Recent Development in India's Foreign Policy - 1 | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

India’s Foreign Policy: An Overview

• Indian foreign policy is the result of intense interaction between the government, institutions, and socio-political actors.
• Over the past fifty-six years since independence, Indian foreign policy has been characterized as Non-Aligned by both domestic and international observers.
• Despite the absence of an alternative framework, the Indian political class continues to describe foreign policy within the non-alignment framework.
• This unit will explore the origins, evolution, and key developments of non-alignment in Indian foreign policy since independence.
• It will also examine the fluctuations in India’s relations with major world powers and neighboring countries.

Indian Foreign Policy under Nehru in the Formative Years

• Indians gained control over their foreign policy only after becoming independent from British colonial rule in 1947.
• The newly independent India was thrust into global affairs during the Cold War, a period of tension between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR).
• Both superpowers emerged victorious from the Second World War.
• Before independence in August 1947, an interim government led by Jawaharlal Nehru was established in September 1946.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, faced a dilemma regarding his political alignment.
• Despite being Western-educated, Nehru was drawn to Marxist ideas.
• Aligning with either bloc would jeopardize India's independence.
• Nehru chose to maintain India's autonomy and pursue an independent foreign policy, known as non-alignment.
• On September 7, 1946, Nehru outlined the basic principles of India's foreign policy in a broadcast from New Delhi.
• His goals included the end of colonialism and racism, independence from power blocs, and fostering close ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
• Nehru emphasized India's commitment to participating in international conferences as a free nation.
• Non-alignment meant avoiding entanglement in military alliances.
• Following World War II, the US and the Soviet Union established competing military alliances: NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
• Both superpowers promoted regional alliances to attract newly independent nations in Asia and Africa.
• Non-alignment was a positive stance allowing India to retain independence in decision-making.
• There was no pre-commitment to support either side in a conflict.
• In India's neighborhood, the US established the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO).
• These organizations were aimed at countering communism from the Soviet Union.
• Pakistan joined these treaties primarily to secure military aid from the US.
• This alignment intensified tensions between India and Pakistan.
• The US-backed military alliances complicated India-US relations, especially regarding the Kashmir issue.
• Nehru brought the Kashmir crisis to the UN after Pakistan's aggression in 1948.
• Nehru had faith in international organizations and their sense of justice.
• The UN called for a ceasefire and demanded that Pakistan withdraw its forces.
• Nehru promised to hold a plebiscite to determine Kashmir's future.
• The Kashmir issue became entangled in the Cold War rivalry between the US and the USSR.
• With Pakistan allied to the US, the Kashmir issue was used to pressure India politically.
• Nehru maintained close ties with the British Commonwealth of Nations.
• He sought membership for the Indian Republic, but Britain was not interested in resolving the Kashmir conflict.
• The US could have played a role in mediating the dispute during Nehru's visit in 1949.
• Secretary of State Dean Acheson found it challenging to establish a productive relationship with Nehru.
• Acheson's successor, John Foster Dulles, also had a strained relationship with India.
• Dulles wanted India to join US-led alliances, focusing on promoting military pacts.
• Nehru's non-alignment policy clashed with Dulles's agenda.
• Dulles criticized non-alignment as immoral for not taking a firm stance against communism.
• The Soviet Union offered support to India, aiming to strengthen ties with non-aligned nations.
• The Soviet Union used its veto power in the UN to protect Indian interests during Cold War politics.
• This support was particularly relevant regarding the Kashmir issue.

Tilt in Non-alignment

India's Support for the Soviet Union in the UN (1956)

• During a UN discussion on Soviet military intervention in Hungary in 1956, India voted against a resolution condemning the Soviet actions. This decision raised questions about India's stance and drew criticism both domestically and internationally.
• India's Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, defended the vote by explaining that the resolution could set a precedent for similar demands in Kashmir. Despite India's opposition to the military intervention, the decision was noted globally. Even neutral countries, like India, expressed concern over Soviet actions.

Background of the Hungary Crisis (1956)

• In 1956, Hungary experienced a significant uprising against Soviet control, with the populace advocating for democratic reforms. In response, the Soviet Union intervened militarily to suppress the pro-democracy movement and install a pro-communist government.
• The situation escalated to the point where the United Nations became involved, with the General Assembly addressing the crisis and proposing a resolution calling for the Soviet withdrawal from Hungary.

India's Position in the UN

• During the UN discussions on the Hungarian crisis, India voted against the five-power resolution that criticized the Soviet intervention.
• This decision was met with disapproval both within India and from the international community, raising questions about India's support for the Soviet actions.

Nehru's Justification

• Prime Minister Nehru attempted to justify India's vote by explaining the specific circumstances that influenced the decision.
• One of his main arguments was that the resolution proposed holding elections in Hungary under United Nations supervision, a stipulation that could potentially be used to demand similar actions in Kashmir.

Global Reaction

• Despite India's stance, the global community recognized that India did not entirely support the Soviet military intervention in Hungary.
• Historian Thomas A. Bailey noted in his work that even neutral countries like India were compelled to condemn the Soviet's brutal actions during the intervention.

India-China Border War

Strengths and Weaknesses of Non-Alignment in Indian Foreign Policy (1962 Crisis)

• The non-alignment policy showed its strengths and weaknesses during the crisis of 1962, particularly in the context of Chinese aggression.
• Peace and friendship with China were central to India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Nehru and Defence Minister Krishna Menon. They did not foresee a threat from Communist China, focusing more on the threat from Pakistan.
• Nehru preferred political negotiations to resolve territorial disputes, underestimating the role of military strength in diplomacy. This approach led him to seek UN intervention during Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir (1947-48), despite the Indian army being capable of repelling the Pakistani forces.
• In 1954, Nehru accepted China's claim over Tibet, conceding Indian rights without gaining any reciprocal benefits. This was part of a broader trend where China sought to diminish India's influence in Tibet, culminating in the Sino-Tibetan Agreement of 1951, which solidified Chinese control over Tibet.
• To appease China, Nehru and Chou En-lai signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, based on principles like mutual respect and non-aggression. However, this agreement was seen as a weak attempt to counter China's territorial ambitions, which were evident from Chinese military activities in disputed areas.
• Despite ongoing Chinese military actions, Nehru assured Parliament in 1957 that India would not face military conflict with China. However, by 1959, China had taken control of Tibet, and in 1962, Chinese forces defeated India, occupying strategic positions and dismantling India's border defenses.
• US Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith noted India's military inadequacies against China. Nehru could have been more flexible in seeking US support during the Tibetan crisis, which might have strengthened India's position against China in 1962.
• Nehru's "defense by friendship" approach towards China failed, leading to disillusionment and political fallout, including the resignation of Defence Minister Krishna Menon.
• J. Bandopadhyaya critiques Nehru's idealistic view of India-China relations as a lack of strategic planning in foreign policy.

Foreign Policy After Nehru

• In the 1960s, a major question debated was 'After Nehru, Who?'
• Jawaharlal Nehru's death in 1964 led to Lal Bahadur Shastri becoming Prime Minister.
• Shastri's time in office was brief as he passed away in January 1966.
• He signed the Tashkent Agreement with Ayub Khan, the military ruler of Pakistan.
• Shastri's foreign policy marked a significant shift from Nehru's broader international focus.
• Nehru envisioned a larger role for India in global affairs.
• He participated actively in events like the 1955 Bandung Conference.
• Nehru advocated for communist China’s inclusion in the United Nations.
• He acted as a mediator between China and the US during the Korean War.
• In contrast, Shastri concentrated on improving relations within South Asia.
• Shastri's perceived weakness led to conflicts with Pakistan, including the 1965 war.
• The initial conflict occurred in the Rann of Kutch, a disputed area between West Pakistan and Gujarat.
• Pakistan claimed the region was a lake, advocating for a boundary in its middle.
• India argued it was marshland with clearly demarcated boundaries.
• Hostilities erupted in 1965, leading to British intervention and arbitration.
• Despite Pakistan's claims, the arbitrators awarded 900 square kilometers to Pakistan.
• This was a fraction of its original claim.
• During this time, China's nuclear bomb test in October 1964 went unanswered by India.
• The Non-Aligned Conference in Cairo urged China to refrain from nuclear arms.
• Another significant challenge for Shastri was the 1965 India-Pakistan War.
• This war was reminiscent of the 1947-48 conflict.
• Ayub Khan believed India's weakness justified his actions.
• While Pakistan captured some territory in Jammu and Kashmir, India opened a second front towards Lahore.
• The United States, preoccupied with the Vietnam War, imposed an arms embargo on both nations.
• In contrast, the Soviet Union facilitated the Tashkent Agreement.
• The Soviet Union invited Shastri and Khan to negotiate.
• After extensive negotiations, the agreement was signed.
• India agreed to return captured territories, a decision met with opposition from Indian political parties.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s Tenure

Indira Gandhi's Leadership and the Bangladesh War

• Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister after Lal Bahadur Shastri and had the longest tenure after Jawaharlal Nehru.
• In the 1970 elections, she consolidated her power.
• The major foreign policy event during her tenure was the Bangladesh war with Pakistan in 1971.

Background of the Crisis

• In December 1970, Pakistan held its first democratic election. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won in West Pakistan, while the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, won in East Pakistan.
• According to democratic principles, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman should have been invited to form the government. However, Bhutto and military dictator Yahya Khan refused to transfer power to him.
• Instead, Yahya Khan imposed martial law, appointed Lt. General Tikka Khan as Governor, and sent the military to suppress the East Pakistan movement in March 1971.
• Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was arrested, leading to widespread protests in East Pakistan. The military responded with severe human rights violations, including massacres, rapes, and a genocide against Hindus.
• Over 12 million refugees, both Muslims and Hindus, fled to West Bengal, creating an economic and law and order crisis for India.

Indira Gandhi's Response

• Indira Gandhi toured Western countries to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in East Pakistan.
• While the US was secretly improving relations with China with Pakistan's help, Gandhi prepared for military intervention.
• The Indian Army preferred intervention in winter to avoid Chinese interference.

Course of the War

• On December 3, 1971, Pakistan attacked to divert Indian troops to the West.
• India intervened massively in the East, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh.
• Indian forces, at their best, accepted the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani troops.

International Reactions

• The US, especially under President Nixon, was upset with India's victory, viewing it as a defeat for the US and an increase in Soviet influence.
• To support West Pakistan, Nixon ordered the nuclear-powered warship Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal.
• In response,the Soviet Union sent its own nuclear-powered ship, supporting India and using its UN Security Council veto to back India against US resolutions condemning Indian actions.

Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1971

Shift Towards the Soviet Union in India's Non-Alignment Policy

• During Jawaharlal Nehru's time, India showed a pro-Soviet inclination within the framework of non-alignment.
• By the 1970s, the non-alignment movement globally appeared more sympathetic to the Soviet Union.
• Cuba, as part of the non-aligned movement, even proposed that the Soviet Union was a 'natural ally' of non-aligned nations during the 1979 NAM Summit in Havana.
• This shift became clear in Indo-Soviet relations.
• Before the 1971 Bangladesh war, India signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the Soviet Union.
• Key points of the treaty included:
  • Immediate mutual consultations if either country faced a military threat.
  • Support for appropriate effective measures.
  • Acceptance of India's non-alignment policy by the Soviet Union.
• The treaty was criticized by the United States as a departure from India's non-alignment.
• However, it was India's response to the changing global dynamics.
• Since 1962, Pakistan and China had allied against India, following the logic of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
• The US was already strengthening ties with Pakistan through military alliances.
• President Richard Nixon was also working to establish relations with China to counterbalance the perceived power of the Soviet Union.

Simla Agreement, 1972

Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Simla Agreement

• The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 ended with the signing of the Simla Agreement between Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
• Under the agreement, both countries committed to resolving their differences through peaceful means and bilateral negotiations.
• They agreed to respect each other's national unity and territorial integrity and to refrain from actions that could disrupt regional peace.
• Pakistan regained all territories lost in West Pakistan during the war and secured the release of Prisoners of War (POWs) taken in Bangladesh.
• POWs were released in 1973 after India obtained the consent of Bangladesh.
• India received assurances of good behavior from Pakistan, which Pakistan was unable to uphold in practice.
• The opposition, particularly the Jan Sangh (the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party), criticized the terms of the Simla Agreement.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then External Affairs Minister in the Janata Party government, suggested in April 1978 that the agreement was possible due to a “secret and midnight” understanding between Gandhi and Bhutto.

Nuclear Test of 1974

Mrs. Gandhi's Legacy in Strengthening India's Global Position

• Mrs. Gandhi is remembered for her determination to elevate India to the status of a major global power, translating her predecessor Jawaharlal Nehru's idealism into action.
• Nehru had an idealistic vision for India's future, predicting in 1954 that India would emerge as the fourth major power in the world after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
• However, Mrs. Gandhi took a more realistic approach and made significant decisions to strengthen India's position on the global stage.
• One of her most notable actions was the nuclear test in May 1974 at Pokharan, which showcased India's nuclear capabilities.
• Following China's nuclear tests in 1964, there was increasing domestic pressure on the Indian government to develop nuclear weapons. While Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri did not publicly endorse this demand, his External Affairs Minister, Swaran Singh, acknowledged India's potential to achieve nuclear capability within a short timeframe.
• Shastri had earlier authorized the Atomic Energy Commission to work on bomb design in 1964.
• The 1974 test, though presented as a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE), was a demonstration of India's nuclear capability. Mrs. Gandhi's reasoning was influenced by past events, such as the US's nuclear threats during the 1971 Bangladesh war and warnings from Henry Kissinger regarding US support in conflicts with China.
• Through these actions, Mrs. Gandhi aimed to make India self-reliant in its security and establish its strength on the international stage.

Indira Gandhi’s Second Tenure

Mrs. Gandhi's Political Comeback and Foreign Policy Challenges (1977-1980)

• Mrs. Gandhi briefly lost power when the first non-Congress government, led by Morarji Desai, took office in 1977. Charan Singh succeeded Desai for a short term in 1979.
• Mrs. Gandhi returned to power in January 1980. The non-Congress governments under the Janata Party did not significantly impact India's foreign policy.
• Despite promises to shift India’s non-alignment away from the Soviet Union, little changed.
• A major foreign policy challenge arose in December 1979 when the Soviet Union intervened militarily in Afghanistan, a non-aligned country.
• Charan Singh, then Prime Minister, urged the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops to preserve Afghanistan's non-aligned status.
• When the issue was raised at the UN on January 12, 1980, India’s Permanent Representative,Brajesh Mishra, stated India’s opposition to foreign troops in any state, including Afghanistan.
• Mishra emphasized the Soviet Union's assurance to withdraw troops at the Kabul government's request, reflecting India’s close ties with the Soviet Union.
• This statement was seen as aligning with the Soviet Union, contradicting India’s non-aligned stance and causing issues for the non-alignment policy even after the Soviet Union's collapse.
• Mrs. Gandhi, during her campaign, had warned that the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan posed a "danger to India."
• Mishra’s statement did not align with Charan Singh's earlier position on the Soviet intervention.
• The Soviet intervention brought the US-Soviet Cold War closer to India’s borders.
• The US sought India’s cooperation to oust Soviet forces from Afghanistan, aiming to replicate its Vietnam experience in reverse.
• When India declined to assist the US against the Soviets, the US turned to Pakistan for support, offering a substantial military and economic aid package to help Afghan guerrillas (Mujahideen).
• This shift transformed the region into a hub of terrorism fueled by religious fanaticism in the name of Jihad.

Rajiv Gandhi and the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka

Rajiv Gandhi's Inherited Crisis in Sri Lanka

• Background: Rajiv Gandhi inherited an ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka, which escalated significantly in 1983, following Indira Gandhi's handling of the Afghan crisis.
• Humanitarian Efforts: Initially, Rajiv Gandhi aimed to extend humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Tamils in Jaffna, who were suffering due to an economic blockade imposed by the Sri Lankan government.
• Failed Aid Attempts: Despite sending food grains by boat, the Sri Lankan government did not allow the supplies to reach the needy. In response, the Indian Air Force dropped supplies in June 1987 to emphasize India's commitment.
• Sri Lankan Request for Help: Facing threats from the leftist JVP in the South, Sri Lankan President Jayawardane requested Indian assistance to maintain peace in the North.
• India-Sri Lanka Accord (July 1987): Rajiv Gandhi and Jayawardane signed an accord under which Indian troops would be sent to Sri Lanka to maintain peace in the North and East, and to accept arms laid down by the LTTE.
• Provisions of the Accord: The accord included the merger of Tamil-dominated areas in the North and East, holding provincial elections, and devolution of powers to the Tamil community.
• Implementation Issues: Distrust between the parties hindered the smooth implementation of the agreement. The Tamils viewed the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) negatively.
• Withdrawal of IPKF: Amid growing discontent from both the Tamils and the new Sri Lankan president, Premadasa, the IPKF was withdrawn under Rajiv Gandhi's successor, V. P. Singh.
• Consequences: India faced a loss of over 1,000 soldiers and a damaged reputation. The LTTE, in retaliation, assassinated Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991, and later targeted President Premadasa as well.

Narasimha Rao (1991-1996)

Key Achievements of Narasimha Rao's Government

1. Political Survival and Foreign Policy

• Narasimha Rao successfully led a minority government and maintained a consistent foreign policy for a full five-year term.
• He became the first Congress Prime Minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to achieve this.

2. Economic Transition Challenges

• The Rao government faced significant challenges in shifting from a mixed economy to a more globalized economic model.
• This transition was not initially a deliberate policy shift towards liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG).

3. Balance of Payments Crisis

• At the time Rao took office, India was grappling with a severe balance of payments crisis.
• The country had foreign exchange reserves of only Rs 2000 to Rs 2400 crores, sufficient to cover imports for just seven days.

Rao's ability to navigate these challenges marked a significant period in India's economic and foreign policy history.

India–US Relations

Economic Vulnerability and Foreign Pressure on India

• An economically weak government is susceptible to foreign pressure, a situation that the United States, as the only superpower, exploited to its advantage.
• The US exerted pressure on Indian Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao to open up the Indian market to American companies in sectors like computers, information technology, and telecommunications.
• India faced American pressure to rollback and cap its nuclear program, leading to the abandonment of planned nuclear tests in 1995.
• Despite India’s desire to maintain its nuclear option, this became increasingly difficult after the Cold War. India joined the US in co-sponsoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Fissile Material Control Treaty (FMCT).
• In 1995, under Rao’s leadership, India attempted to conduct nuclear tests in Pokhran but was detected by the US, forcing Rao to shelve the program.

Foreign Policy Developments and the NDA Government

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Tenure as Prime Minister

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India in 1998, leading a coalition government made up of 13 political parties.
• However, this government lasted only ten months before it had to step down.
• In the elections held in October 1999, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was elected back to power.
• This marked the first time a coalition government in India successfully held power for nearly four years.

Nuclear Weapons

During its first ten months in power, the BJP government focused on nuclear weapons development and improving relations with Pakistan.

• The BJP has always strongly支持ed India developing nuclear weapons. When it came to power, it planned nuclear tests to officially declare India a nuclear weapons state.
• On May 11, 1998, India surprised the world by conducting three nuclear tests, followed by two more tests on May 13.
• Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced that India was now a nuclear weapons state and stated that no more tests would be needed as all necessary data had been collected. He emphasized that India would maintain only a minimum nuclear deterrent.
• Interestingly, India had attempted to conduct nuclear tests in 1982 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and again in 1995 under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. However, these plans were detected by U.S. intelligence.
• The BJP government deserves credit for planning and executing the nuclear tests without detection.

Attempts to Improve Relations

Improvement of India-Pakistan Relations by PM Vajpayee

• In 1999, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee aimed to improve relations with Pakistan.
• His first step involved a bus trip to Lahore to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
• During this visit, Vajpayee stopped at Minar-e-Pakistan, symbolizing India's acceptance of Pakistan's creation based on Muhammad Ali Jinnah's "two nations" theory.

Historical Context

• Initially, there was strong opposition to Pakistan's creation, but over time, the Hindu Mahasabha became defunct.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the leading party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), never sought to reverse the partition.

Post-Lahore Meeting Developments

• After the Lahore meeting, Sharif announced that the year would be crucial for Kashmir.
• Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh emphasized that after fifty years of independence, the region's map was settled, indicating no changes in geography.

Kargil War

• In May 1999, the Kargil war broke out between India and Pakistan.

• While the two Prime Ministers discussed bilateral relations, the Pakistani Army was preparing for conflict.

• This war was significant as it was the first military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.

• The Pakistani Army aimed to change the status quo along the Line of Control (LoC) to use it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations.

Military Coup and Diplomatic Setbacks

• In October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf led a bloodless coup, ousting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
• This disrupted efforts to normalize relations with Pakistan.
• India responded by boycotting a SAARC meeting and ensuring Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations.
• In early 2001, Vajpayee invited Musharraf for talks in Agra, but the discussions failed due to disagreements over Kashmir.

Impact of Military Rule and Terrorism

• The Pakistani military has influenced all government institutions, exacerbating cross-border terrorism since 1989.
• Relations deteriorated further when, on December 13, 2001, Pakistani terrorists attempted to attack the Indian Parliament.
• Indian security forces thwarted the attack, killing all five terrorists.
• In response, India withdrew its High Commissioner from Islamabad and severed air, rail, and bus links with Pakistan.

Shift in Diplomatic Relations

• India moved closer to the United States, raising questions about the relevance of non-alignment.
• Pakistan, on the other hand, strengthened ties with the U.S. by offering cooperation in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Evolution of Non-Alignment and International Relations

• Non-alignment originated in a bipolar world, but with the end of one pole, the need for military alliances has diminished.
• Non-alignment now allows countries to retain independent decision-making.
• During the Cold War, India leaned towards the Soviet Union, but as Russia has moved closer to the U.S., India collaborating with the U.S. is not out of place.
• India, while cooperating with major powers like the U.S., the EU, and Russia, is also working towards a multipolar world.
• The “Look East” policy strengthened ties with ASEAN countries, and by 2003, relations with China improved significantly.

Summary

Indian Foreign Policy Evolution

• Indian foreign policy has changed significantly over the past 56 years since independence due to various factors.
• The end of the Cold War and the rise of the US as the sole superpower reshaped the international environment.
• Domestically, the shift from a single-party government to a coalition government in the 21st century has also impacted foreign policy.
• The personalities of Prime Ministers have played a role in shaping foreign policy directions.

Framework of Non-Alignment

• Despite these changes, Indian foreign policy remains rooted in the framework of non-alignment.
• Originally relevant in abipolar world, non-alignment now reflects India's commitment to independent policy-making.
• India uses non-alignment to assert its right to judge and respond to international issues on its own terms.

Vision for a Multipolar World

• India aims to promote a multipolar world, envisioning itself as an independent player alongside other major powers.
• This approach allows India to engage with various countries while maintaining its sovereignty and policy independence.