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International Relations and Indian Foreign Policy
BA SOCIAL SCIENCE
SEMSTER -- 4
SUBMITTED BY- Roop Singh Meena
2012/H/BA/028





TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
HYDERABAD 2014



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Table of Contents
Briefly examine Indias Foreign Policy since 1990? .................................................................................... 3
1. Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Objects of Indias foreign policy ...................................................................................................... 3
4. Principles of Indias foreign policy -- ............................................................................................... 4
5. Why 1990 is important for structural change in international politics .......................................... 5
6. Indias national interests ....................................................................................................................... 7
7. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 10
8. Reference -- ......................................................................................................................................... 11















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Briefly examine Indias Foreign Policy since 1990?



1. Abstract
This paper analyze the Indias foreign policy since 1990. It also analyze the Indias foreign
policy principles, objects and national interests. This paper analyze the political, economic,
social and security condition after the 1990 in India. Foreign policy plays very important role as
wheels for international relations. Every sovereign country has its foreign policy. Foreign policy
refers to the sum total principles, objects and interests which country promotes when it interact
with other country. The foreign policy of country is determined by several factors such as
history, culture, geography and economy. In case of India these type several factors has been
responsible for the shaping the principles and objects of the foreign policy. No state can live
without relations with other states. After the cold war, the world changes rapidly. Some countries
lost power and many countries got power. Countries tried to make good relationship with others
and they try to develop a peacefully and cooperation world. Some issues and conflict such as
refugee problem, environmental degradation, terrorism and others are emerge with new world.
The main aim of Foreign policy is to protect and promote its national interests. The key national
interests are defend the territorial integrity and soverginity, economic relations, promote
profitable trading relations with others countries, increase political power. The foreign policy is
always changeable but the national interests do not change. Before the cold war, India did not
interact with western countries but after the cold war, India is tried to interact with west and
other countries such as US and did not become a part of any blocks, USSR and US. Indias role
is very important in international context. India is emerging a power in Asia and global status in
few decades and become a most developed country among developing countries. This paper
analyze the Indian foreign policy with its national interests in present time and future.
2. Introduction
Any activity is likely useful when goals and objective guided it. The important objects of Indias
are preservation of national interest, achievement of world peace, disarmament, economic
development. These objects are getting through principles like Panchsheel, non-alignment and
peaceful co-existence, freedom of dependent peoples (anti-imperialism), opposition to racial
discrimination, peaceful settlement of international disputes, the Gujral doctrine and nuclear
policy of India.
3. Objects of Indias foreign policy
Foreign policy makers set out certain objects before they proceed to determine principles of
foreign policy. Several these objects are down basic principles and formulate principles. The
primary propose of any countrys foreign policy is to promote its national interests such as
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ensure to its security, achievement of world peace, disarmament, economic development. The
goal of Indias foreign policy are promotion of international peace and security. Indias foreign
policy objects maintain friendly relations with other countries and avoid military alliance.
4. Principles of Indias foreign policy --
a) Non-alignment
The policy of non-alignment is main contribution of India to world. Immediately, after
the ended of Second World War, a new tension developed between the erstwhile friend
and allies. This tension called the cold war. The world divided into two parts, United
States and Soviet Union. India did not want to join any of the power. Indias decision to
follow independent foreign policy. India want to friendly relation with all and pursuit of
world peace. India want to develop its economic, so India needed friendly relationship
with big power and neighbors. India made it clear that it would reserve the right to freely
express its opinion on international problem without any pressure.

b) Panchsheel and peaceful co-existence
Panchsheel is an important part of Indias foreign policy. Indian philosophy of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam promotes world is one family, it means that peoples
belonging to different religion and social systems can live together in place, while each
follows own system. After signing Sino-Indian agreement of April 26, 1954, for trade and
intercourse between the Tibetan region of china and India, India started to follow Indian
philosophy. The five principles known as Panchsheel mentioned in this agreement
Mutual respect for each others territorial integrity and
sovereignty,
Mutual non-aggression,
Mutual non-interference in each others internal affairs,
Equality and mutual benefit
Peaceful co-existence.
c) Freedom of dependent peoples (anti-imperialism)
India has always opposed all forms of colonialism and imperialism. It decided to give
support to the cause of freedom of dependent peoples in Asian and African countries such
as indo-china, Malaya, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, gold coast (new Ghana). One of the first
decision taken by Nehrus government was to recall the Indian troop which send the
British to suppress the freedom struggles in the Dutch and French colonies. India
supported Indonesia to fighting the Dutch to get freedom. India give fully supported to
Namibia which prolonged colonial rule of racist South Africa to get freedom.
d) Opposition to racial discrimination (anti-racism)
Indian policy always believe in equality of all human beings. Its policy always opposition
to all form of racial discrimination. South Africa was the most of worst example of
discrimination against the colored peoples including the people of India origin. India give
fully support to the peoples who are fighting against the racism discrimination.
e) Foreign economic aid and Indias independent policy
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India believed that economic development of country is very important. After
independence, India tried to develop all areas. India was aware of the lack of adequate
resources and lack of better technology, so it tried to develop its economy.
f) Peacefully settlement of international disputes
Only two method of settling international disputes are war and peacefully settlement.
International community and all states have goal that peacefully settlements of disputes.
During the pre-historic, war was the main method of deciding disputes.
g) The Gujral doctrine
This doctrine is expression of the foreign policy. It is started by the Inder Kumar Gujral,
the foreign minister in Deve Goda Government which assumed in office in June 1996.
After he also became the prime minister of India (1997-1998). Under the Gujral doctrine,
set up five principles to guide the foreign relations with Indias near neighbors --
I. India does not ask with its neighbors such as Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka for mutuality but gives and
accommodates what it can good faith and trust.
II. No south Asian country should allow to use its territory for against
the interest another country of the reign.
III. No country should allow to interfere in the internal affairs of
another country.
IV. All south Asian countries must be respect each others territorial
integrity and soverginity.
V. They should settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral
negotiations.
h) Nuclear policy of India
During the period of Jawaharlal Nehru, the research in atomic energy started. India want
to develop atom for peace, or atomic energy use for peaceful propose. India seriously
thought about nuclear weapons after the Bangladesh crisis (1971). India conducted first
nuclear test in 1974. It was conducted only Peaceful Nuclear Explosion. India refused
to sign the discriminatory non-proliferation treaty (1968).


5. Why 1990 is important for structural change in international
politics

The berlin wall, the symbol of the cold war fall down in 1989. The fall of berlin wall brought
many changes in international politics. After end of cold war, gained get not only western
countries but also Asian countries such as India and China also got profit. Suddenly collapse of
USSR (Soviet Union) brought a great strategic advantages for China. Some countries lost power
but many others countries got power after cold war. After cold war, Asia became main creditor
and economically power with fast growing market, fastest rising military power and most
variable hot spots, . Europeans countries also get power but not more than Asians countries.
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The economy of Asia continent is growing very fast. Asians countries face complex security,
energy and development challenges with larger interstate competition in this era of globalization.
After the cold war and berlin wall crisis, the development was shift from the military power to a
significant role for economic power in extending international geopolitics. The global power was
not shifted by the military triumphs or geopolitics reassessment rather a unique factor played
very important called rapid economic growth. During the industrial revolution, economic
growth played very important role. After the end of cold war, increase their foreign investment
and trade with other global institutions. It was emergence with the worlds biggest trade surplus,
largest foreign reserves and highest steel production. After the Tiananmen Square massacre
which was considered as an anti-government movement that happened in the capital of China
brought many changes in the world scenario. It withdrew western countries from trade with
china. But despite this weak relation with the western world, China had seen a tremendous
economic growth through trade and commerce with Afro Asian countries. Today, china is set to
displace Japan as the second largest economy in the world.
The economy of India also changed after the end of cold war. Indias economy rise as new
economy huge. India was mostly did trade with the USSR (Soviet Union) and its communist
allies in Eastern Europe. The trade between USSR and India was commodity exchange, not cash.
After the end of cold war, when USSR started to divide into many parts then, India had to
starting pay for imports in cash. Then, Indias modest foreign exchange reserves decrease
rapidly. Result, India faced severe balance of payments crisis in 1991. After, this financial crisis,
forced to India for start radical economic reforms. These economic reforms helped to rise
economy of India. In 1989, the emblematic defeat of Marxian allowed to Asian countries such as
India and China for overtly follow capitalist policies. While, under the Chinese communist party,
leader of Deng Xiaoping, chinas economic modernization reforms already started. He helped to
create great wealth, which helped to get good economic growth for china. The activity of
communist party in china, helped to get good position of communist parties in other parts of Asia
and beyond. Cold war play very important role Indian foreign policy. Cold war helped to rise the
Indians policy of non-alignment. After the end of cold war, the Indians policy of non-alignment
became redundant. India faced terrible development challenge. The end of cold war brought a
foreign policy crisis for India by the Indias most significant partner, the USSR (Soviet Union).
But, in economic view, that crisis brought positive effect for India. That crisis helped to India for
recover its foreign policy. That crisis, forced to India for leave traditional activity. After the cold
war, India started to make a mutuality and beneficiary relationship such as Indo-US relationship,
with the significant countries and Asia such as Japan and beyond such as European power and it
is not easy that Russia remains Indias good friend. In recent years, Indians economy paid
attention to world for its economic growth. The fall of berlin wall, India get opportunities for
new relationship and partnerships and keeping old friends. It was biggest challenge that its
trusted partner and friend USSR (soviet union) left. USSR was very important for India because
it supplied weapons, spare parts, diplomatic support on Kashmir issues and other issues. The
economic crisis forced to India for restart and liberalize its economy and open market for private
sector for investment. These factor seriously put effect on Indian politics and economy. The end
of cold war and the collapse of the USSR (Soviet Union) set a great path of Asians countries
profile in international level.
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Fall of berlin wall and end of cold war, India emerged as an identity country. These activity
helped to India to go closest with Europe and US. World become a one parts, so India and
western countries came together at one place. The end of cold war helped India to transform
from a developing countries to an emerging power/economies. It is big challenge for India to
become a great power in Asia because its get big challenge with another Asian countries such as
China and Japan. Kashmir issues become a big challenge for Indians foreign policy because
Pakistan and many others countries put blamed on India for violence on human beings.
Fall of berlin wall and end of cold war, were not a signaled an end of conflict and problems and
spread political and economic liberalism in the world. All countries is coming together to fight
new conflict and problems such as climate change, terrorism, nuclear problem and other
problems. It helped to set up new kind of global politics. After the changes in regional and global
level, two Asian power rise, china and India with strong economic performance and growing
political power and changing Asian power structure. India sits on big reserves of power but there
is some limit which put effect on this power. India faces some serious challenges such as
poverty, population explosion, lack of good infrastructure. These challenges put effect on India
to making soft power.
6. Indias national interests
Every nation have some goal and ambitions such as better political, security, economic, and so
on. They try to achieve these goal and ambitions. India have interest on to achievement a fastest,
sustained socio-economic development of the country. Indian foreign policy is connected with
the Indias core national values and ideas such as multilateralism, peaceful coexistence, justice,
freedom, equality and dynamic adaptation for change the international environment. The main
objects of Indians foreign policy is a assuring peaceful and secure neighborhood, pally and
balanced relationship with the main powers and friendly beneficial partnership with developing
countries.
India try to close and better neighborly relations with all its neighbors which depend on the
fundamental principles of equality and mutual respect.
A. Central Asia
Indias interest in central Asia is strategic, military, security and stability, cultural, energy and
economic development. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are good in oil and gas, so
they can provide oil and gas to India. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are hold great hydroelectric
potential, so they can supply energy. Central Asia hold Islamic terrorists groups, they can find
way to India. If instability in central Asia and combined precarious situation in china,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries then it can create serious security problem
in India, so it is very important that the stability of central Asia. India can do economic
cooperation with central Asian countries. That activity help to improve economic growth. Many
Asian countries hold similar cultural, so its help to improve cultural activity in India. India
surrounded by unstable countries such as Pakistan, if India make a positive and effective
relations with these countries. Then, the relationship between India and her unstable neighbors
countries, is not only good for India but also good for all countries. India also get markets for her
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products. That activity help to progressing economic growth. Many companies come from
different countries, are investing in India, so it give benefit to economic growth.
B. Indias Look East Policy
Indias look east policy lunched in 1991, because after the collapse of USSR (Soviet Union),
India wanted to improve her relations with all major power of the world. India focused mainly on
South-East Asia because it was growing market. India wanted to beyond the SAARC for benefit
out of the economic potential of the south east and East Asian reign. This policy help to
economic, political, military, regional dimensions. This policy help to get advantage in different
areas such as education, democracy and culture. It is helping to improve tourism in India. During
the cold war, south Asian countries perceived china as a dangerous because of its rising military
power but some situation change.
C. South Asia
It is very important for India to make good relations with her neighbors. A peaceful
neighborhood is help to get good economic growth, security, political power. Indias is providing
some trade facilities such as the facility of the duty free access to Indian market for imports
products from her neighbors like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Sri Lanka is
supporting to India for Indias candidature to the permanent membership of the United Nations
Security Council.
D. East Asia-
Indian policy is always concerned on improvement in economic growth, political power, and
security and cultural. Indias interest to play effective role in the reign, even as an intermediately
and emerge a global power. India want to make a friendly relations with all countries of this
reign. Indias interests to develop economic, trade and investment ties and energy security with
all countries of this reign. Many countries of this reign hold energy resources such as oil, so it is
good for countries economic. India has balanced view on Arab countries. It does not want
interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries.
India articulated a policy for its neighbors. In that policy, India emphasis the advantage of
buildings networks of inter connectivity, trade and investment. They cooperation in many fields
such as education, medical services, transport, telecommunication, civil aviation, irrigation,
power generation, ports, rail line, industry and others. These countries can benefit for Indias
rapid economic growth and rising prosperity.
E. ASEAN
The relation between ASEAN and India was not strong before 1990. During that time, Indias
search economy space, then Look East Policy came out. ASEAN help to recover the economy of
India. ASEAN countries and India signed a cooperation agreement for terrorism. India plan to
more progress in ASEAN-India partnership for peace, security and trade.
F. Superpower countries
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The main aim of Indias foreign policy is to achieve global status, so its interest to make good
relations with superpower like Japan, US, china, Russia, and European countries.
a) US (United States)
Before the cold war, US always ignored India as a regional power in south Asia. But,
after cold war, India is trying to good relation with US. India is expanding economic,
technological, cultural and educational relations with US. Indias main interest is that US
is help to convince the international community that India is good global player and a
balance power in Asia. US and India, both are working in several areas such as nuclear
energy, Defense and technology. The relationship between India and US, is very
important for both economic, and regional and global security.
b) Russia
Russia is good friend of India. Russia supply defense equipment and technology to India.
Russia is very important for Indias sectors such as economic, security and military.
c) European Countries
India has very important partnership with European Countries. The most important part
of this partnership is that India have a fifth rank after the US, Canada, Russia and china
whom European Countries established a good balance. Under this partnership, trade and
investment, protection for different sectors such as science and technology, education,
terrorism and democratization. This partnership help India to emerging economic power
and making good global status.

G. Asia- Pacific countries

a) Japan
Japan and India have common economic partnership agreement. Japan trying to build up
a stronger business network in India. Japanese companies are investing money in Indian
market for developing Indian economy. India deal agreement for national security and
energy such as nuclear agreements. India also sign indo-japan cultural agreement. Japan
is helping India to build up and reconstruction Universities and colleges such as Nalanda
and the campus of Indian institute of technology (IIT), Hyderabad. Indias foreign policy
interests to make good partnership in future for economic, political status and security.
b) South Korea
During economic crisis in India, South Korean companies believed on Indian economy.
They helped to start economic reform in that time. Indias foreign policy interests is to
promote good relation with South Korea in next years. Many Korean companies such as
Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Daewoo are working in India. The trade and investment
between South Korea and India are increasing rapidly. South Korea is providing military
equipment and also manufacturing military equipment such as transfer of technology and
coproduction to India. Their armies are exercise together many times. South Korea also
try to participation in shipbuilding in India. India and South Korean, both are working
together in, energy and nuclear sector.

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India foreign policy will face big challenges such as neighbored policy, nuclear policy, climate
changes, maritime security, terrorism, economic stability. All these are put effect on economic
growth, political status and security. During the cold war, the foreign policy of India followed
non-alignment policy to maintain independence of its foreign policy without dominating any
blocks. In the changed condition, India can follow non alignment policy on its own risks. In this
time and future, India compete with China in most of sectors and in the global economy that may
be for FDI or energy achievement. In present scenario, India need to rethink and reformulate its
non- alignment policy for future international environment. The relations between India and US
is very important in future for India and challenging external status because this relationship put
impact on the way which India interact with other three important countries, china, Russia and
the Islamic world. After china, Russia and Pakistan, both are larger Muslim countries. India have
larger number of Muslim minority as well as Hindu people nationalist. US have a good relation
with Pakistan (if we leave US attack on Pakistani city, Abbottabad for killing Osama Bin Laden,
few years before) and US can directly interfere in Pakistan, then it can create serious problem for
India. That is most serious challenge facing Indians foreign policy in future to make a balance
between need to maintain and develop good relationship with US while US can put pressure in
its struggle countries like China, Russia and Islamic world. US also important for nuclear energy.
This relation help to become a developed countries in future. The geopolitics of energy is
become very important for developing countries need to secure energy supply to maintain their
economic growth. Energy (gas or oil) become a very important for economic growth, regional
power status. Myanmar is rich country in energy resources. India and china, both are growing
interest in Myanmar, so it is become a sandwich between two powerful countries. Indias relation
with Myanmar is good in few years especially for energy issues. Myanmar energy resources
affected the relation between indo-china and indo-Myanmar. India need to make good relations
with Myanmar for energy resources and India build a gas pipeline for future. Indias foreign
policy make a good relation with its neighbors countries china and Pakistan for security issues,
economic and political status, immediately. India hold problem with china and Pakistan is North-
East and Kashmir. The stability of its neighbors countries also important for its economic,
political and security issues.
7. Conclusion
Foreign policy cannot stable because it change with time and situation. After the end of cold war,
geopolitics was totally change. Some nations lost power and many nations became more
powerful. The foreign policy of India also changed after the end of cold war. Before the end of
cold war, India mostly trade with USSR. India did not have clear neighbored policy and he
ignored her important neighbors such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and third world countries.
During that time, India faced economic crisis. But after the cold war, India started to trade with
other countries as US. Indias foreign policy is changing rapidly. It is time for India to work with
developing countries in environmental, economic, energy and terrorism issues. The improvement
in economy over the past decade, Indias foreign policy will focus on how to dealing with global
challenges like countries instability, economic issues, climate change, and security issues.

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8. Reference --
1) https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByEZ3wrnHU31ZUhFTVJtd3BFNVk/edit
2) https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByEZ3wrnHU31VW9zNnpmM0FJLWM/edit
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_India
4) https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByEZ3wrnHU31S0JBb1Z0YTJZSDQ/edit
5) https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByEZ3wrnHU31cm1pRnh2d2NTX00/edit
6) https://drive.google.com/?authuser=0#search/foreign%20policy%20of%20india