Indias Foreign Policy Trends

India has a high international profile in terms of new engagements, obligations with a growing personality. New
challenges brings critical demands on the international community of India which allows India to touch its
aspirations and interests. Indias Foreign Policy, knowing or unknowing was always a need during the
important decision making meeting for the country. What issues India should take on hand or not consider, on
situation.
The wars by India has developed the countrys Foreign Policy
India fighting three wars with Pakistan, conflicting claims to the state of Kashmir,
India with a war with China, 1962 was a great loss in the North over a long disputed border,
Could we even imagine two countries had created a bad situation for India?
Chinas nuclear tests
China export of weapons to Pakistan
India pledged itself to non-alignment on the international stage and it diluted its non-aligned stance in the 1970s
by developing a special relationship with the USSR which bestowed India with diplomatic support over issues
such as Kashmir.
India drifting towards Soviet Union has beautifully enhanced its relations with all the other major
centres of power the US, Western Europe, China and Japan.
India and the US are locked in an unprecedented engagement, at once intense and expansive.
Beijing is now Indias largest trading partner in goods after the prolonged chill in Indias bilateral
relations with China from the 1960s to the 1980s
India is building strategic partnerships with the EU and Japan,
India has also managed to hold on to its special relationship with post-Soviet Russia.
A natural fear in a country that had been colonized by a commercial enterprise: The East India
Company.
Foreign direct investment was not encouraged as in 1990 it amounted only to a few hundred million dollar. In
1970s the expulsion of IBM and Coca cola, was viewed as a progressive step encouraging economic self-
sufficiency. In 1993, China signaled a shift from its long standing tilt on Pakistani side on the Kashmir issue
which improved its relations with India.
Indias records in significant international and domestic environment changes over the past few decades have
challenged two basic foreign policy premises. They are:
The creation of a centrally directed economy has been emphasized, which would be designed to develop
the industrial and technological capabilities with minimum foreign investment and maximum self-
reliance.
The need and desire to maintain a nonaligned foreign policy that evolved into a close relationship of
convenience with the USSR.
A look at Past Reports
President Clintons five day visit to India and Indian Prime Minister Vajpayees reciprocal visit to U.S.
threw the light on a much improved bilateral relationship.
The hearing that the Vajpayee government gave to the deputy secretary of the U.S. state department,
Richard Armitage was the indicator of continuity in the improved relationship.
The official visits drew attention to a crucial reorientation of Indian Foreign policy. During these visits,
the Indian side stressed on Indian business and the economy and the importance of close relationships
with countries that would help it grow economically.
A new trend is emerging in Indian Foreign Policy with New Delhi
becoming major development partner for many countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia & Africa.
The foreign policies of India are always based on a set of core values, and not on usual turnover of governments
and leaders. For example: We carry the legacy of Indias National movement in the form of:
The commitment of India towards internationalism
Independence of judgement in the conduct of external relations
Support for world democratisation
Contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security
In the 21st century, Indias foreign policy will remain rooted in these core values, but Delhi must necessarily
adapt to changing external circumstances and its shifting domestic needs. Its main purpose, however, will
remain the same: the creation of a favourable external environment for the rapid improvement of the living
standards of the Indian people.
Before we conclude, we may say that it is the high time that India does look at few weak points in its foreign
policy, linked to its neighboring nations where slightly more assertive way of handling situations is required;
while it looks fine for other nations across the globe- especially seeing the bigger role that India has to play in
coming years at the global platform.