INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
(Q&A)

NAME: ADITYA KHANNA

DIVISION: B
PRN: 17010125135
BATCH: B.A LLB (2017-2022)
WORD COUNT: 2454

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 QUESTIONS

1. “Domestic Problems and Historic Legacies, apart from other

factors, constitute major strains on India’s Foreign Policy”. Discuss
this statement with suitable examples.

2.  The NAM has not lost any of its relevance. Rather it has stood the
test of time. Critically Comment in the context of Vice-President
Venkaiah Naidu’s visit to the 18th Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) summit at Baku in Azerbaijan.

3. What do you mean by the north South Divide? What attempts have
been made to bridge this divide? Were they successful or not?
Explain with examples.

4. Recently, Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, gave a lecture

on the topic “Beyond the Delhi Dogma: Indian Foreign Policy in a
Changing World”. Do you agree with his understanding of the
trajectory of India’s Foreign Policy? If Yes, Why and if Not, why
not.

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 ANSWERS

1. “Domestic Problems and Historic Legacies, apart from other factors,

constitute major strains on India’s Foreign Policy”. Discuss this statement
with suitable examples.

Ans 1. India’s Foreign Policy is one of the most important determinants in world
politics as of this date. It has been a long journey for India to reach where it has
established itself now. With it there have been domestic problems and historical
legacies that have impacted India’s foreign policy in the current global world politics.
The wide gap between development and actually getting the opportunity to be support
at the international level. The power still lies in the hands of the super five. This could
be because of the current domestic set up related to the global scene. The framework
is not staffed properly. For example, many officers are not able to deliver diplomatic
conversations in the most suitable way. The lack of decentralisation could be an issue
in the case of India. Second major problem is the new Indian electorate. The wave of
Hindutva quoted as nationalism has been widely appreciated in the country. The
government has wasted much of their attention in issues like Ayodhya dispute and
using Pakistan as a way of winning votes. There is uproar of ignorance within the
governance about the current economic state of the country. Lack of attention is given
to issues relevant to foreign policies. Lastly in the term of this government we have
seen many changes in the governance of this country. You could claim to call it the
transformation to pseudo dictatorship. For example, demonetisation, dissolving article
370 and now the CAA and NRC have caused a major disruption in the state of affairs
of the country. This has given sense of instability tag to India and therefore a lot of
state actors have been aware and warned before starting any diplomatic relations
keeping in mind the current state of the country.

The idealism of Gandhiji and panchsheel by Nehru showed that the country had
reluctance in improving its military and other aspects of forming healthy foreign
policies. This in turn led to the strengthening of another emerging economy, China.
India became a geopolitical player and this led to the 1962 border war with China.
The conclusion was that the idealism slowed down the process of globally growing in

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the rapid changing world. Probably the great-recognized recent case is that of the
IndiaU.S. Nuclear negotiations. In 2005, as India became actively looking for a
dramatic turnaround in its relations with the U.S. Thru a settlement on civil nuclear
power, it experienced robust U.S. Strain to sentence Iran’s nuclear programme. Its
votes at the UN in opposition to Iran in 2005 and 2006 had been criticised with the aid
of the then-United Progressive Alliance (UPA) authorities' principal allies on the left,
who saw in those votes the curtailing of India’s overseas coverage autonomy. As the
complex multi-staged nuclear deal advanced, the Left Front first protested after which
ultimately withdrew its guide entirely in July 2008. Although the authorities survived
and continued to make development at the deal with the U.S., this became a major
domestic blow to an aspirational foreign policy and arguably the first time due to the
fact that 1962 that oversees policy have become a central problem in home politics.

2. The NAM has not lost any of its relevance. Rather it has stood the test of
time. Critically Comment in the context of Vice-President Venkaiah
Naidu’s visit to the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit at Baku
in Azerbaijan.

Ans 2. The Non-Aligned Movement is an international organisation that was

established post the second World War in an attempt to detach from having to pick
sides between the two existing superpowers, which were the United States and Russia.
It may be likened to the collective of pawns on a chessboard refusing to assemble and
arm to serve one side or the other, and instead uniting in an effort to abstain from
having to pick sides. The Movement counts more than 100 member states that hold
over half of the world’s population, and is thus no trifling union. The Non-Aligned
Movement was founded and held its first conference (the Belgrade Conference) in
1961 under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of
Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Sukarno of
Indonesia. It followed the spate of decolonisation after WWII and included many
states that had only recently gained independence. It is thus a collective dedicated to
empowering the smaller, underdeveloped and impoverished states and encouraging

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efforts in their development, combating terrorism and boosting economies, education
and overall welfare.

Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-President of India, spoke at the 18 th NAM Summit in Baku,

Azerbaijan, and while touching upon the core tenets that NAM must focus on such as
empowerment of its members and encouraging technological advancements to aid
infrastructure and education, reserved the crux of his dialogue to bring attention to
Pakistan’s misuse of the forum and to address terrorism. Pakistan had previously used
the stage at the Summit to defend terrorist activities attributed to it in the Jammu &
Kashmir region. Referring to Pakistan as an “epicentre for terrorism”, he stressed how
NAM’s objectives also comprise counter-terrorism efforts as this is the single greatest
threat to world peace in present times, as in Naidu’s eloquent words, “when there is
tension, you cannot pay attention”. He urged members states to unite strongly against
terrorism in the modern scenario, and for Pakistan to cease such militant activity that
disturbs the peace among neighbouring regions.

As far as relevance of the Non-Aligned Movement goes, the organisation stands as

testament to unity amongst the ‘little people’ against being strategic pieces to be used
for gain by the bigger powers. It was a statement that the world may not simply be
divided into two or more blocs, and others may choose to have no part in armament
and in aiding one or the other player. The issues that NAM has on its agenda are
universally relevant even today. It may well be criticised for outdated economic
policies in that very few rich nations have complied to give 0.7% aid to the poorer
ones as was suggested. Although talk of unity amongst the weak is true, NAM is often
faulted for being amongst G-7, ASEAN and the Commonwealth and achieving little
of note, all while the US is growing in influence and financial, military and overall
prowess. It is also considered redundant in that the West has overtaken with the help
of globalisation and liberalism, while Russia has dropped to a solid second in terms of
most important determinants, and thus the choice between the two has become a
veritable nullity. All this taken into consideration, NAM still has the potential to
contribute hugely with its core of willing and unified member states, and an agenda of
priorities that need taking action. It runs the risk of becoming redundant if it becomes
complacent, however it is greatly needed in the current climate of juxtaposition
between unbelievable and despicable lifestyles. While terrorism exists with the
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technology that is available, Venkaiah Naidu’s concerns about bringing stringent
enforcement against such tactics is one of utmost importance and must be taken up
along with developmental strategies by NAM collectively for the greater good.

3. What do you mean by the north South Divide? What attempts have been
made to bridge this divide? Were they successful or not? Explain with
examples.

Ans 3. The term north south divide or gap is used to describe the economic gap
between the rich countries in the North and the poor countries in the south. During the
cold war the primary gap in global sense was between the west and the east on the
basis of social security reasons. After that the emergence of this gap was due to
economic inequalities. There have been a lot reasons as to why the gap is so large.
The unequal distribution of income around the world, economic competition world-
wide and standard of living. The first issue is of unequal distribution of economy
because of neo colonism and reliance on agriculture per say. The distribution of
income around the world to this part has been less because of non-liberalisation of
markets. The standard of living is affected because of inappropriate infrastructure and
over population in countries like India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc.
In order to bridge the gap between the developed and the developing countries the
idea of sustainable development got pitched in. It was during 1960s when the issue of
this gap came out and it was then concluded that this gap is not only hampering global
economy but also peace and security amongst nations. Increasing FDI and
investments in the less developed countries will lead to a transformation of the South
into North. The overall investment rates will increase when the multinational
companies will invest and that will lead to a dynamic growth. This will not only fuel
income and employment but also build up technology within the local firms that
operate on low skilled labours. The international organizations such as the IMF,
World Bank, etc came into action and facilitated the regulation of monetary fund.
With time, the working pattern of these organizations has been more sustainable in
nature. The G20 leaders voiced their opinions in the current political scenario along
with WTO, etc so that there is a decentralization of the international financial
governance by assigning tasks at regional and lower levels. The regional trade
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agreements between nations that are located near to one another will further create an
impact on development of the South. SAARC and ASEAN countries have been able
to achieve some goals. The concept of regional economic development will better off
trade. To a certain extent, in the current scenario, not a lot of countries have been
benefitted. This is largely because agricultural conditions, demand of certain goods,
poultry, etc vary from region to region. The investment and capital thus varies.
Perhaps, if countries make efforts towards the demand and supply of the commodities
and strike a balance between the two, then the step of sustainable development can
help in bridging the gap between these countries.

4. Recently, Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, gave a lecture on

the topic “Beyond the Delhi Dogma: Indian Foreign Policy in a Changing
World”. Do you agree with his understanding of the trajectory of India’s
Foreign Policy? If Yes, Why and if Not, why not.

Ans 4. It can be said that the points stated by the external minister of India have not
been totally irrelevant however some of them were very diplomatically framed and
are open to controversies. Talking about his vision or Bhartiya Janata Party’s vision
towards relations with other countries whilst shooting the Indian vote financial
institution simultaneously is a brilliant strategy. Ministry posted the speech without
delay it became introduced on MEA’s internet site. He mentioned that how in today’s
world what characterizes power and decides national standing is no longer the only
means, which before might be the proper factors have been changed in today’s time.
Innovati0n, network and alternate are at the core of new contestations. In a
progressively obliged and associated world, contention has to be sought after perforce
more cleverly.
He mentioned that the obsession that we have with foreign investments for adding to
the development of the country is not the only thing to do because the foreign
investors are withdrawing money from the economy and with correlation to that we
need to stabilise our foreign policies. He then spoke about the dogmas of Delhi which
once more changed into a very diplomatic assertion which explained the thoroughly-
known fact that the decisions made with the aid of New Delhi are the ones which have
an effect on our relations at large but right here he once more refrained to give an
explanation for how New Delhi is or needs to improve the current ongoing affairs.
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He also spoke about India's nuclear policy which in my opinion desires to be
considered. Since the world has modified, our nuclear policy also desires to be
reconstructed. India along with China have openly declared that we do have nuclear
weapons however we shall not use nuclear weapons in opposition to you. That
particular affirmation doesn’t really give any justification since it kills the whole point
of containing these weapons. Now a lot of neighbouring countries do have nuclear
arsenals as properly and in the past tensions did rise but didn’t go to a level of war. It
is high time India reconstructs its policies regarding this.
He also spoke about Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas which in global
politics today is a relevant component. It is the nation who have an excellent mix 0f
pr0ficiencies, relationships and positi0ning who can aspire to occupy a couple of
poles of the emerging international order. And it is the confidence of having the
ability to forge in advance that could encourage us to end up a leading power inside
the future. In his conclusion, he quoted that "The stability sheet for India’s foreign
policy after seven a long time gives a mixed photograph." but here if we follow the
graph within the remaining BJP regimes the road has dropped extensively and BJP
has simply failed to hold up the requirements which were if not excessive have been
stored at a first-rate minimum standard.
Concluding the topic, it is can be easily stated as to how the whole speech was
politically motivated and how the speaker completely looked over the failures of
several aspects of foreign policy and only focused on the political achievements of the
BJP party.

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