Coordinates and Compulsions of India’s Foreign Policy

Organized by Global India Foundation
India International Centre, New Delhi
August 03, 2011

Concept Note

The civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and the USA, signed in 2008, set in motion a chain of events that catapulted the so-called ‘Elephant’ of world politics into hitherto unexpected global preponderance. The conception of the deal, in itself, and the consequent India-specific waivers from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, conclusively signaled an already apparent shift in the global balance of power towards an emergent India. However, this pachyderm’s gradual ascent to the highest echelons of international relations has been as much a function of antecedent political and historical factors as of the democratic and demographic advantages the country has enjoyed over the preceding two decades.

Although nuclear proliferation to the subcontinent led to South Asia’s ‘Cold War’, ideationally rooted in collective memory and materially underpinned by the dynamics of power politics in the region, the landmark agreement with the US aids India to chart a course of strategic autonomy through the international politics of nuclear nonproliferation, albeit with even greater responsibility in continuing its indigenous nuclear program. One shall be mistaken, however, to believe that India’s assumption of a great power (or global player) status in world politics comes only on the back of military primacy. Indeed, the display of Indian ‘soft power’ in Afghanistan, development cooperation in Africa, and the country’s contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the recently concluded UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn highlight the expanding scope of India’s interactions with the global political community.

Yet, it is often difficult to ascertain the congruence between India’s assumed and actual roles in various theatres of international relations, as also to bridge the gap between aspirations and capabilities. India has been slow to utilize its geographic contiguity with Central Asia and Eurasia and to seek a vigorous engagement in the emerging economies of Africa and Latin America. In fact, it no longer remains clear if India covets a permanent seat in the UN Security Council given the costs and responsibilities associated with such a position; instead, the country may choose to promote its global objectives through smaller and regional arrangements. The lack of a sustained and coherent policy towards the Middle East, too, has proved to be a major stumbling block in Indian foreign policy. However, it is imperative to take heed of the political transformations already afoot in North Africa and West Asia in order to respond to this gathering storm in an appropriate manner.

Much of India’s external engagements, though, remain embroiled in the high politics of territorial integrity and national security. India continues to develop an ambivalent relationship of trade contra territory with China, while its partnership with the US has gone from strength to strength, as evident from the nuclear cooperation and the various political and economic advances in the wake of President Obama’s recent visit. Moreover, there appears no resolution to the Kashmir predicament in the foreseeable future, while India has emerged as one the key actors in the global movement against terrorism. In addition, the catastrophic events of 26/11 and the recurrent predicament of piracy and abduction of Indian merchant vessels and citizens around the Horn of Africa have made maritime security a matter of salience and urgency.

In keeping with its mandate of pursuing academic research on issues that pertain to the cause of India’s national resilience and international interdependence, Global India Foundation proposes to host a seminar on the ‘Coordinates and Compulsions of India’s Foreign Policy’ on August 03, 2011, following the inaugural edition of the Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam Annual Memorial Lecture instituted by GIF on August 02, 2011. The Foundation wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies for the realization of a successful forum for discussion and deliberation on the contemporary crucibles of Indian foreign policy.

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