Syllabus: GS-II: India’s Foreign Policy

Why in the News?

Recent debates on India’s foreign policy direction highlight how the nation has transitioned from Nehru’s non-alignment policy to Modi’s multi-alignment approach, reflecting India’s evolving economic aspirations, security needs and geopolitical realities.

Historical Roots of Non-Alignment

India’s journey in foreign policy began with Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of maintaining autonomy in decision-making, especially during the Cold War.

Key historical anchors

• Bandung Conference, 1955 – Laid the foundation of cooperation among newly independent Asian-African nations.
• Formation of NAM, 1961 – Provided a collective voice against Cold War polarisation.
• Opposition to apartheid, colonialism and nuclear arms race.
  

Core principles of non-alignment

• Support for self-determination and sovereignty
• Non-participation in military blocs
• Peaceful conflict resolution
• Strategic autonomy

The policy helped India receive economic assistance from both the US and USSR and strengthened its international moral standing. However, critics argue that post-1971, India leaned closer to the Soviet Union, particularly during the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation.

Limitations that emerged

• In the 1962 war with China, absence of strong alliances left India diplomatically weak.
  
• Globalisation and technology-driven interdependence made neutrality less practical.
  
• Military capability gaps required diversified partnerships.
  

India’s New Multi-Alignment Approach

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India reinterprets strategic autonomy in a multi-polar world.

Multi-alignment emphasises:

• Strategic partnerships with multiple countries at the same time
  
• Interest-based collaborations
  
• Flexible diplomacy instead of ideological positioning
  

Examples reflecting multi-alignment

• Quad – India works with the US, Australia and Japan for a free Indo-Pacific
  
• BRICS – Partners with Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa for alternate economic structures
  
• SCO – Engagement on Eurasian security and connectivity
  
• I2U2 Forum – India with US, Israel and UAE on food, tech, logistics
  

Strategic balancing

• US–India defence trade increased to nearly USD 24 billion by 2024
  
• Simultaneously, India continues major defence sourcing from Russia (over 60%)
  
• India purchased discounted Russian oil despite Western sanctions

This shows a strategy rooted in national interest, not alignment to a single bloc.

Economic Dimensions

India today is the world’s fifth-largest economy, expanding through:

• Free Trade Agreements with UAE and Australia
  
• Participation in Indo-Pacific supply chain
  
• New investments from Japan, South Korea and Gulf economies
  
• Leadership in global conversations on technology access and energy transition
  

India’s Current Foreign Policy – The 5S Framework

This principle-based model guides modern diplomacy:

The 5 Pillars

Sammaan – Respect for sovereignty
Samvaad – Dialogue with all
Suraksha – Responsible security posture
Samriddhi – Mutual economic growth
Sanskriti and Sabhyata – Cultural outreach based on civilisational identity

Challenges for India Today

• The Russia-China strategic axis poses future uncertainty
• Weaker engagement with SAARC limits South Asian regional integration
• Diplomatic tensions over border disputes with Nepal
• China’s financial influence in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh
• Low utilisation of regional economic agreements after opting out of RCEP
  

India, therefore, faces the dual challenge of economic assertiveness and regional leadership.

Way Forward

• Restore consistent neighbourhood cooperation under the Neighbourhood First approach
  
• Extend health diplomacy, digital public goods and climate partnership
  
• Strengthen logistics linkages, including INSTC and IMEEC
  
• Improve participation in regional economic frameworks
  
• Promote tech-led diplomacy in cyber laws, taxation and digital commerce
  

India’s presidency of G20 in 2023 marked a turning point, projecting India as “Vishwa Mitra” – a friend to all and adversary to none.

Conclusion

India’s shift from non-alignment to multi-alignment is not abandonment of principles but an adaptive evolution.

• Nehru offered moral agency, establishing India’s voice against colonialism and domination.
  
• Modi offers strategic agency, ensuring leverage through multiple partnerships.
  

This progression reflects India’s civilisational ethos— preserving autonomy while engaging dynamically for national interest.

Exam Hook – Mains Question

“Discuss how India’s foreign policy evolved from non-alignment to a multi-alignment framework. Examine its relevance in today’s multipolar geopolitical order.”

One-line wrap

India’s journey from non-alignment to multi-alignment shows how India has preserved independence while expanding global influence.

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