India’s Foreign Policy: Challenge of Global Rise but Regional Decline

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: International relations

Source: TH

Context: India’s global rise contrasts sharply with its regional decline, posing significant implications for its global ambitions. Despite burgeoning power on the world stage, India’s influence in South Asia has diminished due to relative power shifts, particularly vis-à-vis China.

India’s Global Rise:

Evidence | Explanation

Economic Growth | India has experienced robust economic growth over the past two decades, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.

Military Capabilities | India has significantly enhanced its military capabilities through modernization efforts, procurement of advanced weapons systems, and strengthening of defence infrastructure.

Geopolitical Significance | India’s inclusion in key global institutions like the G-20, invitation to G-7 meetings, and active participation in multilateral groups like the Quad, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation highlight its growing geopolitical significance.

Indo-Pacific Focus | Growing international attention on the Indo-Pacific region underscores India’s importance as a global player, given its central position geographically and strategically.

Peer Accommodation | Despite challenges, there is notable peer accommodation of India’s claims to be a globally significant power, e.g., India is seen as a leader of the Global South; Numerous countries endorse India’s claim for a permanent UN security council seat.

Global Strategic Stability | India’s role in the Indo-Pacific is considered pivotal to global strategic stability, with increasing recognition from major powers and regional stakeholders alike.

Soft Power | India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, young demography and soft power assets such as Bollywood, yoga, and cuisine contribute significantly to its global influence and attractiveness.

India’s regional decline:

• Diminished Influence in South Asia: India’s influence in South Asia has declined compared to previous decades, e.g., decreasing influence in Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc.

• Relative Power Shifts: The rise of China has resulted in a relative decline of India’s power in the region, as China’s expanding influence challenges India’s traditional dominance.

• Changes in Geopolitics: India has lost primacy in South Asia, evidenced by the increasing willingness of South Asian countries to engage with China and other external powers independently of India’s preferences.

• American Withdrawal: The withdrawal of the United States from the region has created a power vacuum that China has been quick to fill, disadvantaging India’s regional position.

• Balancing Strategies: South Asian countries are increasingly engaging in balancing, bargaining, hedging, and bandwagoning strategies vis-à-vis India, viewing China as a useful hedge against India’s dominance.

• China’s Rise: China’s rise in South Asia, coupled with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in the region, has altered the regional balance of power in China’s favour.

• Obsolescence of South Asia as a Geopolitical Construct: The growing obsolescence of South Asia as a geopolitical construct has further marginalized India’s role in the region, diminishing its hold and influence.

What is India’s Neighborhood First Policy?

It emphasizes peaceful relations and collaborative development with South Asian neighbours. It covers diverse areas like economics, technology, connectivity, defence, and environment. The policy complements India’s Look East and Look West Policies, focusing on Southeast Asia and the Middle East respectively. It was initiated by Narendra Modi and furthered by key figures like Sushma Swaraj and S. Jaishankar, with support from NSA Ajit Doval and successive Foreign Secretaries.

Various aspects of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy:

• Priority to neighbouring countries: Emphasis on strong ties with immediate neighbours.

• Mutual respect and understanding: Based on shared interests and Panchsheel principles.

• Connectivity and infrastructure: Focus on physical and digital connectivity for trade and integration.

• Economic cooperation: Deepening economic ties through trade facilitation and investment.

• Security cooperation: Joint efforts to address security challenges like terrorism

• Cultural exchanges: Promoting friendship and understanding through cultural diplomacy.

Way Forward:

• Geopolitical Adaptation: India needs to modernize its foreign policy approach to align with the changing geopolitical landscape.

• Recognizing Regional Shifts: Acknowledge significant changes in the region and its dynamics over the past fifteen years.

• Leveraging Strengths: Prioritize leveraging India’s strengths instead of direct competition with China, focusing on tailored approaches to regional engagement.

• Maritime Advantage: Capitalize on India’s maritime strengths in the Indo-Pacific to overcome continental limitations and boost trade and strategic alliances.

• Engaging Neighbors: Integrate smaller South Asian neighbours into Indo-Pacific dialogues and initiatives to enhance regional cooperation and coordination.

• Expanding Partnerships: Collaborate with allies to engage countries like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh in the Indo-Pacific strategy, pulling them away from China-led initiatives.

• Soft Power Utilization: Utilize India’s soft power assets to maintain influence, fostering informal contacts and conflict management processes.

• Informal Diplomacy: Encourage informal engagements with civil society actors to bridge diplomatic gaps and address sensitive regional issues.

• Diplomacy for Development: India should integrate economic diplomacy with political diplomacy to attract foreign investment, technology transfer, and support for key national development initiatives like Make in India and Smart Cities.

• Ethical Foreign Policy: India should aim to infuse ethical principles into its foreign policy, reclaiming moral leadership globally, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.

Foreign policy principles India is using:

• India First Policy: India prioritizes its national interests in its foreign policy decisions, asserting its independence and confidence on the global stage.

• Realistic Diplomacy: India engages with the world based on its identity and priorities, maintaining confidence in its civilizational ethos and domestic realities.

• Balance of Power Strategy: India strategically navigates its relationships, challenging initiatives like China’s Belt and Road while engaging with the US and the West to build domestic capacities.

• Economic Engagement: India deepens economic ties globally, seeking markets, raw materials, and recipients of foreign aid.

• Multi-Aligned Approach: India participates in various international forums, articulating and promoting its priorities directly.

• Non-Interference Principle: India avoids interfering in other countries’ internal affairs but intervenes if actions threaten its national interests.

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Principle: India embraces the concept of “The World is One Family,” promoting global harmony and growth through the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.”

• Proactive Democracy Promotion: India provides proactive assistance in capacity building and institution strengthening to promote democracy globally, with explicit consent from concerned governments (e.g., Afghanistan).

• Global Problem Solving: India advocates for global cooperation and consensus on issues of global significance such as world trade, climate change, terrorism, intellectual property rights, global governance, and health hazards.

Conclusion:

Failure to reconcile this paradox may hinder India’s aspirations for global leadership.

Insta Links:

• Impact of Gaza conflict on India’s foreign policy

Mains Links:

• “The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate. (UPSC 2019)

• Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (UPSC 2016)