Laxmikanth Summary: Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

The international order is undergoing a profound transformation driven by political, economic and technological changes. These include shifts in great-power behaviour, the rise of new economic centres, regional re-assertions, transnational challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and advances in connectivity and digital technology. Understanding India's foreign policy requires both a study of recent external events and a review of how India's approach has evolved since 1947.

Key Highlights of the Contemporary International Environment

• Unilateral shifts by major powers: Policies such as America First reflect tendencies towards unilateralism rather than multilateral leadership.
• Re-balancing of the global economy: The economic rise of China and India and the re-emergence of dynamic Asian economies are changing global economic influence.
• Resurgence of regional powers: Renewed assertiveness of states such as Russia, Iran and Turkey is reshaping regional geopolitics.
• Flux in the Middle East: Protracted crises (for example in Syria and Afghanistan) and the activities of non-state violent groups (for example ISIS) continue to affect regional and global security.
• Opportunities in Africa: Africa's growing economies and demographics have led commentators to call it the "continent of hope".
• Technology, connectivity and trade as power metrics: Digital networks, supply chains and infrastructure connectivity increasingly determine strategic advantage.
• Climate change and new sea routes: Environmental change is altering strategic calculus, for example through the opening of new Arctic passages and the resultant implications for shipping and resource access.

Phases of Indian Foreign Policy Since Independence

(i) The first phase (1947-1962): Optimistic Non-Alignment

• The world was largely bipolar, led by the United States and the Soviet Union.
• India's principal objectives were to safeguard sovereignty, rebuild its economy and consolidate territorial integrity.
• India played a central role in shaping the idea of Non-Alignment, culminating in the creation of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) as a vehicle for Third World solidarity; earlier multilateral forums such as the Bandung Conference (1955) provided important precursors to NAM.

(ii) The second phase (1962-1971): Realism and recovery

• The 1962 Sino-Indian war produced a shift from purely idealist postures towards pragmatic security choices.
• India began to consider external partnerships in the interest of national defence; it negotiated defence understandings and looked beyond non-alignment when needed.
• Diplomatic pressures and interventions by external powers influenced regional disputes; for example, the Tashkent Agreement (1965) mediated the India-Pakistan conflict of that year, with both sides agreeing to withdraw to pre-war positions and restore diplomatic relations.

(iii) The third phase (1971-1991): Greater regional assertion

• India used military power in 1971 to intervene in East Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh; this demonstrated India's readiness to act decisively in its neighbourhood.
• At the same time the emergence of a US-China-Pakistan alignment complicated India's strategic position.
• India's nuclear experiment in 1974 (Pokhran I) led to sanctions from some Western countries and influenced India's strategic calculus.
• The collapse of the USSR, the Gulf War and prolonged domestic economic difficulties culminated in the 1991 Balance of Payments crisis, prompting a re-examination of both domestic policy and external engagement.

(iv) The fourth phase (1991-1998): Safeguarding strategic autonomy

• The unipolar moment under US predominance encouraged India to diversify its relations while protecting its independent strategic choices.
• India emphasised retaining the nuclear option as part of its strategic autonomy, a process that culminated in the nuclear tests of Pokhran II (1998).

(v) The fifth phase (1998-2013): India as a balancing power

• India increasingly took positions consistent with a balancing role vis-à-vis the rise of China and other regional dynamics.
• This period saw growing strategic and civilisational engagement with the United States, encapsulated in the India-US nuclear cooperation (commonly referred to as the 123 Agreement), and expanding defence and economic ties with other democracies.

(vi) The sixth phase (2013-present): Energetic engagement and multi-alignment

• India's traditional non-alignment has evolved into a policy of multi-alignment: engaging multiple global and regional actors to maximise strategic space.
• India has become more confident in projecting economic and technological capabilities and in shaping global discussions on climate change, counter-terrorism, digital governance and maritime security.
• Examples of India's outward engagement include initiatives directed at its maritime neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood: the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision for the Indian Ocean, the Act East policy for engagement with East and Southeast Asia, and outreach to West Asia and Africa through diplomatic and development cooperation.
• Key elements that define this phase include greater economic ambition, technological outreach, and selective strategic partnerships across regions.
• Practical manifestations of multi-alignment appear in India's simultaneous engagement in groupings such as the Quad, SCO, RIC (Russia-India-China) talks, and trilateral or bilateral platforms with the United States, Japan, Russia and others-requiring careful hedging between competing interests.

Lessons from India's foreign policy history

1. Need for greater realism in policy:

   At times, a focus on diplomatic visibility or principled positions led to an under-estimation of hard security realities. India's experience indicates that soft power and diplomacy must be complemented by credible defence capabilities and strategic institutions. The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and reform of defence management are steps toward addressing this gap.

2. Need for a strong economy:

   Economic strength underpins diplomatic and strategic influence. China's global reach has been enabled by its economic rise and initiatives such as the Belt and Road. India's ambitions to be a major global actor depend on sustained economic growth, export competitiveness, trade connectivity and infrastructure investment.

3. Need for multi-alignment and strategic hedging:

   Contemporary geopolitics combines competition with interdependence. India benefits from engaging multiple powers to preserve options and expand strategic space. However, managing relationships simultaneously with the US, China, Russia, regional organisations and neighbours requires careful hedging to avoid entanglement or loss of autonomy.

4. Willingness to accept calibrated risks:

   A low-risk foreign policy is likely to yield limited rewards. India's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in countries such as Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Yemen and Mozambique demonstrate both capability and willingness to act. Greater strategic assertiveness-calibrated and informed-can translate into enhanced influence.

5. Importance of accurate reading of international intent and alignments:

   Misreading geopolitical alignments can have long-term costs. Historical instances where expectations from external actors did not materialise highlight the need for careful assessment of motives, capacities and alliances when deciding to internationalise bilateral disputes or seek multilateral adjudication.

Practical Implications for Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy

• India should continue to consolidate its economic fundamentals-trade, manufacturing, technology and energy security-to support a more expansive foreign policy.
• Strategic hedging must be accompanied by clearer doctrine and institutional capacity so that India can simultaneously engage multiple partners without strategic drift.
• Investment in defence preparedness, diplomacy, development cooperation and technological partnerships will increase India's leverage in regional and global fora.
• India's participation in global rule-making (climate negotiations, counter-terrorism, digital governance, maritime regimes) should be proactive and guided by national interest as well as by normative commitments.

Conclusion

In an era of geopolitical transformation, India's foreign policy needs to be pragmatic, economically underpinned and flexible in partnerships. Working with multiple partners on different agendas-balancing sovereignty, strategic autonomy and global responsibilities-remains essential. The principles captured by slogans of domestic politics, such as Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, find resonance in diplomacy too: inclusive development, broad cooperation and mutual trust should guide India's international engagement.