
anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism, etc.

The 3 S’s – Space for Strategic Autonomy, Stability – Both Within and in the
Neighbourhood, Strength – Economic, Military, and Soft Power to Protect and Advance
Indian Interests – have been mentioned by many specialists as the best way to
summarise the objectives of Indian Foreign Policy.

The extent to which Indian foreign policy has succeeded in achieving these objectives is
debatable. What is undeniable, though, is that foreign policy plays a critical role in
ensuring that India achieves her goals as a country both now and in the future.

Let’s examine the many stages of our foreign policy’s development and the underlying
elements that have influenced it.

Indian Foreign Policy: Phases

Indian Foreign Policy can divided into seven phases of evolution:

1. The Power of Ideas (1947-1962)

2. The Fractured Years (1962-1970)
3. The Idea of Power (1970-1989)
4. The Years of Reflection (1990-1998)
5. The Reality of Power (1998-2011)
6. Back to the Future (2011-2014)
7. Enlightened National Interest (2014)

1. 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.

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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.

2. 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.

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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.

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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.

Read Foreign relations notes here.

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.

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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.

Article Written by: Remya

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