“Research Paper Synopsis on”

“Recent Trends in Indian Foreign Policy”

“By”

“Anubhooti Sharma – DIV: ‘A’ PRN: 18010323024”

“Submitted to”

Assistant Professor, R. Radhakrishnan

“Faculty in charge of Indian Foreign Policy”
INTRODUCTION

Post Independence, India’s foreign policy was identified and characterized by the non-alignment
strategy amidst the creation of a bipolar order during the Cold War era. In the first two decades
of its independence, its foreign policy was framed idealistically along with its national interests.
But the Nehruvian idealism and the pledge of working for harmony and world peace was proved
wrong and put paid in the form of India-China war in 1962. Following the death of Nehru in
1964, Indian policies began to be framed along the lines of “hard realism”. 1 Economy and market
reforms were initiated in 1991 which marked India’s shift towards “economic pragmatism”.
India no longer agreed to confine itself to its idealism, morals and virtues of embracing
diversities, and began to identify itself as a nation like several others with a quest to acquire
greater power in International Politics. This emerging trend accelerated multifold under the
leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.2

During his first term as a Prime Minister, Modi devoted considerable time and energy in building
India’s foreign policy and making India get recognized as an international power. With every
international summit and meetings, Modi remarkably made a towering presence of India as a
global power under his leadership. Inviting leaders of South Asian Countries in his swearing in
ceremony was a positive start in this regard which indicated his intent to accord high priority to
South Asia. This was eventually reflected in his subsequent visits to countries such as Bhutan
and Nepal.3 However, the margin between promise of cooperation and performance has got
wider with Pakistan leading to several border clashes. Following the surgical strike, the
government’s approach towards Pakistan’s attempts of militant attacks and border skirmishes has
become more regressive.

After a good start towards bettering relations with China, the government failed to make
headway in managing to reconcile its competing interests. 4 The ongoing security establishments
at borders are a good proof of continuance of the silent enmity between the two South Asian
Giants. Meanwhile, Indo-US relations have strengthened immensely under the Modi-Trump

1
David M., Trends in Indian Foreign Policy, E & P Weekly, vol. 29. 2014.
2
Ibid
3
Srinath Raghavan, Modi’s foreign policy: Interrogating Coherence and Efficacy, E & P Weekly, vol. 50. 2015.
4
Dhruv Mann, Challenges from China: An analysis, E & P Weekly, Vol. 18. 2019
governance wining India a bright spot in US foreign policy, thus, balancing China’s threat
against India. After Joe Biden’s election win, India looks further to deepen Indo-US ties.5

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

With an aim to build its recognition as a global power, India is actively pacing towards building
its alliances from the west including the US and European Nations. Despite efforts made, India
however, has not been successful in neutralizing if not reconciling its competing interests with
two of its closest neighbours – Pakistan and China. Prior to Modi’s rule, India’s response
towards Pakistan was primarily defensive. However, this response has been replaced by an
offensive and aggressive approach. What is more bothering is the government’s inability to act
strategically instead of hanging on the extremes of defensiveness and aggressiveness.

Several members of Modi’s cabinet, including the former defence minister Rajnath Singh and
BJPs spokespersons have stated in multiple occasions that India will strongly respond to any
threats and provocations by Pakistan and China. The National Security Advisor has made a
statement on record regarding the government’s stance towards Pakistan. As he puts it bluntly,
“You can do one Mumbai and you may lose Balochistan”. India holds a belief that this transition
of approach towards Pakistan will not escalate into a nuclear conflict. However, this is just a
wishful thinking and a politically immature interpretation of how tensions escalate into crisis in
international politics.

This paper aims to highlight the progress India has made in recent years in international politics
with its modified foreign policy. It would seek to analyse India’s contribution to the world as a
global power and it’s strengthening relations with the west. The paper will also attempt to
understand India’s security level and preparedness to counter threat elements from Pakistan and
China. Alongside, the paper will also identify the loopholes in India foreign policy

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
5
Brahma Chellaney, Biden’s opportunity for alliance with India, World Politics Review at
https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29373/biden-has-a-historic-opportunity-to-deepen-us-india-relations
published on 25.01.2021
The method of research adopted for this work is the Doctrinal Method which involves an
analysis of textual information available in the form of books, journals, periodicals, etc. The
research involves a theoretical analysis of emerging trends in India’s foreign policy. A
c0mbinati0n 0f descriptive and analytical research design has been empl0yed to come out with
appropriate findings. Data and inf0rmati0n have been taken fr0m published and unpublished
research papers, b00ks, peri0dicals, j0urnals, internet websites and 0fficial s0urces.

HYPOTHESIS

1. India’s strategic partnership with United States is not the final solution to contain China’s
aggressive expansionist policy in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. India’s “Quad” stance is a calculated strategic move to contain China reflecting pluralism
as a key principle of Indian foreign policy.

LITERATURE REVIEW

In course of this research, the researcher has exposed herself to a variety of literature, essential
readings and information pertaining to the area of research. Numerous works have been done so
far and plenty of literature is available pertaining to the emergence of recent trends in India’s
foreign policy.

In an article titled, “Modi’s Foreign Policy: Interrogating Coherence and Efficacy” 6, the
author discusses about the extent of political investment PM Narendra Modi has made as a part
of his foreign policy initiatives. The article analyses how far India’s strategic initiatives has been
successful in producing tangible outcomes especially with regards to its relations with U.S.

In another article titled, “The Future of Indian Foreign Policy” 7, the author submits that India’s
endeavour to gain global influence and its initiatives of alliance with the United States has made
India to adopt aggressive capitalism as its economic policy neglecting its roots in socialism. This

6
Supra Note 3
7
Ilty Abraham, The future of Indian Foreign Policy, E & P Weekly, vol. 42. 2018.
extremist approach has made Indian Economy suffer massively in forms such as demonetization,
privatisation and application of GST.

In an article written by Political Analyst Jagannath P. Panda8, India’s stance on “Quad” has
been credited as a brilliant strategic approach against the expansionist strategy of China. The
author believes that China’s desire of becoming world’s new superpower can only be challenged
by great powers such as US, India, Japan and Australia coming together.

Similarly, in an article written by S.D. Muni9, the author suggests that along with military
preparedness, India must rethink of new strategic ways to limit its economic dependency on
China in forms of market investments. The article warns India about China’s new ambition of
growing as an economic giant in par with the United States.

Though ample literature has been written down concerning India’s recent trends in foreign
policy, not much has been discussed about the ways in which India can contain China. The paper
aims to fill this research gap by analyzing India’s various strategic alliances and steps made in
this direction. It would also suggest additional ways to create a geopolitical balance against
Beijing’s expansion in Asia.

CONCLUSION
8
Jagannath Panda, Quad: A Strategy to Contain China, IDSA, New Delhi, Vol. 3. 2018.
9
S. Muni, Modi’s Neighbourhood Initiatives, E & P Weekly, vol. 49, 2017, pp. 48-52.
China currently poses a lot of challenges for India. With the aggressive strategy, China’s power
will continue to rise which would further upset the geopolitical balance between India and China
in Asian subcontinent.10 The country is a continuous military threat for India, particularly when
focus paid on the ongoing border disputes.

India must find ways to secure its interests and eliminate the threats posed by China. One
obvious way to do this is to maintain close alliance with U.S. as it stands as the only global
power with more economic and military capabilities than China. The strategy of non-alignment
will not serve India’s purposes as China comes with enough hurdles to harm India’s security and
its global concerns.

However, deepening ties with US though a pragmatic choice, will not be enough for India to
entirely contain China. India should also build strategies of gathering indigenous military power
and look forward to regional partnerships with countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan.11 Strategic alliances such as Quad will be one of the best ways
to counter Beijing’s expansionist strategy.

10
Rajesh G., India’s Strategic Choices, Carnegie India, Vol. 73. Sep. 14, 2017
11
Ibid.