Indian Foreign Policy in 2021: Challenges in Front of India

Indian Foreign Policy In 2021
 12 Jan 2021
 7 min read
Tags:
 GS Paper - 2
 India and its Neighbourhood
 Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests
This article is based on “Reframing India’s foreign policy priorities” which was
published in The Hindu on 12/01/2021. It talks about the current challenges and
opportunities in pursuit of fulfilling foreign policy objectives.
Like any other country, India’s foreign policy envisages to widen its sphere of
influence, enhance its role across nations, and make its presence felt like an
emerging power. The year 2021 presents a bunch of challenges and opportunities in
pursuit of fulfilling foreign policy objectives.
For instance, the rise of China and its influence in India’s neighbourhood is a cause
of worry for India. Moreover, concluding the negotiations for an EU-China
Comprehensive Agreement on Investment debunks the myth of Chinese isolation
after Covid-19 pandemic and further strengthened China’s position.
Moreover, India’s foreign policy decisions like growing convergence with the US
have led to weakening its links with traditional friends like Russia and Iran.
Therefore, in shifting the balance of power in the region, India needs to tackle foreign
policy challenges and leverage opportunities carefully.
Challenges in Front of India

 A Stronger China: China is the only major country that had a positive growth
rate at the end of 2020, and its economy is poised to grow even faster in 2021.
o Militarily, China has further strengthened itself and now seeks to dominate
the Indo-Pacific Ocean with its announcement of its third aircraft carrier’s
launch in 2021.
o In this context, any breakthrough in Sino-Indian relations is unlikely to
occur, and the confrontation between Indian and Chinese armed forces is
expected to continue.
 Growing Russia-China Axis: Russia is beginning to display more significant
interest in its periphery’s affairs. Moreover, the sanctions imposed on Russia
after Crimea's annexation in 2014 has pushed Russia towards a tighter
embrace of China.
o This seems to signal reduced interest in countries such as India.
o Also, India’s closeness to the U.S. has weakened its links with traditional
friends such as Russia and Iran.
 Changing Middle East Equations: The US-brokered rapprochement between
Israel and four Arab countries — the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan —
reflected the changing landscape in the region.
o However, despite the hype surrounding Abraham Accords, the situation
remains fluid and has not reduced the risk of a confrontation between Iran
and Israel.
o Given the region’s strategic flux, Iran could well be tempted to use its
nuclear capability to enhance its position.
o This does pose problems for India since both have relations with it.
 Self-Imposed Isolation of India: Currently, India remains isolated from two
important supranational bodies of which it used to be a founding member, viz.,
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
o Moreover, India has opted out of the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP).
o This self-imposed isolation doesn’t synergise with India’s aspiration of
becoming a global power.
 Weakening Ties with Neighbors: A more worrying concern for Indian foreign
policy is weakening ties with the neighbours.
o This can be seen from instances like China’s Cheque Book
Diplomacy vis-a-vis Srilanka, strain in relation with Bangladesh on NRC
issue and recent border controversy with Nepal due to the release of
the new map.
Way Forward
 Neighbourhood First: Through a series of diplomatic efforts, India should
make valiant efforts to improve relations with some of its neighbours such as
Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka,
o In this context, as the world emerges from the pandemic, India has a lot to
gain from what could be “vaccine diplomacy” with neighbours in 2021 —
supplying vaccines either free or at affordable costs.
 External Aid in Adequate Measure: The current standoff with China has
reinforced JL Nehru’s belief in 1963 that India needs “external aid in adequate
measure”.
o In this context, India will need continuing support from the US, Japan,
Australia, besides European leaders such as France, Germany and the
UK.
o India should appreciate European entry into Indo-pacific narrative, as
already, France and Germany have come up with their Indo-Pacific
strategy.
 India at UNSC High Table: As India enters the UN Security Council as a
non-permanent member for the eighth time, India should raise all-important
global matters like China’s aggressiveness— from Tibet to Taiwan, Iran-Saudi
rivalry, refugee crisis between Bangladesh and Myanmar, etc.
o India should refrain from a limited focus on isolating Pakistan, as it would
distract from India’s aspirations of being a global leader.
 Engaging With US: As the future of Quad and the Indo-Pacific strategy relies
on the new US administration, India will need to build on its deepening strategic
and defence ties with the US and resolve trade and visa issues.
Conclusion
In the light of the changing actualities of the international situation, India must
cautiously play foreign policy, if it wants to emerge as a global rather than an
aspirational player.

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Challenges in Front of India

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