108. Indian Foreign Policy: Determinants, Major Powers, Neighbours, Diaspora and Cultural Diplomacy

CORE Key Points at a Glance

1. 1

   Constitutional Determinants of Foreign Policy

   • India's foreign policy rests on Article 51 DPSP (five directives)
   • Promotion of international peace and security
   • Maintenance of just and honourable relations between nations
   • Respect for international law and treaty obligations
   • Settlement of international disputes by arbitration
2. 2

   Neighbours First Policy

   • Prioritises relations with all SAARC neighbours
   • Covers Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan
   • Premise: regional stability is prerequisite for India's economic growth and security
   • Rooted in and extending the Gujral Doctrine (1996)
3. 3

   Act East Policy

   • Launched 2014; evolved from "Look East" Policy (1991)
   • Deepens strategic, economic, and cultural ties with Southeast and East Asia
   • Operates through ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and bilateral partnerships
   • India-ASEAN trade: $130+ billion (2023)
4. 4

   Diaspora Diplomacy

   • Indian diaspora (PIOs + NRIs): approximately 32 million across 110+ countries — largest globally
   • Remittances: $125 billion (2023) — world's largest remittance recipient
   • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention held annually on 9 January
   • Key leverage in USA, Gulf, UK, Mauritius, and Southeast Asia
5. 5

   India-US Relations

   • Cold War estrangement → "comprehensive global strategic partnership" today
   • Anchor agreement: 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement
   • Defence foundational agreements: COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020), GSOMIA
   • iCET (2023): semiconductors, AI, space, quantum cooperation
6. 6

   India-Russia Relations

   • Time-tested strategic partnership since 1971 Friendship Treaty
   • Russia: India's largest defence supplier (≈50% of imports)
   • S-400 Triumf air defence system: contract 2018, delivery 2021–22, despite US CAATSA threat
   • Bilateral trade target: $100 billion by 2030
7. 7

   India's G20 Presidency (2023)

   • Presidency: December 2022 to November 2023
   • New Delhi Summit (9–10 September 2023) produced the New Delhi Declaration
   • Historic: African Union admitted as permanent G20 member
   • Announced IMEC; India showcased as "Vishwamitra" (friend of the world)
8. 8

   India-China Relations

   • Bilateral status: "Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership" — competitive yet cooperative
   • Bilateral trade: $136 billion (2023) despite tensions
   • Galwan Valley clash (June 2020): 20 Indian soldiers killed; 200+ Chinese apps banned
   • October 2024: buffer zones created at 4 friction points — partial normalisation
9. 9

   India-Pakistan Relations

   • Structured around terrorism, Kashmir, and nuclear deterrence
   • Major incidents: Parliament attack (2001), 26/11 Mumbai (2008), Uri surgical strike (2016), Pulwama-Balakot (2019)
   • Pakistan grey-listed by FATF (2018–2022); India suspended MFN status post-Pulwama
   • Indus Waters Treaty (1960) talks suspended by India post-Pahalgam attack (2025)
10. 10

    Cultural Diplomacy

    • International Yoga Day: 21 June; established by UN December 2014; 190+ countries
    • ICCR (est. 1950): 37 cultural centres in 29 countries; 3,200+ scholarships annually
    • Buddhist Circuit + Nalanda University revival: soft power in Buddhist Asia
    • Bollywood and Indian cuisine as global cultural reach instruments
11. 11

    India in Multilateral Institutions

    • UNSC non-permanent member 8 times (most recently 2021–22)
    • Founding member of NAM; active in G20, BRICS, SCO (full member 2017), QUAD
    • Part of IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, 2022) — alternative to China-dominated supply chains
    • Advocates permanent UNSC seat as part of UN reform agenda
12. 12

    Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

    • Sanskrit phrase from Maha Upanishad meaning "The world is one family"
    • Philosophical foundation of India's G20 Presidency theme (2023)
    • Articulates India's civilisational approach to international relations
    • Contrast with Western balance-of-power or transactional foreign policy models