International Politics

INTRODUCTION:
Foreign policy is a comprehensive framework that guides a
country's interactions with other nations and international
organizations. It is shaped by a combination of historical,
cultural, economic, and strategic factors, and it plays a crucial
role in shaping a nation's identity and role in the international
community.
Foreign policy is primarily driven by a country's national
interests, which include economic prosperity, national security,
territorial integrity, and the promotion of values such as
democracy and human rights. These interests guide
policymakers in formulating strategies to advance the country's
goals on the global stage.
Geopolitics, including factors like geographical location, access
to resources, and regional power dynamics, significantly
influence foreign policy decisions. Countries often form
alliances and partnerships based on shared geopolitical
interests to enhance their strategic position and influence in
key regions.
Diplomacy is a central component of foreign policy, involving
negotiations, treaties, and dialogue with other countries to
resolve disputes, strengthen partnerships, and advance
common objectives. Diplomatic efforts are conducted through
diplomatic missions, embassies, and international forums such
as the United Nations.
Economic considerations play a crucial role in foreign policy.
Countries engage in trade agreements, investment
partnerships, and economic aid programs to promote economic
growth, access new markets, and enhance global
competitiveness. Economic diplomacy is often used as a tool to
strengthen political relationships and foster cooperation.
National security is a fundamental priority in foreign policy.
Countries develop defense strategies, military alliances, and
security partnerships to deter aggression, counter threats, and
maintain stability in their regions. Security cooperation also
extends to addressing transnational challenges such as
terrorism, cyber threats, and organized crime.
In summary, foreign policy is a dynamic and multifaceted
framework that reflects a country's strategic priorities, values,
and aspirations in the global arena. It requires careful analysis,
strategic planning, and diplomatic agility to navigate complex
international challenges and opportunities.
MAJOR POWERS-
USA1: The formation of US–Indian relations took place mainly
under the influence of external factors and in relatively difficult
circumstances. Back in the late 1930s, before India gained
independence, the subject of the suffering of the Indian people
under British rule was a concern in American intellectual circles,
primarily due to historically widespread anti-British sentiment
among them. Back in 1941, US President F.D. Roosevelt raised
the question of the need for decolonization, which met
Washington’s strategic interests in strengthening its economic
position in new markets, before the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, W. Churchill.
For ordinary Americans, however, a direct acquaintance with
Indian realities occurred during the Second World War, in which
India became the base for operations of the American air and
ground forces that acted against Japan in the Chinese and
Burmese theatres of military operations.
Indian elites, who were in awe of their newly gained
independence, were initially wary of communist expansion in
southern Asia, trying to balance between the United Kingdom
and the United States. Subsequently, the government of J.

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Nehru increasingly shifted towards neutrality, seeing India as
the leader of a bloc of Asian and African post-colonial states.
The United States has moved India into the category of states
with the most simplified export control regime for security-
sensitive goods, services, and technologies (it includes 37
countries).
This regime applies to 26 of the 30 NATO countries (except for
the United States itself, Albania, Montenegro, and North
Macedonia), five of the 18 main allies outside NATO and six
countries that do not formally have allied relations with the
United States (Austria, Finland, India, Ireland, Sweden, and
Switzerland).

Russia2: India and USSR established formal diplomatic

relations in April 1947, four months before India’s
independence. The year 1955 was key for India-USSR relations,
with then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Moscow in
June 1955 and Nikita Khrushchev conducting a reciprocal visit
in November 1955. These two visits would set the pace of the
relations for the next three decades. India-USSR relations could
broadly be described as having stood on five pillars.
First was strategic alignment. While India and the USSR did not
share a similar ideology or outlook towards global politics, they
had common concerns.
The Soviet Union would emerge as a critical partner for India,
using its veto power multiple times at the UN Security Council
on issues related to Goa, Kashmir, and Bangladesh. India

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reciprocated by abstaining in the vote against USSR during the
Hungary crisis in 1956, and Czechoslovakia in 1968.
The Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1971
was the culmination of the intensifying partnership. Second was
the economic relationship. Soviet Union was the largest foreign
contributor to India’s development till 1991. Starting with the
Bhilai steel plant, the Soviet Union helped India establish some
of its biggest industries including ONGC and BHEL.
The third pillar was defence cooperation. Defence constituted a
critical part of the Indo USSR relationship with the bulk of
India’s arms purchases coming from the Soviet Union.
the Soviet Union was amenable to Indian requests for licensed
production, beginning with the MiG-21 agreement in 1962
followed by MiG 27 ground attack fighters in 1983 and T-72
tanks in 1980.
The fourth pillar was cooperation in science and technology,
underpinned by the Science and Technology Agreement of
1972. The Integrated Long-Term Programme of Cooperation
(ILTP), the largest bilateral S&T program that India had entered
with any country at the time, was implemented in 1987.

Japan3: The evolution of Japan’s post-war relations with most

Asian countries was largely governed by two factors the
legacies of the Second World War and the compulsions of the
Cold War. The impact of these factors was particularly severe in
its dealings with Southeast Asian countries and the prolonged
negotiations for just and adequate reparations during the

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1950s and 1960s reflected the intensity of their antipathy
towards Japan.

Cold War considerations further complicated the normalization

of their relations. While the Southeast Asian region posed
formidable diplomatic challenges to Japan, South Asia provided
a soothing contrast. South Asian countries could view the entry
of Japan to the comity of nations with considerable sympathy,
since they had not experienced the severity of Japan’s military
rule during the Second World War. Even during the Allied
Occupation of Japan (1945-52), when India was very much
involved in the formulation of policies for Japan as a member of
the Far Eastern Commission (FEC), New Delhi argued that an
unduly long military occupation would defeat the Allied goals of
promoting democratic and liberal elements in Japan. During
1950-51, when the US, compelled by the considerations of the
Cold War, decided to draw up a speedy peace settlement with
Japan, India expressed its views very cogently. While India was
in favour of an early restoration of sovereignty to Japan, it did
not want the issue to be clouded by the exigencies of the Cold
War.

The re-emergence of Japan as a free country, according to

India, was an event of great significance for the whole of Asia
and it should not be dictated by any extraneous factors. India
declined to participate in the San Francisco Peace Conference
held in September 1951 on the ground that the US- drafted
peace treaty failed to take due recognition of the wishes of the
Japanese people. Instead, India chose to enter into a bilateral
peace treaty with Japan in 1952 and it was one of the first
countries in Asia to open diplomatic ties with Tokyo.

Over the next six decades, the two countries developed a

strong and stable partnership based on mutual respect and
understanding. To be sure, during the Cold War period,
ideological differences between the two countries created
many serious obstacles to the nurturing of warm relations, but
since 2000 the interactions have entered a new phase with the
two countries coming together to build a global partnership.
Until recently, their interests were primarily limited to economic
matters like development assistance and trade, but today they
are more diversified and cover a wide range of subjects, the
salient ones being nuclear disarmament, maritime security,
energy cooperation, climate change, counter terrorism, UN
reforms and regional community building. The signing of the
Declaration on Security Cooperation by India and Japan in
October 2008 was a high watermark in the process initiated in
2000. Very few in either of the countries would have expected
such a significant development to materialize so rapidly
because, until just ten years ago, India hardly ever figured in
any Japanese discourse on the emerging Asian security
landscape. But today, it is difficult to think of such security
discussions in Japan without reference to India. There is a
fundamental shift in the Japanese assessment of India’s role in
the shaping of a new Asian security architecture. New security
and economic convergences have created unprecedented
opportunities for further strengthening of ties.
IMPORTANT NEIGHBOURS-
Pakistan: India’s partition was one of the greatest human
misery with large scale migrations across the region
accompanied with communal riots and massacres. It uprooted
and killed millions of people. State of Pakistan was created from
India.
The dispute started after the Maharaja Jai Singh of Kashmir
made a plea to India to aid him against Pakistani insurgents.
After India’s intervention, Kashmir was seceded to India. This
led to the First Indo-Pakistani War, that was fought between the
India and the Pakistan.
A ceasefire agreement was finalized and a line of control (LOC)
was created leaving India with around two-thirds of Kashmir,
while Pakistan succeeded in obtaining control over a third of
Kashmir region. India and Pakistan have fought three big wars,
in 1947-48, next in 1965, again in 1971 also known as the
Bangladesh liberation war. Again, a low intensity war was
fought in Kargil in 1999.
Initiatives have been taken through diplomatic initiatives as
well as Track II diplomacy to normalize relations, but Pakistan's
harbouring of terrorist outfits and support to insurgents in
Kashmir has disrupted the peace process.
Many pan-Islamic terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taibah
(LeT), continued to be active in Jammu & Kashmir, are
headquartered in Pakistan and Pakistan Administered Jammu &
Kashmir.
Major areas of concern are:
Cross Border terrorism by Pakistan in Kashmir
Sharing of river water
Siachen issue
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s historic bus journey
to Lahore in 1999, (newly opened Delhi–Lahore Bus service) to
meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Lahore Declaration, was
signed that was the first major agreement after the 1972
Shimla Agreement. Commitment to the Shimla Agreement was
reiterated. Both sides agreed to initiate Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) for better bilateral relations. Indian PM
Narendra Modi held talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif in 2014 in New Delhi to improve bilateral relations.
Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and withdrawing of
Kashmir’s special constitutional status is another area of
concern for Pakistan. In the years since, India has implemented
its desired political and administrative changes in Kashmir,
while consistently denying Pakistan any room to re-direct
international focus on the issue. Pakistan’s continuous
propaganda against India on Kashmir issue at various UN
platforms is another area of concern for India. Pakistan’s
overtures to include a third party in the resolution of Indus
Water treaty over India’s construction of dams in Kishanganga
and Ratle Hydro Electric projects, has been criticised by India.
Bangladesh4: India was the first country to recognize
Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and
established diplomatic relations with the country immediately
after its independence in December 1971 as a friendly South
Asian neighbour. Bangladesh occupies a key place in India‟s
Neighbourhood First policy. India's links with Bangladesh are
civilizational, cultural, social and economic. However, there still
remain major issues such as river water disputes (Teesta River
water sharing), aiding illegal immigrants, and drug trades
remain between India and Bangladesh, that must be addressed.
India has provided duty free quota free access to Bangladesh
on all tariff lines except tobacco and alcohol under South Asian
Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011.

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6 Border Haats (4 in Meghalaya and 2 in Tripura), have been
approved by the Indian and Bangladesh governments.
Sharing of River Waters: India and Bangladesh share 54
common rivers. The Ganga Waters Treaty signed in 1996 for
sharing of waters of river Ganga during lean season (January 1-
May 31).
Agartala-Akhaura Rail-Link will be the first rail route between
Northeast India and Bangladesh.
Energy sector cooperation between India and Bangladesh has
also seen considerable progress in the last few years.
The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project, signed in
2018, will connect Siliguri in West Bengal in India and
Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh have also signed the Framework of
Understanding (FOU) on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon
Sector.
Sharing of Teesta River Water Dispute: Teesta river flows from
India to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh. Almost half a
dozen districts in West Bengal are dependent on this river. It is
also a major source of irrigation to the paddy growing greater
Rangpur region of Bangladesh but Bangladesh complains that it
does not get enough water. Meanwhile, no treaty has been
signed yet to resolve the Teesta water-sharing dispute between
the two nations.
China5: According to the majority of political experts,
the global political architecture is changing as power
gradually shifts from the West to the East. China and
India, the two most populous countries, are losing their
hesitation to express their worldwide profiles and are on their
path to becoming economic powerhouses. The relationship
between China and India, the two regional powerhouses, will be
crucial to the direction of this Asian century. Despite favorable

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changes in the recent few years, the trajectory of the India-
China relationship is still very convoluted and challenging to
understand.
The political elite in India frequently claims that Indian foreign
policy has a clear continuity. Here are some important aspects
of India’s Foreign Policy toward China:
 There is obvious consistency in India’s official position
about its China policy. All political parties in India agree
that bilateral relations with China should be strengthened
and that dialogue should be used to resolve disputes
between the two countries.
 There are three main schools of thought in
India regarding how to approach China, and they have
been labeled as pragmatists, hyperrealists, and
appeasers.
 The pragmatists see China as a competitor and a
long-term threat, but they contend that this competition
can be managed by establishing economic ties with China
and establishing a great power to counterbalance it.
 The hyperrealists see China to be a clear and present
danger and want India to contain China by increasing
its military power and engaging in gin gallia around
China’s periphery.
 China has continued to outperform India in terms
of economic and military strength, even
though India’s GDP ranks fourth in the world in terms
of purchasing power parity and its military is the third
largest in the world.
  China has demonstrated a readiness to employ force
relatively frequently in the pursuit of its national goals, in
sharp contrast to India, while always maintaining that it is
defensive. Even their offensive military operations are
frequently justified by Chinese officials as simply
defensive and last-resort tactics.
 India’s as of yet underdeveloped power
capabilities play a significant role in why Indian foreign
policy hasn’t succeeded in achieving its goals about China.
Indian foreign policy continues to be embroiled in confusion
as a result of several obstacles that have prevented the
establishment of a long-term China strategy in India. In the
case of India’s China policy, one is not even sure if the Indian
political and foreign policy establishment comprehends the
fundamental dynamics that form and configure world
politics, leaving aside the question of the competence of the
Indian elites to think strategically on national security.

Sri Lanka6: Since Independence, India, and Sri Lanka have

established bilateral relations on a variety of levels, and
significant advancements in the execution of development aid
programs for internally displaced people (IDPs) and
underprivileged groups of the Sri Lankan population have
helped to strengthen the two nations’ relationship.

o In May 2009, the almost three-decade-long military

confrontation between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE
came to an end.

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 o Throughout the conflict, India backed the Sri Lankan
government’s right to take action against terrorist
elements.
o At the same time, India conveyed its deep concern at the
highest level about the plight of the mostly Tamil civilian
population, emphasizing that their rights and well-being
should not be jeopardized in the fight against the LTTE.
o India has emphasized the importance of national
reconciliation through a political resolution of the ethnic
question at the highest levels.
o The Indian government has consistently supported a
diplomatic political settlement that respects human rights,
is acceptable to all parties within the framework of an
undivided Sri Lanka, and is achievable via negotiation.

Following the resolution of the armed conflict, a significant

humanitarian challenge arose, involving approximately 300,000
Tamil civilians residing in camps designated for Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Indian government implemented
a substantial assistance program to facilitate the rapid return of
IDPs to normal life. Additionally, there was consistent advocacy
for the prompt resettlement of IDPs to their original habitats.

India has historically been one of Sri Lanka’s biggest trading

partners, and in the SAARC, Sri Lanka continues to be one of
India’s main trading partners.

In 2020, India was Sri Lanka’s second-largest trading partner,

with a bilateral goods trade of around $3.6 billion.

Sri Lankan exports to India have expanded significantly since

the implementation of ISFTA in 2000, with more than 60% of
total Sri Lankan exports to India using ISFTA benefits in recent
years.
However, in recent years, only around 5% of India’s total
exports to Sri Lanka have utilized ISFTA rules, demonstrating
their overall competitiveness in the Sri Lankan market.

Myanmar7: In 1951, India and Myanmar signed a Treaty of

Friendship. In 1987, ties between India and Myanmar became
stronger during the visit of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Many
agreements consisting of bilateral cooperation were signed
between the two countries. For facilitating regular dialogue on
several issues of bilateral interests, institutional mechanisms
were established.

 The relationship between India and Myanmar is rooted in

ethnic, historical, religious and cultural ties
 India is considered the country of Lord Buddha, and hence
it is a pilgrimage country for the people living in Myanmar
 These two countries’ geographical proximity has helped
sustain and develop cordial relations and facilitated
contact among people to people
 Myanmar and India share a long land border of more than
1,600 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal
 A sizeable Indian origin population (approximately 2.5
million) lives in Myanmar

Rohingya Issue

 Rohingya is an ethnic group from the Rakhine state of

Myanmar. The 1982 Citizenship Act of Myanmar doesn’t
recognize these people and describes them as ‘illegal
immigrants from Bangladesh’
 Rohingya are described as the refugees who have
migrated dangerously to Thailand, India, Bangladesh,
Laos, and other countries
 Based on a report by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), over
40,000 Rohingya refugees are living illegally in India.
These people have been spotted in the Union Territories of

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 Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi-NCT, and in states such as
Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu Telangana, and
West Bengal
 According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Arakan
Salvation Army, a banned terror group consisting of
Rohingyas, intends to target India, and they are assisted
by the notorious ISI of Pakistan in this regard
 Rohingyas have also been arrested for the terror attack on
the Mahabodhi temple in Gaya (Bihar)
CONCLUSION:
India is emerging as a major power of a future multipolar world.
India have become an important state in terms of Strong
military power, Stable economy, elite in technology, good
human resource and naturally having a strategic geographical
positioning in Asia. Hence, India will have to maintain the
diplomatic and strategic relations with all the major powers in
the world. The countries like USA, RUSSIA and China are major
power in multipolar world.
India's foreign policy has undergone a notable evolution
concerning major powers and important neighbors, marked by
strategic shifts and nuanced approaches. Historically rooted in
non-alignment during the Cold War, India's foreign policy has
transformed into a multi-alignment strategy, maintaining
relations with major powers like the United States, Russia, and
China while also focusing on regional dynamics with neighbors
such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

This evolution is characterized by a careful balancing act,

where India seeks to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
Economic diplomacy plays a crucial role, with India actively
engaging in trade agreements, investment partnerships, and
participation in global forums. Soft power and cultural
diplomacy initiatives further enhance India's global influence
and strengthen international relations.
Overall, India's foreign policy evolution reflects a pragmatic and
proactive approach aimed at safeguarding national interests,
promoting regional stability, and enhancing its position as a
responsible global player. By diversifying engagements,
leveraging economic and soft power, and navigating complex
regional dynamics, India continues to shape its foreign policy to
meet contemporary challenges and opportunities in
the global arena.