India’s foreign policy: Realism and beyond
THE decade 1980s witnessed several ups and downs in regional and global politics which affected countries of the world in a big way, their bilateral and multilateral relations, policy options and preferences of national interest and many more which come in their way of development, promotion and protection of country’s welfare.
In the context, the assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 1984, was most important because she was the only leader of the time who revolutionized the Indian foreign country and ushered it into channels of political realism, away from the romantic vision, illusion and idealism, by extending the content and range of the assertive and realistic, in a nutshell, Indo-centric orientation in Indian foreign policy.
She build-up and promoted country’s technological defence capacities and gave a clear message to neighbours that although India has no assertive or hegemonic intentions, but it will respond promptly to any threat to its unity and territorial integrity.
This apart, the formation of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985 and disintegration of the Soviet Union, followed by the end of Cold War at the closing years of the decade along with the coming of globalisation, liberalisation and privatization necessitated an imminent change in nations’ foreign policy, its perceptions and practices as well.
Prevailing background: In mid-1980s and thereafter, apart from changing of premiership in India from Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi, her eldest son, a number of regional and global changes occurred which compelled not only India but nations of the world to reset its foreign policy as per the changed international milieu.
When in a significant global development, the disintegration of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), a super power after second World War, took place and it was divided in fifteen independent states a new challenge emerged before the countries of the world, including India, to re-orient their foreign policy.
In addition, by the time, various Economic centres have emerged at global level and they are asserting themselves internationally with dissimilar perceptions and goals.
At the same time, the coming of globalisation had helped emerged the market – based economy all over the world from Southeast Asia to Latin America and as a result tendency of regional co-operation and integration came to the fore, devaluing national markets as self- sufficient unit.
In India’s context there are four factors that guided the further course of action: a. search for a place in international order which is largely dominated by the United States; b. an accommodation with the global nuclear order; c. balancing act of tackling the challenge of global terrorism without alienating Islamic minority; and d. search for energy security to ensure its current rate of economic growth.
Visible changes: The regional and global changes that took place at the close of 1980s and early 1990s found its first expression in the decade nineties which in India began with the premiership of P. V. Narsimha Rao, the first from South India having purview outside the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Before his coming the phase of global Cold War has been ended with the cessation of USSR as super power, the US becoming the sole claimant.
In the changed global scenario promotion and protection of regionalism became the first priority of every nation and India alike, nations were also preparing to face the challenges of globalisation and set economic patterns for their country.
In the context the Government of Narsimha Rao was quick to respond and within two months of his assumption he took bold step and decided to liberalise the Indian economy.
As a result, Indian currency was devalued by 23% and most industries were delicensed, import tariffs lowered, import restrictions dismantled, and country’s economy was opened for foreign investment.
As a part of its policy of maintaining good relations with neighbours, I 1993, Narsimha Rao visited China and alleviated bitterness with Peking, signed Mahakali Treaty with Nepal and along with SAARC countries concluded Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka.
Following the new global developments, he initiated ‘Look East Policy’ and extended India’s relations in South East Asia.
The successive governments whether Congress- dominated or BJP- dominated continued the policy in national and international spheres.
Dealing with neighbours: Earlier, the role of Indira Gandhi in the formation of Bangladesh had created a fear among the neighbours that the goal of India’s foreign policy is to remain in unchallenging/ hegemonic position in South Asia and it was also pursued by the government of Rajiv Gandhi as he gave the impression to the neighbour that India was working like a ‘regional bully’ and they give the instance of sending the Indian Peace-keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.
Especially in the regimes of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi neighbours started to feel a big brotherly attitude and neighbours created a gang up threat for India.
However, from this point of view, the brief regime of Janata Party’s Government which began in March 1977 under the premiership of Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Minister of External Affairs for the first time found a duality in India’s foreign policy and to some extent removed the cobwebs of suspicion, misunderstanding and fear of interference.
It also claimed its policy to be a ‘Genuine Non-alignment’ because earlier governments were tilted towards the Soviet Union, although nothing substantial was done to correct the bias towards the USSR in India’s foreign policy.
The successive non-Congress governments headed by V. P. Singh, I. K. Gujral H. D. Devegowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee which took over in New Delhi, tried to remove big brotherly image of India and gave the neighbour equal treatment without any fear of interference and discrimination.
Even in between the periods Congress governments were also formed under the Premiership of P. V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh, but they took notice of this fact and laid emphasis on good relation with neighbouring countries.
— The writer is Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, B N Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India.
