Indian Foreign Policy - 1 | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

India’s Foreign Policy: An Overview

• Indian foreign policy is the result of a complex process involving various actors, including the government, institutions, and socio-political groups.
• Since independence, this policy has been characterized as Non-Aligned, a framework still used today due to the absence of a clear alternative.
• This unit will explore the history of Non-Alignment in India, its evolution, and the changes in India's relationships with major world powers and neighboring countries.

Indian Foreign Policy under Nehru in the Formative Years

• Indians gained control over the nation's foreign policy only after gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
• A newly independent India was thrust into global affairs during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• Before independence in August 1947, an interim government led by Jawaharlal Nehru was established in September 1946.
• As the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru faced a dilemma regarding his alignment with global powers.
• Nehru was drawn to Marxist thought, yet he prioritized India's independence in decision-making.
• He chose to pursue an independent foreign policy, known as the policy of non-alignment.
• Nehru outlined basic policy goals in a broadcast on September 7, 1946, before India gained independence.
• Goals included the end of colonialism, racism, independence from power blocs, and close ties with China and Asian neighbors.
• He emphasized India's commitment to participating in international conferences as a free nation.
• Non-alignment was Nehru's solution to India's dilemma, reflecting a historical perspective on alliances.
• Nehru's approach was similar to George Washington's advice to avoid permanent alliances while maintaining friendly relations.
• Nehru's non-alignment meant avoiding entanglement in military alliances established after World War II.
• The US and the Soviet Union formed competing military alliances: NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
• Both superpowers promoted regional alliances to attract newly independent nations in Asia and Africa.
• Non-alignment is distinct from neutrality, allowing India to retain independence in decision-making.
• The US promoted the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in the 1950s.
• Pakistan joined these treaties primarily to receive military aid from the US to confront India.
• Pakistan's membership in these treaties heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
• The US support for Pakistan complicated India-US relations, especially regarding the Kashmir issue.
• Nehru had faith in international organizations and took the Kashmir crisis to the UN.
• The UN ordered a cease-fire and requested Pakistan to withdraw its forces from Kashmir.
• Nehru assured a plebiscite to determine Kashmir's fate, believing in the fairness of the UN.
• The Kashmir issue became a tool for Cold War rivalry, with Pakistan raising the question in the UN.
• Instead of declaring Pakistan the aggressor, the UN used the issue to politically pressure India.
• Nehru maintained close ties with the British Commonwealth, enabling India's membership.
• Britain showed little interest in resolving the Kashmir crisis during Nehru's leadership.
• The US could have helped India resolve the conflict but had strained relations with Nehru.
• Secretary of State Dean Acheson expressed frustration with Nehru regarding Kashmir discussions.
• Acheson's successor, John Foster Dulles, did not maintain friendly relations with India.
• Dulles criticized non-alignment as immoral for not taking a firm stand against communism.
• In this context, the Soviet Union sought to befriend non-aligned nations like India.
• The US aligned with Britain on issues concerning former colonies, including Kashmir.
• Western powers supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, while the Soviet Union protected Indian interests.

Tilt in Non-alignment

• The Soviet Union's Support for India: The Soviet Union aided India in overcoming the challenges posed by Western powers.
• International Norms: Just as in personal relationships, countries do not embarrass friends who come to their aid. This principle was tested during the UN Security Council's discussion on the Soviet military intervention in Hungary in 1956.
• The Hungarian Uprising: In 1956, there was an uprising in Hungary against Soviet control, with the Hungarian people demanding democratic reforms. The Soviet Union intervened militarily to suppress the uprising and install a pro-communist government.
• UN Response: The issue of Soviet intervention in Hungary was brought before the United Nations. The General Assembly discussed the crisis and proposed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
• India's Vote: India voted against the resolution calling for Soviet withdrawal. This decision was met with disapproval both domestically and internationally.
• Nehru's Explanation: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru explained India's decision, arguing that the resolution's demand for UN-supervised elections in Hungary could be used to justify similar demands in Kashmir. Despite India's opposition to military intervention, the vote was criticized globally.
• International Perception: India's stance was noted by historians, such as Thomas A. Bailey, who remarked that even neutral countries like India protested against Soviet actions.

India-China Border War

The strengths and weaknesses of India's non-alignment policy became evident during the crisis following the Chinese aggression in October 1962.

Peace and friendship with China was a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy under Nehru and Defence Minister Krishna Menon, who did not foresee a threat from Communist China and focused more on the threat from Pakistan.

Territorial Disputes and Early Relations with China

• Nehru aimed to resolve territorial disputes through political negotiations rather than force, failing to recognize that military strength could aid in negotiations.
• In 1947-48, during Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, India sought UN intervention instead of relying on military strength.
• In 1954, India conceded China's claim over Tibet by signing an agreement for trade with the "Tibetan region of China," giving up rights in Tibet without any gains from China.

Chinese Aggression and India's Response

• The Chinese People's Liberation Army began asserting control over Tibet, leading to the Sino-Tibetan Agreement in 1951, which formalized Tibet's status as part of China.
• To appease China, Nehru signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, promoting principles like mutual respect and non-aggression.
• However, this agreement failed to prevent China's territorial expansion, as evidenced by military buildup in disputed areas.

Nehru's Miscalculations and the 1962 War

• Despite Chinese military actions, Nehru downplayed the likelihood of conflict with China and the Soviet Union.
• In 1959, China invaded Tibet, and in 1962, Chinese forces defeated India in a border conflict, highlighting the failure of Nehru's foreign policy.
• US Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith noted India's inability to defend against the Chinese attack.

Critique of Nehru's Policy

• Nehru's non-alignment policy limited India's ability to seek help from the US during the Tibetan crisis, which could have strengthened US support during the 1962 conflict.
• His reliance on "defense by friendship" with China proved unsuccessful, leading to disillusionment and the resignation of Defence Minister Krishna Menon.
• J. Bandopadhyaya suggested that Nehru's idealistic view of India-China relations contributed to the lack of strategic planning in foreign policy.

Foreign Policy After Nehru

Shastri's Short Tenure and Foreign Policy Shift

• Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister in 1964 but had a brief tenure, passing away in January 1966 after signing the Tashkent Agreement with Ayub Khan of Pakistan.
• Shastri shifted India's foreign policy focus from global issues to the immediate neighborhood, emphasizing South Asian relations.

Nehru's Vision in International Affairs

• Nehru envisioned a significant role for India in international affairs, participating actively in events like the 1955 Bandung Conference and advocating for communist China's legitimate representation in the UN.
• He played a crucial role in facilitating China's seat at the UN and acted as a mediator between China and the US during the Korean War.

Shastri's Focus and Challenges

• In contrast to Nehru, Shastri concentrated on immediate regional issues, aiming to improve relations within South Asia.
• However, his perceived weakness led to conflicts, including the 1965 war with Pakistan, beginning with territorial disputes in the Rann of Kutch.

Rann of Kutch Dispute

• The Rann of Kutch dispute involved claims over marshy land between West Pakistan and Gujarat, with Pakistan asserting it was a lake and India maintaining it was marshy land.
• Hostilities erupted in 1965, and an agreement was reached to refer the dispute to arbitration due to mutual consent.
• Eventually, arbitrators awarded 900 square kilometers to Pakistan, a fraction of their original claim.

China's Nuclear Bomb and International Response

• Perceptions of India's weakness were exacerbated when China detonated a nuclear bomb in October 1964, with India responding slowly.
• At the non-aligned conference in Cairo in 1964, a delegation was sent to Beijing urging China to refrain from nuclear development, but the Chinese authorities refused to meet them.

India-Pakistan War of 1965

• The India-Pakistan War of 1965 was initiated by Ayub Khan, who believed in India's weakness and hoped for a Kashmiri uprising against India.
• The war saw Pakistan capturing some territory in Jammu and Kashmir, while India opened a second front towards Lahore.
• The US, preoccupied with the Vietnam War, imposed an arms embargo on both countries, while the Soviet Union sought to mediate the conflict.

Tashkent Agreement

• Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin invited Shastri and Ayub Khan to Tashkent to resolve the conflict.
• After extensive negotiations, the Tashkent Agreement was signed, with India agreeing to return captured territories, a decision opposed by opposition parties in India.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s Tenure

Indira Gandhi and the Bangladesh War

• Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister after Lal Bahadur Shastri and had the second-longest tenure after Jawaharlal Nehru.
• In the1970 elections,she consolidated her power.
• Major Foreign Policy Event: TheBangladesh War(1971) with Pakistan.

Background of the Crisis:

• In December 1970, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won in West Pakistan, while Sheikh Mujibur Rehman's Awami League won a majority in East Pakistan.
• Military dictator Yahya Khan should have invited Rehman to form the government, but Bhutto opposed this.
• Yahya Khan imposed martial law instead of transferring power and sent the army to East Pakistan in March 1971.

Human Rights Violations:

• The Pakistani military committed severe human rights abuses, including massacres, rapes, and a genocide against Hindus.
• Over 12 million refugees, both Muslims and Hindus, fled to West Bengal, causing economic and law enforcement challenges for India.

Indira Gandhi's Response:

• She informed Western leaders about the humanitarian crisis and prepared the Indian Army for intervention.
• Pakistan attacked India on December 3, 1971, to preempt Indian action.
• India intervened massively in East Pakistan, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh.

Aftermath:

• Over90,000 Pakistani troopssurrendered to Indian forces.
• The US, supporting Pakistan, sent the nuclear-powered warship Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal to aid West Pakistan.
• The Soviet Union, supporting India, sent its warship to counter the US.
• The Soviet Union used its veto in the UN Security Council to support India and condemn US resolutions against India.

Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1971

A Shift Towards the Soviet Union in Non-Alignment (1970s)

• During the Nehru era, India’s non-alignment policy began to show a pro-Soviet inclination.
• By the 1970s, the non-alignment movement globally became more sympathetic towards the Soviet Union.
• Cuba, a member of the non-aligned movement, even proposed at the 1979 NAM Summit that the Soviet Union was a ‘natural ally’ of non-aligned nations.

Indo-Soviet Relations and the 1971 Treaty

• Before the 1971 Bangladesh war, India and the Soviet Union signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
• The treaty stipulated “immediate mutual consultations” if either country faced a military threat.
• It also reflected the Soviet Union’s acceptance of India’s non-alignment policy.

Criticism and Context

• The treaty faced criticism from the United States, which saw it as a departure from India’s non-alignment stance.
• However, it was India’s response to the shifting global dynamics:
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  • Since 1962, Pakistan and China had allied against India, following the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
  • The US was already allied with Pakistan through military agreements.
  • President Richard Nixon was also working to establish relations with China to counterbalance the Soviet Union’s power.

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 this 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 avoid 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.
• These POWs were released in 1973 after India obtained the consent of Bangladesh.
• India received assurances of good behavior from Pakistan, which were not upheld in practice.
• The opposition, particularly the Jan Sangh (predecessor of 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 1978 that the agreement was possible due to a "secret and midnight" understanding between Gandhi and Bhutto.

Nuclear Test of 1974

Mrs. Gandhi and India's Nuclear Journey

• Mrs. Gandhi's Role: She is remembered for her determination to establish India as a major power. While Nehru had an idealistic vision, Gandhi was more realistic in her approach.
• Nehru's Vision: In 1954, Nehru envisioned India as the fourth major power in the world, after the US, Soviet Union, and China, provided there were no major disruptions like wars.
• Nuclear Test in 1974: Mrs. Gandhi took a significant step by conducting a nuclear test in Pokharan in May 1974, translating Nehru's idealism into action.
• Pressure for Nuclear Tests: After China conducted its nuclear tests in 1964, there was growing pressure in India to develop its nuclear capabilities. However, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri did not act on this demand immediately.
• Swaran Singh's Statement: Shastri's External Affairs Minister, Swaran Singh, indicated in 1966 that India could achieve nuclear capability in a short time, suggesting that the groundwork was being laid.
• Shastri's Authorization: As Prime Minister, Shastri had authorized the Atomic Energy Commission in 1964 to work on nuclear bomb design, indicating a shift towards developing nuclear capabilities.
• Purpose of the 1974 Test: The test conducted by Indira Gandhi was intended to showcase India's nuclear capability, although it was officially described as a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE).
• Context of the Test: During the Bangladesh War in 1971, the US had used its nuclear capabilities to pressure India. This experience influenced Gandhi's decision to strengthen India's self-reliance in security matters.
• US-India Relations: Henry Kissinger, President Nixon’s National Security Adviser, had warned Indian leaders not to rely on the US for support against China in a potential conflict with Pakistan. This was contrary to the Nixon Doctrine, which aimed to protect non-nuclear nations threatened by nuclear powers.
• Gandhi's Vision: Through the nuclear test, Gandhi aimed to make India self-reliant in security and assert its position as a formidable power on the global stage.

Indira Gandhi’s Second Tenure

Mrs. Gandhi's Brief Absence from Power and the Rise of Non-Congress Governments (1977-1980)

• In 1977, Mrs. Gandhi lost power as the first non-Congress government, led by Morarji Desai as Prime Minister, took over.
• Charan Singh succeeded Desai for a short term in 1979, but Mrs. Gandhi returned to power in January 1980.

Janata Party Governments and Foreign Policy

• The two non-Congress governments under the Janata Party did not significantly impact India's foreign policy evolution.
• Despite promises to correct the pro-Soviet tilt in Indian non-alignment, there were no major changes.

Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan (1979)

• During the December 1979 elections, the Soviet Union intervened militarily in Afghanistan, a non-aligned country.
• Then Prime Minister Charan Singh condemned the Soviet presence and called for troop withdrawal to preserve Afghanistan's non-aligned status.

India at the United Nations

• On January 12, 1980, at the UN, India, represented by Brajesh Mishra, opposed foreign troops in any state, including Afghanistan.
• Mishra stated that the Soviet Union had assured India it would withdraw troops at the Afghan government's request, reflecting India's close ties with the Soviet Union.

Impact on Non-Alignment Policy

• Mishra's statement aligned with the Soviet position, causing tension in India's non-alignment policy even after the Soviet Union's collapse.
• This reflected more of Mrs. Gandhi's approach than the Janata Party's stance.

U.S.-Soviet Cold War and India's Position

• The Soviet intervention brought the U.S.-Soviet Cold War to India's borders.
• The U.S. sought India's cooperation to expel Soviet forces from Afghanistan, aiming to reverse its Vietnam experience by forcing the Soviets out.

U.S. Support for Pakistan

• When India did not cooperate with the U.S. against the Soviets, the U.S. turned to Pakistan for support.
• Pakistan agreed to facilitate the transfer of weapons to Afghan guerrillas (Mujahideen) with a military and economic aid package of $7.4 billion.
• This 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 and the Sri Lankan Crisis

• Inherited Crisis: Rajiv Gandhi inherited an ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka, which escalated significantly in 1983. His predecessor, Indira Gandhi, had dealt with a similar crisis as a neutral mediator between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who were demanding a separate Tamil state in northeastern Sri Lanka.
• Humanitarian Efforts: Rajiv Gandhi initially aimed to provide humanitarian aid to the Tamils in Jaffna, who were suffering due to an economic blockade imposed by the Sri Lankan government. He attempted to send food supplies by boat, but the Sri Lankan authorities did not allow the aid to reach the needy. In June 1987, the Indian Air Force dropped supplies to emphasize India's commitment to helping the Tamils.
• India-Sri Lanka Accord: Facing internal threats from the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in the south, Sri Lankan President Jayawardane requested Indian assistance to maintain peace in the north. In July 1987, India and Sri Lanka signed an accord under which Indian troops would be deployed to maintain peace in the north and east of Sri Lanka and to oversee the disarmament of the LTTE. The agreement also called for the merger of Tamil-dominant areas, provincial elections, and devolution of powers.
• Implementation Issues: The implementation of the accord was fraught with distrust. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was viewed by the Tamils as the “Innocent People Killing Force.” This led to demands for the withdrawal of the IPKF from both the Tamils and the new Sri Lankan president, Premadasa.
• Withdrawal and Consequences: Rajiv Gandhi’s successor, V. P. Singh, eventually withdrew the IPKF. This withdrawal was seen as a loss of face for India, which had suffered over 1,000 soldier casualties during the mission. The strained relations among all parties involved led to the LTTE plotting revenge, culminating in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. The same forces were also responsible for the assassination of President Premadasa.

Narasimha Rao (1991-1996)

Introduction

• Narasimha Rao successfully led a minority government as Prime Minister, continuing with foreign policy for a full five-year term.
• He became the first Congress Party Prime Minister outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to achieve this.

Economic Transition Challenges

• Rao's government faced the significant challenge of transitioning from a mixed economy to a more globalized economy.
• This shift was not a planned move towards liberalization,privatization, and globalization(LPG).
• Upon taking office,India had a severe balance of payments crisis, with foreign exchange reserves of only Rs 2000 to Rs 2400 crores, sufficient for just seven days of imports.

India–US Relations

An economically weak government is vulnerable to foreign pressure, a situation that the United States, as the only superpower, took maximum advantage of.

• Economic Opening: The US pressured Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to open up the Indian market to American companies in sectors like computers, IT, and telecommunications.
• Nuclear Program Pressure: India faced American pressure to roll back and cap its nuclear program. This included a demand to abandon planned nuclear testing for 1995.
• Nuclear Option: India wanted to retain its nuclear option post-Cold War, but this became increasingly difficult. India co-sponsored the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Fissile Material Control Treaty (FMCT) with the US.
• Failed Nuclear Tests: In 1995, India attempted to conduct nuclear tests in Pokhran under Rao's leadership but was detected by the US, forcing India to shelve the program.

Foreign Policy Developments and the NDA Government

Atal Behari Vajpayee became the PM in 1998 leading a coalition government consisting of 13 political parties. But the government could not last beyond ten months. In the elections held in October 1999, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was elected again to power. This is the first ever coalition government to hold on to power for nearly four years.

Nuclear Weapons

1998 Nuclear Tests and Foreign Policy

• In 1998, under the BJP government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India focused on developing nuclear weapons capability and improving relations with Pakistan.
• The BJP had long支持ed India pursuing nuclear weapons. Once in power, the government planned nuclear tests to officially declare India a nuclear weapons state.
• On May 11, 1998, India conducted three nuclear tests, followed by two more on May 13. Vajpayee announced that India was now a nuclear weapons state and stated that no further tests would be needed, as all necessary data had been collected.
• He also mentioned that India would maintain only a minimum nuclear deterrent.
• Previous attempts to test nuclear weapons were made in 1982 during Indira Gandhi’s time and in 1995 under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. However, these plans were detected by US intelligence.
• The successful and undetected nuclear tests in 1998 were seen as a significant achievement for the BJP government.

Attempts to Improve Relations

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

• Initially, there was no need for such confirmation. After opposing Pakistan's creation, the Hindu Mahasabha became inactive, and the Bharatiya Janata Party, as the leading party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), never spoke of reversing the partition.
• After the Lahore meeting, the Pakistani Prime Minister suggested that the year would be crucial for deciding the Kashmir issue. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh stated that after fifty years of independence, "the time for map-making in the region is over," emphasizing that there would be no changes in the region's geography.
• In May 1999, the Kargil War broke out between India and Pakistan. While the two Prime Ministers were discussing their bilateral relations, the Pakistani Army was preparing for this conflict. The war was significant as it was the first military engagement between the two nations after they had acquired nuclear weapons in May 1998. Pakistan aimed to change the status quo along the Line of Control, hoping to use this change as leverage in future negotiations with India.
• However, in October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, the Chief of Staff of the Pakistani Army, deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup, putting all efforts to normalize relations with Pakistan on hold. India responded to the military takeover in its traditional manner by boycotting the SAARC meeting and ensuring Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations.
• In early 2001, India made another peace attempt by inviting Musharraf for talks in Agra, but these discussions collapsed as Musharraf insisted on discussing Kashmir as the core issue.
• The Pakistani military has historically dominated the country's institutions, and cross-border terrorism, which has plagued India-Pakistan relations since 1989, worsened under military rule. Indo-Pak relations deteriorated further when, on December 13, 2001, Pakistani terrorists attempted to attack the Indian Parliament to eliminate top Indian leaders. Fortunately, Indian security forces killed all five attackers in a gun battle just outside Parliament.
• In response, India withdrew its High Commissioner from Islamabad and severed air, rail, and bus links with Pakistan. Consequently, India moved closer to the United States, raising questions about the relevance of Indian non-alignment. Meanwhile, Pakistan aligned itself with the US by promising full cooperation in the fight against the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
• Non-alignment originated in a bipolar world where two superpowers competed for global dominance. With the end of one pole, the need for military alliances and competition for allegiance diminished. Non-alignment also allowed countries to maintain independence in decision-making, unlike nations aligned with a bloc.
• During the Cold War, India leaned towards the Soviet Union, but with Russia now closer to the US, India too could strengthen ties with the US. In the past, India’s alignment was seen as the Soviet Union leaning towards India, and now, if the US can assist in promoting Indian national interests, closer cooperation is justified.
• India, while cooperating with major powers like the EU and Russia, also aims for a multipolar world. India adopted the "Look East" policy to strengthen ties with ASEAN countries and improved relations with the EU, Japan, and Australia. By 2003, Sino-Indian relations had also begun to improve significantly.

Summary

Indian Foreign Policy: Evolution and Continuity

• Indian foreign policy has seen significant changes since independence 56 years ago, influenced by various factors.
• International Environment: The end of the Cold War and the rise of the US as the sole superpower reshaped global dynamics.
• Domestic Changes: The shift from a single-party government to a coalition government in the 21st century impacted policy-making.
• Leadership Influence: Different Prime Ministers have brought their unique perspectives, further altering the policy landscape.
• Despite these changes, Indian foreign policy remains rooted in the principle of non-alignment. This principle, originating in a bipolar world, now signifies India's commitment to independent policy-making.
• Multipolarity: India aims to foster a multipolar world, where it can assert itself as an independent player alongside other global powers.