Challenges and responses in India’s foreign policy in Brief

General Studies (Mains ) India and the World

CHALLENGE		INDIA’S RESPONSE ( major)	IMPLICATION	BENEFIT
1947-1970 – Internal Stability and Global Aspirations Internally, India required to accomplish integration of princely states, the tackle with the issue of linguistic reorganization of states, to overcome the scars of partition, to fight illiteracy, poverty, hunger, and lack of infrastructure
To Safeguard the hard earned freedom, both internally and externally		Initiation of Non Alignment Movement	Both USA and USSR started doubting India’s intentions	Assistance from both the power blocs became possible
economic reconstruction of the country		New Industrial Policies of 1948 and 1956	Tight-rope walk of balancing Capitalistic and Socialistic Model	Initial Industrial build up
cold war		policy of non-alignment	the strategy did not help much for military cooperation	Cooperation with both the camps on social and economic fronts.[1]
Hostility with china and Pakistan		policy of peaceful coexistence, which got its expression through Panchsheel theory	Image of being a soft state Exploits by china	Global image of a responsible nation, paving way for creation of SAARC and India’s dominant role in future
Military needs		Neglected to some extent Indigenous production with an aversion to imports	Debacle against China in 1962	India wakes up to the preparedness needs and could give a betting reply to Pakistan’s misendeavour in 1965 war
Food Crisis		Seeking Outside support	Public Law 480: diplomatic victory as we successfully imported grains from US without modifying good relations with the USSR or silencing criticism of the Vietnam War.	Green Revolution (1960s) and self sufficiency in food grains and thus independent in foreign policy, all while maintaining good economic ties with the US.
1971-1990 – Regional Rise
Bangaldesh Crisis	Mukti Bahini		War with Pakistan, Chakma problem, fomenting of Internal disturbance in India by Pakistan (Punjab and later Kashmir terrorism)	Status of regional power Shimla Agreement (1972) and Kashmir becoming bilateral issue (technically)
Energy Crisis	Pokhran –I (1974) nuclear tests		Sanctions from US , Canada and others, China support to Pakistan nuclear programme International Pressure for CTBT and NPT	Beginning of India’s joinery to Nuclear club India’s role for nuclear justice between Haves and Have-nots New French ties
SAARC	Acceptance of its formation		Big brother image hindering cordial relations	Emerged dominant due to constructive role
SriLankan Crisis (LTTE)	IPKF(1986)		Objections by Sri Lanka and internationalizing the issue Backlash by Indian Tamils Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (1990)	Learning a good lesson for future to not directly involve in international affairs of neighbours

1991-2008 – Opening Up - Regional to Global Power
Disintegration of USSR	Finding new friends in the post cold war environment		To come out of cold war branding as a Soviet stooge	Freedom to choose any or all nations as equal partners for India’s growth
Economic crisis, FDI, Infrastructure, Trade etc	LPG Look East with arc of prosperity		Dependence on world economy, implications of WTO	Investments , increase in GDP, March towards developed nation started etc
Energy Security	Pokhran –II Look West ( including central Asia) with arc of energy		Sanctions by US and Japan Renewed international pressure for signing CTBT and NPT Nuclear Tests by Pakistan and new arms race in the region Kargil intrusion	India’s emergence as a nuclear weapon state
Military needs	Thrust on Integrated Guided Missile, Tank, submarine, naval aircraft Development Program		Gave fresh impetus to arms race in the region	India’s recognition as a major military power paving way for INDO US Nuclear Deal
Sri Lankan Civil War against LTTE	No Direct Involvement		Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka and unrest among Indian Tamils Amendment 13[2]	A new beginning of Indo-Lankan relations on mutually beneficial terms and denying China a further inroads in Sri Lanka
Hostile neighbours	Gujral Doctrine		Less reciprocity from the neighbours	Possibility of SAFTA, strengthening of India’s global image
2009- Till Date Global Rise
China’s Containment	Iron Curtains[3] Joint military/naval exercises with US, Japan and others India’s stand on South China Sea		Encirclement of India	Closer relations with US, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and other ASEAN nations
Af- Pak Challenge	India’s aid diplomacy with Afghanistan		Danger of more terrorism spill over into India; besides destabilizing India’s extended neighbourhood	Identification of the region as safe heavens for global terror and international pressure on Pakistan to stem the same
Arab Spring	No Direct Involvement		Dangers of failing states being taken over by fundamentalists and spillover effect on India	Continuation of cordial relations with all Arab nations through Look West Policy and safeguarding of our energy needs
Energy security/ defence preparedness	INDO-US Nuclear Deal		Delay in final implementation of the deal	Waiver from NSG and thus recognition of India as a kind of de-jure nuclear power
Hostile neighbours	Positive engagement , Poverty as an issue		Unilateral concessions/aid to different countries	strengthening of India’s global image as a responsible country
UNSC Permanent Seat	Most rightful claimant, extending diplomatic ties to new countries, keeping a principled stand in foreign policy		Objections by China and Pakistan	Rising stature of India globally and it being recognized by most[4]
Economic needs	Strengthening trade ties with different countries through FTAs and CEPAs.		Balance of trade problems	Growing investment, scope for India’s service sector.

[1] Erstwhile USSR propped up the technological capabilities of India; while on the other hand, USA also had instances where it helped in the areas of food security and education.

[2]On 29 July 1987, Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene which stated the devolution powers to the provinces. Hence on 14 November 1987 the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Provincial Councils Act No 42 of 1987 to establish provincial councils.

[3]Backed by a burgeoning economy, New Delhi too aspires to be hailed as a true blue water navy, and they will always deter the Chinese aspirations in the IOR. To live up to this very notion, India too is answering boldly by juxtaposing its presence alongside that of China in the IOR — a strategy that has been termed as Iron Curtain.

[4] All P-5 heads of the state visited India in 2010 and recognized India’s legitimate claims for UNSC permanent seat.

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