Every sovereign state has its own foreign policy. India has one as well. Foreign policy is the collection of principles, interests, and goals that a country promotes in its interactions with other countries. Even though there are some fundamental characteristics of foreign policy, it is not a fixed concept. The thrust of foreign policy shifts in response to changing international conditions. Several factors influence India's foreign policy, including its history, culture, geography, and economy. Jawaharlal Nehru, our Prime Minister, defined the country's foreign policy.

What is a Foreign Policy?

• A country's foreign policy is the set of principles, interests, and goals that it promotes in its interactions with other countries.
• The objectives and activities of a state's foreign policy or external policy (as opposed to its internal or domestic policy) in relation to its interactions with other states, unions, and other political entities, whether bilaterally or through multilateral platforms.
• It states that "domestic considerations, the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs" can all influence a government's foreign policy.

Indian Foreign Policy: Main Objectives

• To safeguard India against both traditional and non-traditional threats.
• To create an external environment that is conducive to India's inclusive development, so that the country's growth benefits can reach the poorest of the poor.
• To ensure that India's voice is heard in international forums and that India has the ability to influence world opinion on global issues like terrorism, climate change, disarmament, and reforms of global governance institutions.
• To reach out to and protect the Indian diaspora.

Indian Foreign Policy: Features

Panchsheel

• Nehru was a firm believer in international peace. He recognised the link between India's peace and the world's development and survival.
• He had witnessed the devastation caused by the two world wars and realised that a long period of peace was required for a nation's progress.
• While signing an agreement with China on April 28, 1954, India advocated adherence to five guiding principles known as Panchsheel for the conduct of bilateral relations, as it desired peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, particularly the great powers and neighbouring nations.
• It contains the following:
  • Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • Mutual non-aggression.
  • Mutual non-interference.
  • Equality and mutual benefit.
  • Peaceful coexistence.

Non Aligned

• The most essential element of India's foreign policy has been non-alignment.
• Non-alignment intended to maintain national independence in foreign affairs by refusing to join any military alliance formed by the United States and the Soviet Union after WWII.
• Non-alignment has nothing to do with neutrality, non-involvement, or isolationism.
• It was a fluid idea that meant not committing to any military alliance and instead of taking an independent stance on foreign affairs based on the facts of the situation.

Anti Imperialism, Anti Racism and Anti Colonialism

• India has always been a staunch opponent of colonialism and racism.
• Whenever there was an injustice, India spoke up, for example, in 1947, in support of Indonesian identity in the face of Dutch colonialism.
• India showed its opposition to South Africa's unlawful occupation of Namibia and the infamous apartheid policy in South Africa.
• India was a strong supporter of communist China's admission to the United Nations.

Strengthening of UN

• India has long considered the United Nations as a vehicle for world peace and peaceful transformation.
• Apart from that, India has always expected the UN to actively engage countries in talks or negotiations to help them resolve their problems.
• India has also urged for the UN to play a more active role in the development of Third World countries.
• In the United Nations, India has pleaded for a united front of third-world countries.

Indian Diaspora

• The Indian diaspora is gaining clout in foreign nations, allowing them to gain access to powerful political figures in the host country.

Effective Multilateralism

• It recognises the reality of many nations' emergence and understands that the global agenda should be shaped by the voices of many, not the ideas of a few.
• This also works against any power's hegemony. India began to cultivate connections with those countries that were receiving less attention, primarily owing to policy gridlock, based on this approach.
• India is part of the QUAD with the USA, Australia, and Japan and also being part of institutions like Russia, India and China (RIC) and BRICS. It also has good relations to meet its energy demand and connect to the INSTC through central Asia.

India opposes the export of ideologies and regime change.

• India believes in democracy and supports it; nonetheless, it opposes the export of ideologies. As a result, India has attempted to deal with the current administration, whether it is a democracy, monarchy, or military dictatorship.
• India believes that the people of the country should have the power to choose or remove their leaders, as well as to keep or change the type of government.

Unilateral Sanctions/Military Actions Are Not Endorsed By India

• India opposes the imposition of sanctions or military action against a single country or a group of countries unless these sanctions or military activities have been approved by the United Nations as a result of an international agreement.
• As a result, India only participates in peacekeeping military operations that are part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces.
• India has sent about 195,000 personnel to UN operations, the most of any country, and has participated in over 49 missions, with 168 Indian peacekeepers making the ultimate sacrifice while serving in UN missions. India has also provided and continues to provide renowned UN Force Commanders.

India doesn’t interfere but intervenes when necessary

• India does not believe in interfering in other countries' domestic issues.
• However, if an act - innocent or malicious - by any country has the possibility of impinging upon India’s national interests, India does not hesitate in prompt and timely involvement.
• Keep in mind that intervention differs from interference in terms of quality, especially when the intervention is conducted at the request of the country in question.
• Examples include Bangladesh in 1971, the IPKF in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990, and the Maldives1988.

India and its Neighbourhood Relations

• India is a country where people believe in cooperation and have a positive relationship with its neighbour. India has long been regarded as a "peace-loving country."
• Most countries have formal political relations with India. India is widely regarded as the world's second most populous and democratic nation. Its economy is the world's fastest growing.
• With the world's eighth largest military expenditure, third largest armed force, seventh largest nominal rate economy, and third largest purchasing power parity economy.
• India is a regional power, a developing global power, and a potential superpower.
• India is gaining international clout and has a strong voice in global business.
• India is a developing industrialised country. It has a long history of collaboration with other countries, is a member of the BRICS, and is an important part of the developing world. India was a founding member of several international organisations, including the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, the G-20 major economies, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
• India has also played a significant and influential role in other international organisations such as the East Asia Summit, the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the G8+5, and the IBSA Dialogue Forum. India is a member of SAARC and BIMSTEC on a regional level.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is the Indian government's agency in charge of India's foreign relations.
• As a member of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of External Affairs has cabinet rank.
• When taking a historical approach, India's international influence fluctuated over the years following independence.
• In the 1950s, India's prestige and moral authority were high, allowing it to obtain development assistance from both the East and the West. Despite the prestige conferred by India's nonaligned stance, the country was unable to prevent Cold War politics from interfering with interstate relations in South Asia.
• During the 1960s and 1970s, India's international standing among developed and developing countries deteriorated as a result of wars with China and Pakistan, disputes with other South Asian countries, and India's attempt to balance
• Pakistan's support from the US and China by signing the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in August 1971.
• India established relations with the United States, other developed countries, and China in the late 1980s, while maintaining close ties with the Soviet Union.
• In the mid-1990s, India drew the attention of the world to the terrorism supported by Pakistan in Kashmir.
• India won a major diplomatic victory as a result of the Kargil War.
• The United States and the European Union acknowledged that the Pakistani military had infiltrated into Indian territory illegally and pressed Pakistan to withdraw from Kargil.
• The United States and the European Union designated several anti-India militant groups based in Pakistan as terrorist organisations.
• Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Indian intelligence agencies provided the United States with critical information on Al-Qaeda and related groups' activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• India's significant contribution to the War on Terror, combined with an increase in its economy, has aided India's diplomatic relations with a number of countries.

Improved Relations with Countries

India shares borders with Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, the Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The Central Government is currently emphasising the importance of prioritising ties with its immediate neighbours. This prioritisation is being carried out through two main policies: the 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies.

• Neighbourhood First Policy

  • The government's policy aims to improve interactions with its neighbours and the Indian Ocean island states. It achieves a variety of objectives through a comprehensive approach to regional foreign policy.
  • Connectivity is a key component of this policy, with India signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to collaborate on trade, infrastructure, commercial linkages, and transit facilities.
  • These treaties ensure the free flow of resources, energy, goods, labour, and information across international borders.
  • Another critical component of this approach is India's resource support to its neighbours in the form of financial aid, equipment, human resource training, and diplomatic alliances.
    • For example, in the aftermath of the 2016 earthquake, India provided over 1,700 tonnes of relief material and medical assistance to its neighbour Nepal.
  • Regional institutions are an important mechanism for India to emerge as a South Asian regional leader. In support of this, India has participated in and invested in SAARC as a vehicle for regional development.
  • However, it has also begun to form issue-specific groups in order to make faster and more effective progress without being stymied by a lack of consensus.
  • One such example is the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) energy development grouping, which includes motor vehicles, waterpower management, and inter-grid connectivity.

• Act East Policy

  • In 1992, the government of PM Narasimha Rao implemented the 'Look East' policy.
  • Because of changes in geopolitical and economic circumstances, the current government has renamed it 'Act East' to reflect its proactive role in increasing India's integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asian countries.
  • To that end, the Prime Minister attends the annual ASEAN Summits and engages in high-level discussions with member countries. India's recent participation in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) demonstrates its dedication to this policy. It has three primary goals: connectivity, culture, and commerce.
  • The least-developed countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) have been a special focus area for India under the Act East Policy.
    • Through such strategic partnerships, India can create new global value chains, which is critical in light of manufacturing campaigns like 'Make in India.'
    • In support of this, a Project Development Fund of INR 500 crores has been established to facilitate India's manufacturing presence in these countries.
    • The policy also prioritises the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing regional integration, security, and defence. One recent policy goal is to improve border infrastructure to allow for greater overland connectivity to Southeast Asia.

Indian Foreign Policy: Issues

• Conventional Security

  • Pakistan has long been regarded as India's primary conventional threat, as evidenced by the military standoff in late 2001 and early 2002.
  • At the same time, India was defeated by China in a war in 1962. China is also India's closest military rival, as evidenced by India's declaration that its 1998 nuclear tests were in response to the China threat.
  • The Indian military is eradicating the prevalent internal militancy (in the northeast, in the east, and in Jammu and Kashmir.) Notably, no known Indian al-Qaeda or Taliban members have been identified (excepting the 2006 Heathrow plot). India also has a volatile neighbour, with ongoing wars, insurgencies, and unrest in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as a coup in Bangladesh.

• Economic Growth

  • For decades, India maintained what economists referred to as a "Hindu" rate of GDP growth of 1.5 to 3%. Following the 1991 economic reforms, growth tripled and has remained stable at 8-9.5% since 2006.
    • However, if India is to continue lifting up 60% of its population in the rural sector and building infrastructure, it must significantly increase its foreign financing.
  • From the "Look East" policy of the early 1990s to today's increased engagement with ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and the new SAFTA agreement, India's growth has been supported by exchange with its neighbours.
    • At the same time that it pursues regional agreements, India engages bilaterally (with free trade agreements with Singapore and a possible bilateral investment treaty with the United States) and globally, taking the lead in the WTO Doha negotiations.
  • China's growth has aided India's, which has averaged annual growth rates of more than 10% since 2000. However, as India enters China's traditional manufacturing stronghold and China focuses on the services market, the two countries will compete more intensely.

• Energy Security

  • India currently imports 70% of its oil and 50% of its gas; by 2025, it is expected to import 80% of its energy needs.
  • While India believes that it should be allowed to increase its energy consumption and emissions until its per capita levels match those of Western countries, polls show that the Indian public is increasingly recognising the importance of paying more attention to environmental concerns.
  • India is increasingly exploring nuclear power as an alternative energy source (assuming the July 2005 civil nuclear agreement between the United States and India is completed); it is also one of the leading R&D venues for solar and wind power. However, only 6% of potential non-conventional energy resources have been exploited to date.
  • India will continue to focus on the Middle East, particularly Iran, in order to ensure access to energy resources (including the Iran-Pakistan-India oil pipeline).
  • Simultaneously, India is broadening its search for energy resources into Africa and Latin America (though India typically loses bids to China).

• Nuclear Capability and Nonproliferation

  • India's nuclear policy is shaped by its volatile relations with Pakistan and China, as well as the region's recent escalation of nuclear proliferation. Its goal is to create a "credible minimum deterrence" by combining land, air, and sea-based capabilities.
  • Since 2002, the India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue has significantly reduced tensions and resulted in several agreements to reduce the possibility of a nuclear attack by mistake.
  • If the United States-India civil nuclear agreement is completed (see India-Iran Relations briefing memo), India will be able to take a more active role in directly promoting nonproliferation, a goal that has long been touted as critical to India's national interest.

• Strategic Stature and Leadership

  • By purchasing power parity, India's economy ranks fourth in the world. India's soft power remains strong, and its military, economic, and diplomatic clout is expanding.
  • India is a democratic multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. While already a developing-world leader, India now seeks to gain access to the developed world.
  • Given the insecurity in South Asia, there are numerous opportunities for India to focus on assisting in the resolution of conflicts in neighbouring Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
  • In doing so, India frequently encounters China's similar desire for regional leadership and seniority (for example, China's desire to exclude India from the newly formed East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2005).
  • In addition to bilateral relationships, India participates in regional and ad hoc groups, such as the 2004 Asian Tsunami Core Response Group, and works to improve its standing in global organisations (such as its bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and interest in the G8).

India’s Foreign Affairs Strategy

• India finds itself in a more dangerous world, one that is fragmenting and slowing economically. It is a changing world, one in which India's adversaries — whether state or non-state, or both, as in Pakistan's case — are becoming more powerful.
• If the external world is becoming more unpredictable and uncertain, so are most powers' internal politics and security. Traditional institutions and state structures are ill-equipped to deal with, mitigate, or solve these problems.
• The task of India's foreign policy is to protect and secure the country's integrity, citizens, values, and assets, as well as to enable India's development and transformation into a modern nation in which every Indian can realise his or her full potential. The task of foreign policy professionals is to facilitate India's transformation and to create an environment conducive to that transformation.
• India risks missing the bus to becoming a developed country if it continues with business and politics as usual, or tries to imitate China's experience over the last four decades, fails to adapt, and fails to better manage its internal social and political churn. By any tradition or book — whether Kautilya, Sun Tzu, or Machiavelli — avoiding war and achieving one's goals is the highest form of strategy. And, if India's record in the seventy years since independence is examined, it has done well in moving towards its main goal of transforming India.
• What should ultimately guide India is its quest to become a great power with a difference, namely, in a way that allows it to realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of 'wiping the tears from the eye of every Indian.' This is consistent with India's core values and national interests. That is the proper goal for a great country like India.

Conclusion

Foreign policy can only go so far and diplomacy can be that effective, to the extent of a country’s political, social and economic health. For the last three decades, India has been fortunate to experience rapid growth and prosperity. This has given India more clout in foreign policy and allowed far more resources to be allocated for diplomacy, including consolidating and strengthening our diplomatic presence around the world. Under the current regime, India has clearly demonstrated its desire to play a leading role in the global arena and be regarded as a "pole" in its own right. Continued domestic stability and prosperity, as well as political agreement on broad foreign policy parameters, will help India achieve this goal.

Question: What is the principle of non-alignment in Indian foreign policy?

Question: What are the Panchsheel principles?

Question: How does India maintain strategic autonomy in its foreign policy?

Question: What is India’s stance on multilateralism?

Question: How has economic diplomacy become a key feature of Indian foreign policy?

MCQs

1. What was the cornerstone of India’s foreign policy during the Cold War?

A. Alliance with the USA

B. Alliance with the USSR

C. Non-alignment

D. Isolationism

2. Which of the following is NOT a part of the Panchsheel principles?

A. Mutual respect for sovereignty

B. Non-interference in internal affairs

C. Strategic alliance with one global power

D. Peaceful coexistence

3. How does India exercise strategic autonomy in foreign policy?

A. By aligning with only one superpower

B. By making independent decisions based on national interests

C. By isolating itself from global affairs

D. By following the policy of isolationism

4. Which global organization is India advocating for reform to reflect contemporary realities?

A. World Trade Organization (WTO)

B. United Nations (UN)

C. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

D. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

5. How has economic diplomacy played a role in India’s foreign policy?

A. By focusing on military alliances

B. By promoting trade, investment, and development partnerships

C. By isolating itself from global economic affairs

D. By refusing to engage with international organizations

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of non-alignment in shaping Indian foreign policy during the Cold War era.

Answer: The principle of non-alignment was central to India’s foreign policy during the Cold War. Spearheaded by Jawaharlal Nehru, it allowed India to maintain autonomy by not aligning with any major power bloc, such as the USA or USSR, while promoting peace and cooperation. Non-alignment reflected India’s commitment to sovereignty and independence in global affairs, providing the country with flexibility in international relations. It also helped India play a leading role in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which became a platform for newly independent countries to assert their voice in the international system without becoming pawns in Cold War geopolitics.

Q2: Explain the importance of Panchsheel principles in India’s bilateral relations with other nations.

Answer: The Panchsheel principles, formulated during a 1954 agreement between India and China, have been an essential guide to India’s foreign policy. These principles—mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence—emphasized the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other nations. They have served as the foundation for India’s bilateral relations with many countries, fostering cooperation, reducing conflicts, and ensuring that diplomatic relations are based on equality and mutual respect. The Panchsheel principles remain relevant as India continues to advocate for peaceful coexistence and non-interference in international relations.

Q3: Evaluate the role of economic diplomacy in India’s foreign policy in the 21st century.

Answer: Economic diplomacy has become a crucial feature of India’s foreign policy, especially in the context of globalization and India’s economic growth. India has increasingly focused on trade agreements, investments, and fostering economic partnerships to fuel its national development. Through organizations like BRICS, G20, and initiatives such as International Solar Alliance (ISA), India has sought to promote sustainable development and energy cooperation. Economic diplomacy has also played a vital role in strengthening India’s ties with regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, expanding India’s global influence and integrating it more deeply into the world economy. This approach helps India address key challenges such as energy security, trade access, and technological partnerships.

Previous Year Questions on Indian Foreign Policy and International Relations

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: India’s foreign policy of non-alignment meant:

A. Isolation from all international affairs

B. Maintaining equidistance from both USA and USSR during the Cold War

C. Only aligning with other developing nations

D. Prioritizing military alliances over economic partnerships

Answer: B

Explanation: India’s policy of non-alignment meant maintaining equidistance from both superpowers, the USA and USSR, during the Cold War, while engaging in international relations based on mutual benefit and peaceful cooperation.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 2)

Question: "India’s foreign policy has evolved significantly post-independence, balancing its commitment to non-alignment with the changing dynamics of global power." Discuss with examples.

Answer :

• Mention the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during the Cold War.
• Highlight India’s post-Cold War engagement with the USA, Russia, and China.
• Discuss the growing focus on economic diplomacy, multilateralism, and strategic autonomy.