You must have heard in the news about Russia-Ukraine war, then Americans leaving the Afghanistan to the Taliban. Then India's neutrality in these and emergence as a supporter of the world inn the crisis by supplying vaccine and wheat. The biggest promoter of Indian foreign policy recently has been Imran Khan who continuously in his rallies has spoken about Indian foreign policy. So, what changes have come in Indian foreign policy so far especially in the Modi era?
Foreign policy of any country is guided by its geography and politics which determines that where the country should put its military and diplomatic capital to further it's national interests. India's foreign policy has been governed and shaped by it's history, geography, economy and polity. There has been changes in the style and the energy with which we put up our national interest. By and large, since independence it has been about about the citizens interest.
It's a very famous quote in diplomacy that , there is nothing like permanent friends or enemies, there are only permanent interests. That is why only, the Americans favor the Israel, no matter what because Israel's boundary is with Syria and Russia has good presence in Syria. So to counter it they need Israel. Also Israel comes in handy to the USA when it comes to Iran.
Coming back to India, what changes is the assertiveness of our interests and as the status of great power or the emerging power which every country around the world refers India with.
We have raised India's presence globally by more engagements and soft power projections and have also been moving towards more pragmatism from Ideological posturing. As our stand during the Russia- Ukraine war, then importing cheap crude oil from Russia amid the incoming pressures from America and the Europe.
Then standing up to China, invoking Buddhism as a tool for diplomacy such as Prime Minister holds meetings with Mongolia, South Korea, Japan and other Buddhist nations to encircle China. So, we have become more vocal and firm with our words and actions.
Major comparison can be drawn if we compare the Gujral doctrine and the Modi's neighborhood policy. Both the policies have given significant priority to the neighborhood and work toward sharing the fruits of Indian development with neighbors and ensuring security on borders and people to people ties.
The Gujral doctrine talks of non reciprocal way of extending benefits with our neighbors that is to act as Big Brother and crisis manager for the neighboring nations. While Modi's policy is more transactional and we expect more from our neighbors than we usually have done in earlier cases that is in past. Such as expecting Bangladesh and Nepal to stand up against China, although both have immensely tried to stay neutral as they know they can't side up as well as can't make India unhappy.
What's going on in India's neighborhood?
India have stayed quiet for the coup in Myanmar last year and only recently our Foreign secretary went there for discussion where he talked about rights of citizens and the democracy.
Sri Lanka is swollen to debt crisis and there is political turmoil and chances of full economic collapse, we have helped them but Sri Lanka should also be made known about how they are leasing away the country to the Chinese, For Example the Hambantota port.
Imran Khan faced a No-confidence motion and lost his Prime Minister ship ( Of -course we know it is the west, who is behind it).
Then there is 'India out' campaign in Maldives by opposition targeting the President Solih for giving away ports and military bases to India.
Bhutan is continuously harassed by china for their piece of land unnecessarily.
In Nepal there has been change in government and KP Sharma Oli lost his Prime Minister ship as well. So it has been a mix of ups and down when it comes to India's neighbors. But every time India has stood with them in the past. Such as 1971 Bangladesh liberation war, then 1987 Sri Lanka LTTE war, because of which we lost Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
Let's see how our neighbors cope up with these challenges. Hope we have a good plan in place too.
This was a try to give a general idea from a layman's perspective.
Do you know Indian constitution has different section from constitution of America, Britain, Canada South Africa etc. Check the Sources to the constitution of India.
stay tune for more.
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