Aspirant Academy

Polity, Governance and Current Affairs

Introduction and Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy

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

Paper III · Unit 1 Section 2 of 11 0 PYQs 30 min
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Introduction and Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy

1.1 Conceptual Framework

Foreign policy is the sum total of goals, strategies, and actions a state pursues in relations with other states and international organisations.

India's foreign policy blends two traditions:

  • Idealism: Nehru's Panchsheel, Gandhian values, non-alignment
  • Realism: national interest, strategic autonomy, power balancing

Panchsheel — Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence

Agreed between India and China in the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between Tibet Region of China and India (29 April 1954):

  1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
  2. Mutual non-aggression
  3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
  4. Equality and mutual benefit
  5. Peaceful co-existence

These principles were incorporated into NAM's foundation documents and the UN Charter spirit. Ironically, China violated these principles in the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

1.2 Constitutional Mandate

Article 51 DPSP — India's constitutional directive on international relations:

  • Promote international peace and security
  • Maintain just and honourable relations between nations
  • Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations
  • Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration

Other constitutional provisions: Parliament legislates on foreign affairs, treaties, and international organisations under the Seventh Schedule, Union List, Entries 13–16. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under the PM/Cabinet system has operational control.

1.3 Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy

Structural and Geographical

  • India's peninsular position at the heart of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) — connecting the Persian Gulf, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and East Asia
  • Land borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan
  • Coastline: 7,516 km; EEZ: 2.37 million sq km
  • Himalayan frontier — natural barrier and source of disputes with China and Pakistan

Historical and Civilisational

  • India as a civilisational state — Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism spread across Asia; historical Silk Road connections
  • Colonial experience — suspicion of Western-dominated institutions; solidarity with developing nations
  • Partition trauma — Kashmir dispute unresolved; Pakistan as a structural challenge

Economic

  • Energy security: India imports ≈85% of oil needs (mainly Gulf, Russia, Iraq); energy diplomacy is central
  • Trade: Total goods trade ≈$1.6 trillion (2023); FTAs signed with UAE, Australia (2022); ongoing with EU, UK
  • Development cooperation: ITEC programme; Lines of Credit (LoC) extended to 60+ countries

Strategic and Military

  • Nuclear weapons state (declared 1998, Pokhran-II): No First Use (NFU) + "credible minimum deterrence"
  • Defence budget: $83 billion (2024) — 4th largest globally
  • IOR strategy: countering China's "string of pearls" with India's "necklace of diamonds"