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What is Foreign Policy?
It is a set of principles that lays out the plan of action for diplomatic dealings with other nations, international bodies and regional groupings.
The foreign policy of a country is dependent upon a lot of different factors. These factors are called the determinants of foreign policy. They are discussed below:

Determinants of Foreign Policy

  • National Interest
    The national interests of a country can be broadly categorised into two groups, Core Interests and Temporary Interests.
    (1) Core Interests are the issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, protection of diaspora, economic development, energy security, role in world affairs, etc.
    (2) Temporary Interests for example voting on issues in international fora like UN.
  • History
    When you study international relations and foreign policy, you will realise that much of the dynamics in international geopolitics is a result of history. The effect of World War II and Cold War is clearly seen in the regional groupings that have formed. Colonial history of many nations also make them suspicious about neocolonial policies of some countries. The tensions in the Korean Peninsula is the result of the Cold War. The Indo Pak relations are also a direct result of the recent history. So history defines foreign policy to a great extent.
  • Geography
    Geography of a country is critical in determining its foreign policy. For example the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea is because Russia wants access to warm sea waters so that they can continue trade all year round. Some of the important trade routes in the seas are points of contention between many countries. Many countries are involved in boundary disputes for decades.
  • Culture
    The cultural influence of a country increases its soft power. For example, Buddhism is always a talking point between India and countries in East/South-East Asia where Buddhism is followed widely. Similarly the influence of Indian civilisation in the neighbouring countries and the Bollywood increase India’s soft power. Often the relations between India and its neighbours are strained because the countries share Indian cultural identity and it creates identity crisis for neighbours.
  • Polity
    It is much easier to deal with a country which is a democracy rather than the one which is a theocracy or a dictatorship. Thus the kind of political set up modifies the kind of foreign policy towards the country. For example with Pakistan due to the control of military over the elected government, engaging with the PM is not always effective.
  • Diaspora
    Diaspora means the people who have spread in different countries other than their country of origin. The Indian diaspora is widely distributed across the world. They form some of the most influential classes in the developed countries. Thus they have strong influence on the policies of their host country towards India.
  • Public opinion
    General public opinion of the country also influences its foreign policy. For example, anti-Vietnam war protests in USA had ultimately forced President Nixon to virtually end the war in 1973. Public perception of friendliness or enmity towards a country has political importance for the government and hence its influence over the foreign policy towards that country.
  • Leadership or Ideology of the Government
    For most of the last century, there was a divide in the world along ideologies of Communism and Capitalism. These days we see a lot of right-leaning governments are adopting protectionism and nation-first policies. USA under Trump has been making changes to its Visa policy and Trade Agreements.

Objectives of India’s Foreign Policy
The objectives of India’s Foreign Policy have been clearly defined in the Constitution of India vide Article 51:
The State shall endeavour to —

  • promote international peace and security;
  • maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
  • foster respect for international law and 
  • encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
The principles of Indian foreign policy have been the following:

  • Anti-Colonialism
    India has suffered for a long time under colonial oppression. Hence anti-colonialism has been a core principle in its foreign policy. In this regard, after gaining independence, India had advocated freedom from colonialism for all other countries. India also provided leadership for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to all such countries with colonial history.
  • Equal Sovereignty
    India believes that all nations, regardless of their size or economic or military power, are equal. They all enjoy equal sovereignty which must be respected.
  • Non-Aligned
    For a long period, India kept itself distanced from the Capitalist/Communist Blocks led by USA and USSR respectively. This neutrality was called non-alignment. However, in recent times, there has been a slight shift in that policy as China has emerged in the neighbourhood as a world power.
  • Panchsheel
    The Panchsheel was a set of five principles of foreign policy given by Jawaharlal Nehru. It will be explained below separately.
  • Gujral Doctrine
    It was a set of five principles adopted by former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral. It is explained below separately.

Panchsheel of Indian Foreign Policy
The Panchsheel of Nehru was a set of five principles to guide India’s policy in conducting its foreign relations. They were:

  • Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
  • Mutual non-aggression
  • Mutual non-interference in internal affairs
  • Equality and mutual benefit
  • Peaceful co-existence

Gujral Doctrine
Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral had adopted a set of five principles to guide the conduct of India’s foreign relations with its immediate neighbours, particularly with Pakistan. Those principles were:

Principles of Gujral Doctrine

  • Assymetric favour
    India will show big heart towards its neighbours and extend asymmetric support for their development.
  • No South Asian country should allow the use of its territory against the interest of other countries.
  • Non-interference in the internal matters of each other
  • Respect for mutual integrity and sovereignty
  • Settle disputes through bilateral negotiations.

Application of Gujral Doctrine

  • Mahakali River Project was gifted to Nepal,
  • Freezing of border disputes with China
  • Ganga Water sharing agreement with Bangladesh in 1996 allowed it to withdraw more water than even what 1977 agreement allowed
  • People-to-people contact between India and Pakistan were increased by easing visa restrictions, movements of cultural groups across borders etc.

Drawbacks of Gujral Doctrine

  • Though India offered asymmetric support to its neighbours, it is not as resource rich as China. China has often outcompeted India in its neighbourhood, e.g. Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Nepal’s shift towards China etc.
  • There are internal security challenges that are promoted by Pakistan in Indian territory. Trusting such a neighbour was dangerous.
  • Gujral doctrine had weakened RA&W’s intelligence gathering activities in Pakistan as our assets were exposed.
  • It affected India’s ability to conduct covert strikes against terrorist organisations operating from Pakistan and PoK.
The document Principles of Indian Foreign Policy | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course Indian Polity for UPSC CSE.
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FAQs on Principles of Indian Foreign Policy - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

1. What are the guiding principles of Indian foreign policy?
Ans. The guiding principles of Indian foreign policy are as follows: 1. Non-alignment: India adheres to a policy of non-alignment, which means it does not align with any power bloc or alliance. It maintains friendly relations with all nations and avoids getting involved in power conflicts. 2. Panchsheel: India follows the principles of Panchsheel, which include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, and peaceful coexistence. 3. Focus on regional cooperation: India gives importance to regional cooperation and actively participates in regional organizations like SAARC, BIMSTEC, and ASEAN. 4. Striving for world peace: India promotes peace and advocates for disarmament and peaceful resolutions of conflicts through dialogue and negotiations. 5. Economic diplomacy: Indian foreign policy aims to promote economic growth and development through trade, investment, and economic cooperation with other countries.
2. How does India practice non-alignment in its foreign policy?
Ans. India practices non-alignment in its foreign policy through the following ways: 1. Maintaining strategic autonomy: India maintains its independence and does not align itself with any power bloc or alliance. It pursues its national interests without being influenced by external pressures. 2. Engaging with multiple countries: India maintains friendly relations with countries from different regions and ideologies. It seeks to build partnerships and cooperation with a diverse range of nations. 3. Balancing act: India navigates its relations with major powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, by maintaining strategic autonomy and avoiding dependence on any single country. 4. Promoting global South-South cooperation: India actively engages with developing countries and promotes cooperation among nations of the Global South. It strives to be a voice for the concerns and interests of developing countries on the global stage. 5. Participating in international forums: India actively participates in international forums like the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, and BRICS, where it can voice its concerns and play a role in shaping global policies.
3. What is the significance of the Panchsheel principles in Indian foreign policy?
Ans. The significance of the Panchsheel principles in Indian foreign policy is as follows: 1. Promoting peaceful coexistence: Panchsheel principles emphasize peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among nations. This promotes harmony and reduces the chances of conflicts and wars. 2. Respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity: Panchsheel principles emphasize the importance of respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This helps in maintaining peaceful relations and avoiding territorial disputes. 3. Non-aggression and non-interference: Panchsheel principles advocate non-aggression and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This helps in building trust and fostering cooperation among nations. 4. Enhancing regional cooperation: By following Panchsheel principles, India promotes regional cooperation and integration. It helps in resolving regional conflicts and promoting stability and economic development in the region. 5. Shaping India's global image: India's adherence to Panchsheel principles enhances its reputation as a peace-loving nation that respects the sovereignty and rights of other countries. It helps in building trust and goodwill among the international community.
4. How does India contribute to world peace through its foreign policy?
Ans. India contributes to world peace through its foreign policy in the following ways: 1. Peacekeeping operations: India actively participates in United Nations peacekeeping missions and has been one of the largest contributors of troops. It plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in conflict-affected regions. 2. Advocacy for disarmament: India advocates for global disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. It actively participates in international forums and pushes for the elimination of nuclear weapons to ensure a safer world. 3. Dialogue and diplomacy: India promotes peaceful resolutions of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. It actively engages in diplomatic efforts to mediate and facilitate negotiations between conflicting parties. 4. Combating terrorism: India is committed to fighting terrorism and works closely with other nations to counter this global threat. It shares intelligence, cooperates in law enforcement, and advocates for international cooperation to eliminate terrorism. 5. Development assistance: India provides developmental assistance to other countries, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, and infrastructure. By promoting development and reducing poverty, India contributes to building stable societies and promoting peace.
5. How does India prioritize regional cooperation in its foreign policy?
Ans. India prioritizes regional cooperation in its foreign policy through the following measures: 1. Active participation in regional organizations: India actively participates in regional organizations like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). It engages with other member countries to address regional challenges and foster cooperation. 2. Bilateral and multilateral initiatives: India engages in bilateral and multilateral initiatives with neighboring countries to promote regional cooperation. Examples include the India-Nepal Joint Commission, India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission, and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework. 3. Connectivity projects: India invests in connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor, Chabahar Port, and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative to enhance regional connectivity and promote trade and economic cooperation. 4. People-to-people exchanges: India promotes people-to-people exchanges through cultural exchanges, educational scholarships, and tourism. This helps in fostering mutual understanding and building stronger regional ties. 5. Addressing regional challenges: India actively participates in addressing regional challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and natural disasters through cooperation and coordination with regional partners. It recognizes the importance of collective action in addressing shared challenges.
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