indian foreign policy essay upsc

Indian Foreign Policy | UPSC Mains Essay Preparation PDF Download

To structure and write an essay on Indian Foreign Policy for the UPSC exam, it's essential to follow a clear and coherent format. This includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, each covering specific aspects of the topic. Here's a structured approach to writing your essay:

Introduction

• Opening Quote/Phrase: Start with an impactful quote or phrase that sets the tone for the essay.
• Background: Briefly introduce the concept of Indian Foreign Policy.
• Thesis Statement: Present the main argument or perspective of the essay.
• Overview of Indian Foreign Policy since Independence.
• Key phases and shifts in policy (e.g., Non-Alignment, Look East Policy, Neighbourhood First).
• Discuss the core principles (e.g., Panchsheel, Non-Alignment).
• Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy (e.g., national security, economic growth, global peace).
• Domestic factors (geographical, economic, social).
• International environment and its impact.
• Analysis of specific policies (e.g., Gujral Doctrine, Connect Central Asia Policy).
• India's approach to global issues (e.g., climate change, terrorism).
• Current challenges (e.g., border disputes, economic issues).
• Opportunities in the global arena.
• India's contributions to international peace and security.
• India's evolving role and its global partnerships.
• Summary: Recap the key points discussed.
• Future Outlook: Reflect on the future trajectory of Indian Foreign Policy.
• Closing Quote/Phrase: End with a thoughtful quote or phrase that encapsulates the essence of the essay.

Sample Essay

The following essay serves as a sample for the given topic. Students can add their own ideas and points as well.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." – Augustine of Hippo

In the tapestry of global relations, Indian Foreign Policy stands out as a vibrant and evolving narrative. Since its inception post-independence, India has navigated the complex waters of international politics with a distinct approach shaped by its historical experiences, cultural ethos, and strategic imperatives. The foreign policy of the world's largest democracy is not just a tool for global engagement, but a reflection of its national identity and aspirations.

Historical Context and Evolution

Indian Foreign Policy, since its independence in 1947, has undergone significant transformations. The initial years under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were marked by the principles of Non-Alignment and Panchsheel, emphasizing independence in foreign policy decisions and peaceful coexistence. The Cold War era saw India maintaining a strategic balance between the two superpowers. Post-Cold War, policies like 'Look East' and 'Neighbourhood First' signified a shift towards regional integration and broader economic engagements.

Principles and Objectives

The bedrock of Indian Foreign Policy has been its foundational principles such as Non-Alignment, which advocated for a middle path in a bipolar world, and Panchsheel, embodying the ethos of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. The objectives have been equally clear – safeguarding national sovereignty, promoting economic growth, and contributing to global peace.

Determinants and Features

Domestic factors like geographical location, demographic diversity, and economic dynamics significantly influence India's foreign policy. Internationally, the changing global order, from the disintegration of the USSR to the rise of new powers, continually reshapes India's foreign relations. Features like adherence to international law, support for global disarmament, and commitment to environmental sustainability underscore its policy framework.

Key Policies and Doctrines

Notable doctrines like the Gujral Doctrine, advocating for unconditional bilateralism with neighbors, and the Connect Central Asia Policy, aiming to enhance engagement with the resource-rich region, exemplify India's strategic thinking. The Look East Policy, transformed into Act East under the current government, highlights India's pivot to Southeast Asia, enhancing its economic and strategic linkages.

Challenges and Opportunities

India's foreign policy faces challenges like border disputes, particularly with China and Pakistan, and the need to balance relations with major powers like the US and Russia. Economic challenges, including the need for foreign investment and technology transfer, also shape its international engagements. Conversely, India's growing economic clout and soft power present significant opportunities on the global stage.

India's Role on the Global Stage

India's role in international forums like the United Nations and its participation in peacekeeping missions underscore its commitment to global peace and security. As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and a key player in the G20, BRICS, and SCO, India has been actively involved in shaping the global economic and political discourse.

In conclusion, Indian Foreign Policy, rich in history and brimming with potential, is poised to play an increasingly significant role in the global arena. As it navigates the challenges and leverages the opportunities, India's path will significantly impact not just its own destiny but the broader contours of international relations. In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, "You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water." India's proactive and dynamic foreign policy is a testament to its readiness to cross new seas and explore new horizons.

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Indian Foreign Policy: Phases, Shifts and the Future

Last updated on January 6, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

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

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.

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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:

• The Power of Ideas (1947-1962)
• The Fractured Years (1962-1970)
• The Idea of Power (1970-1989)
• The Years of Reflection (1990-1998)
• The Reality of Power (1998-2011)
• Back to the Future (2011-2014)
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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