Table of content

​ 1. What is Indian Foreign Policy?

​ 2. Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy
​ 3. Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
​ 4. Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
​ 5. Phases of Indian Foreign Policy
​ 6. Features of Indian Foreign Policy
​ 7. Current Challenges to India’s Foreign Policy

What is Indian Foreign Policy?

Like many other nations, Indian foreign policy is a comprehensive set or group of
political aspirations defining how the country will network and deal with other
nations worldwide. Implementing foreign policy includes expanding political,
social, cultural, trade, and defence relations with other countries and participating
in multi-tangential discussions encompassing many countries. While executing the
Indian foreign policy, the country aspired to preserve a few specific objectives,
including world peace, independence for Asian and African countries, and
decommissioning because they played a vital role in India’s Independence.

The opportunities and associates in the International System have put Indian
foreign policy in check. Moreover, in the past few decades, India has taken up an
additional affluent foreign policy that comprises the SAARC-embodied,
neighbourhood-first approach and the Look East strategy to develop a more
widespread economic and tactical cooperation with other East-Asian nations.

India respected the sovereignty of all the other countries to attain security by
upholding harmony and reconciliation in its conduct of foreign associations.
India’s national and international dynamics, such as scarcity of resources and
financial dependency on other economically powerful countries, have significantly
affected Indian foreign policy.

India's foreign policy is guided by the principles of non-alignment, peaceful

coexistence, and mutual respect for sovereignty. India places a high priority on its
relations with its neighbouring countries, with the "Neighbourhood First" policy
aimed at strengthening ties with South Asian countries. The "Act East" policy is
focused on expanding economic, strategic, and cultural ties with Southeast Asia
and the Pacific. India seeks to engage with multiple countries and groups on the
global stage through the principle of multi-alignment, without aligning with any
particular bloc or power.

India's economic interests are closely linked to its foreign policy, with initiatives
such as economic diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and
investment partnerships. India is actively engaged in addressing global issues such
as climate change, terrorism, cyber security, and nuclear disarmament.

India's foreign policy aims to promote regional and global stability while
advancing its national interests. India seeks to promote a rules-based international
order that is based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual
benefit. Overall, India's foreign policy reflects its strategic location, historical ties,
economic interests, and security concerns, as well as its aspiration to be a global
leader and a responsible member of the international community.

HISTORY
India's relations with the world have evolved since the British Raj (1857–1947)
when the British Empire took responsibility for handling external and defence
relations. The country's oldest political party, the Indian National Congress, had
established a small foreign department in 1925 to make overseas contacts and to
publicise its independence struggle. From the late 1920s on, Jawaharlal Nehru,
who had a long-standing interest in world affairs among independence leaders,
formulated the Congress's stance on international issues. As Prime Minister and
Minister of External Affairs from 1947, Nehru articulated India's approach to the
world.

India's second prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964–66), expanded the Prime
Minister's Office (sometimes called the Prime Minister's Secretariat) and enlarged
its powers. The prime minister's control and reliance on personal advisers in the
Office of the Prime Minister was particularly strong under the tenures of Indira
Gandhi (1966–77 and 1980–84) and her son, Rajiv (1984–89), who succeeded her,
and weaker during the periods of coalition governments.

Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy

There are multiple determinants of Indian Foreign Policy, such as geographical
factors, economic development, population, global environment, etc., which can be
classified under domestic and international factors.
Domestic Factors: In the domestic factors, determinants of Indian Foreign Policy,
such as population, geographical attributes, economic development, etc., are
considered. Countries with strong human and material resources are usually
powerful and influence the international community. It has a key influence on
Foreign policy.
Similarly, the role of geographical factors must also be considered. The major
geographical factors affecting Indian foreign policy are its location, climate,
topography, and fertility. Additionally, a country’s social and economic
development also impacts its foreign policy.
International Environment: The changes in the International global environment
impact Indian foreign policy. For example, the disintegration of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) made major changes in the foreign policy of
many countries. Apart from this, some global issues by the world organizations
like the issue of nuclear proliferation, energy crisis, and elimination of international
terrorism, etc.
Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
Maintaining international harmony and security, opposing colonialism, propagating
the peaceful and radical resolution of international disagreements, fostering pacific
co-existence, remaining non-associated and non-obligated, and maintaining the
unity and harmony of the Third World are some of the objectives of Indian foreign
policy.
It includes eliminating colonialism & cultural discrimination and protecting the
interests of Indian-origin people in foreign countries. The primary objectives of
Indian Foreign Policy are:
To Preserve India’s national integrity and impartiality of foreign policies:
● This objective is to maintain the nation’s territorial integrity and protect
national borders from foreign hostility or violence. This Indian foreign
policy objective also includes achieving Afro-Asian harmony and
encouraging non-interference principles in any other nation’s domestic or
national affairs. The adoption of a non-alignment policy is also a part of this
objective.

● It is also observed that in recent years, foreign policy has adopted a

methodology of combining economic and political international relations.
 The reason behind this approach is to maintain the nation’s growth curve.
And for this, India must network with its foreign associates to bring Foreign
Direct Investments, economic aid, and transmission of technology for its
several national schemes and programs such as Skill India, Clean India,
Smart Cities, Digital India, etc.

● Moreover, India comprises the most extensive diaspora globally;

approximately 20 million people of Indian Origin live in foreign countries
and are reached all over the states. Therefore, engaging them and deriving
maximum benefits from their existence in foreign countries also becomes
the primary objective of Indian Foreign Policy, along with protecting their
security to the possible extent.

To protect international peace and security:

● India has comprehended the relationship between international peace and

national development as a recently independent and emerging nation.
● Its emphasis on demilitarisation and the strategy of retaining military treaties
also reflects its intentions to encourage global peace.

To attain India’s economic development:

● The steadfast development of the nation and the reinforcement of democracy

and freedom in the country was the elementary requirements during the
independence period.
● India stood back from the power federation political beliefs, outlining
characteristics of Cold War worldwide politics. India did this to acquire
financial and technological resources from both blockades and to cluster its
energy on the nation’s development.
Principles of Indian Foreign Policy

The basic principles of Indian foreign policy have withstood the torment of time
and are deeply rooted in transnational laws and India’s practice in foreign policy.

● Gujral Doctrine: Indian foreign policy reached a new milestone with Gujral
Doctrine. It was started in 1996 during the Deve Gowda Government by
Inder Kumar Gujral, Minister of External Affairs. It is a group of five
principles guiding India’s foreign relations with bordering neighbours.
● Connect Central Asia Policy: This policy was formed to counter china’s
domination in central Asia and tap the natural resources of the central Asia
region. It covers critical issues like political cooperation, regional
connectivity, strategic cooperation, economic cooperation, etc.
● Look East Policy: Indian Government launched the Look East Policy under
the leadership of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. This policy aimed to
develop security, political, and economic cooperation with nations in
Southeastern Asia.

Indian foreign policy has five core principles which are explained below

Non-Alignment Policy:

● It is one of the essential principles and features of Indian foreign policy. It

defines the core factor of India maintaining impartiality in foreign affairs by
not connecting to military alliances that the United States of America and
the Soviet Union have made.
● Moreover, these alliances came out as a foremost standpoint of Cold War
politics post-Second World War, and India wanted to avoid this.
● The non-alignment principle in Indian foreign policy was a constructive and
dynamic thought instead of impartiality, non-intervention, or separateness.
● It states making a self-determining standpoint on international matters as per
the distinctions of each case; however, at the same time, it is not devoted to
getting influenced by any military alliance.
● Additionally, the principle of Non-Alignment secured great recognition in
many other developing nations. In this way, not joining any military and
superpower alliances became essential for many countries to maintain the
autonomy of Foreign Policy.
 ● Moreover, in 1947, under the guidance and direction of Jawaharlal Nehru,
India managed to organize the Asian Relations Conference to shape the
vision of Asian solidarity.

Anti-Colonialism, Racism, and Imperialism:

● India strongly believed in maintaining equality for humankind. Also, the

foreign policy of India was shaped during the independence struggle against
colonial rule and the ills of colonialism and discrimination.
● India remained a victim of colonialism and imperialism for an extended
period, so it contemplates these as a danger to global peace and security.
● This principle of Indian foreign policy opposes all racial discrimination and
imperialism. In addition to opposing racism and colonialism, India was the
first-ever nation to raise the issue of Apartheid in the United Nations in
1946. India also raised its voice and organized an Asian Relations
Conference for the independence of Indonesia.
● Fourteen African countries were released from the encumbrance of
colonization in 1964 only because of persistent endeavours through
Non-Alignment Mission.
● India sharply disparate the wicked apartheid policy exercised in South
Africa. In 1949, India detached all its political associations with South
Africa and used its influence to apply a comprehensive agreement against
the white subgroup racialist Government of South Africa.

Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes:

● India’s persistent belief in peacefully settling international clashes is one of

the essential elements in Indian foreign policy. The Indian constitution and
the Charter of the UN also comprise this principle.
● Furthermore, India has played a primary role in resolving the Korean
conflicts and encouraged conferred settlement of the Palestine issue,
borderline issues with neighboring nations, and other such struggles and
issues.
● India has always been against foreign military interference in solving global
problems, and this principle is the foundation of Indian foreign policy.
● Currently, India has favoured the resolution of Iranian nuclear issues’
democratic upsurge problem in the middle east and many more with the
strategy of a peaceful settlement.
Foreign Economic Aid:

● As a sovereign nation, India also had a profound respect for the international
laws and ideologies of self-governing equality of countries and non-intrusion
in other countries’ domestic affairs promoted by the United Nations in the
Indian Foreign Policy.
● India played a fundamental role in preserving global peace by adding to the
decolonization sovereign and active involvement in United Nations’
pacification activities.
● India has also sustained the cause of demilitarisation practised by the United
Nations. India suggested a very determined program of nuclear
demilitarization even before the UN in 1988.
● Even though the UN members haven’t accepted this suggestion, India’s
opinions are still committed to the Origin of universal demilitarisation.

Furthermore, India has suggested and backed the reorganization of the Security
Council and UN societies to formulate the configuration of the Security Council as
more genuine and independent. Therefore, India is among the applicants for
perpetual members of the Security Council.

Panchsheel Principles of Indian Foreign Policy

Panchsheel is a co-relation of five ideologies for international relations, including

Non-violence, Non-interference, Peaceful co-existence, Equivalence & mutual
benefits, and Mutual respect’s regional integrity and dominion.

● Policymakers in India understood the connection between the country’s

development, peace, and endurance of humanity. They knew that
socio-economic development would be pushed to the backdrop in the
absence of global peace.
● They understood the importance of resilient world peace for a nation.
Jawahar Lal Nehru, the initiator of Indian foreign policy, prioritized global
peace while designing foreign policy.
● Panchsheel is referred to as the 5 Ethics of Peaceful Co-existence. It was
employed in 1954 and has become a supervisory principle of India’s mutual
relations with other nations.
Phases of Indian Foreign Policy

First Phase: Non-Alignment (1947-1962)

This phase was characterised by India’s policy of non-alignment during the Cold
War, where it maintained equal distance from the US and the Soviet Union. India
positioned itself as a leader of the non-aligned movement, seeking to promote
peace and stability globally. This was an important factor in Indian Foreign policy.

Second Phase: Decade of Realism and Recovery (1962-71)

This phase saw India adopt a more pragmatic and assertive foreign policy, seeking
to enhance its global influence and protect its national interests. India engaged in
efforts to expand its influence, deepen its partnerships, and address regional and
global challenges, which were reflected in the Indian Foreign Policy.

Third Phase: Greater Indian Regional Assertion (1971-91)

India liberated East Pakistan and assisted in the creation of a new state called
Bangladesh. This was achieved with the remarkable use of military power. Further,
India performed its first Nuclear explosion test in Pokhran. These events and the
collapse of the USSR affected India’s foreign policy.

Fourth Phase: Safeguarding Strategic Autonomy (1991-98)

With the rise of a unipolar world dominated by the United States, India shifted its
approach to international affairs. Naturally, this brought changes to Indian foreign
policy as the country aimed to attain greater strategic independence.

Fifth Phase: India, a Balancing Power (1998-2013)

During this phase, India tried to become a balancing power, which showed in the
India-US nuclear deal. India also made a common cause with China on trade and
climate change and helped consolidate ties with Russia.
Sixth Phase: Energetic Engagement (2013-Till now)

In this phase, the biggest change in the Indian Foreign policy is that the older
policy of Non-Alignment is turning into Multi-alignment. India has sought to
deepen its strategic partnerships, expand its regional engagement, and promote its
domestic development goals through its foreign policy.

Features of Indian Foreign Policy

There are three basic features of Indian foreign policy, comprising a few of its
fundamental principles.

● Panchsheel: It is one of the basic features of Indian foreign policy that

defines five concepts, including mutual non-aggression, non-interference,
and peaceful co-existence of international relationships. Also, it defines
Equivalence & mutual benefits, and Mutual respect’s regional integrity and
dominion. Typically, these elements of panchsheel aim for mutual and
peaceful diplomatic relations between nations.
● Non-Aligned: It is the essential feature of Indian foreign policy that aims to
keep federal interference in foreign affairs by not opting to join military
alliances created by the USA and the Soviet Union. Instead, it proposes
making an independent standpoint on foreign matters based on the evidence
of the circumstances.
● Strengthening of UN: India has deemed the UN the most dependable source
for achieving global peace and diplomatic revolution. Along with this, India
has anticipated the UN to dynamically retain nations in discussions or
conferences to aid them in settling their issues.

Current Challenges to India’s Foreign Policy

Due to the growing chaos in the world, India has been facing various challenges
regarding its foreign policy. The biggest challenge lies in balancing the moral
values of the country with the national interest. So, let’s look at the most important
challenges to Indian Foreign Policy.
● Russia Ukraine Issue: Cases like these make it difficult to choose between
morals and politics. Russia is a trade partner for India and going against it,
India can jeopardise its relationship with the country. Hence, Indian Foreign
policy faces a challenge from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
● Internal Challenges: India is going through an economic crisis with growing
unemployment and disputes. And being a young nation, it is highly critical
that we become stronger internally before becoming a strong external force.
● Border Disputes: India continues to face territorial disputes with its
neighbours, particularly China and Pakistan, which challenge the foreign
policy of India.
● Terrorism: The threat of terrorism from across the border, especially from
Pakistan, continues to challenge India’s security and foreign policy
objectives.
● Climate Change: Climate change is a major challenge to the foreign policy
of India as it requires international cooperation to address the issue
effectively.