Alternative foreign policy "EMPOWER IAS"

 

Context

• A document has emerged from the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in the nature of an alternative to the present foreign and defence policies named ‘India’s Path to Power: Strategy in a world adrift’. It is authored by eight well-known strategists and thinkers.

 

Background

• India does not have a tradition of shadow cabinets lurking behind the government in power with ready alternative approaches to policy matters. 
• The opposition challenges government policies, but provides no alternatives to be adopted in the event of a change in government. 
  • It is only at the time of elections that a manifesto is put forward, but that does not become the policy of the government automatically. 
• The opposition uses think tanks and NGOs to float ideas, which may become part of policy if they become publicly acceptable. 
  • Since there has been a consensus on foreign policy, a shadow foreign policy was out of the question.
• In 2012, many of the same authors had produced another document, ‘Non-alignment 2.0’, in the light of the global changes at that time, as a contribution to policy making, without criticising the policies of the government. 
  • But the new government in 2014 had its own ideas and not much attention was given to the study. 

 

Change in foreign policy

• The first term of the Modi government was remarkable for its innovative, bold and assertive foreign policy, which received general approbation.
• After his unconventional peace initiatives with Pakistan failed, he took a firm stand and gained popularity at home.
• His wish to have close relations with the other neighbours did not materialise, but his helpful attitude to them even in difficult situations averted any crisis.
• He brought a new symphony into India-U.S. relations and engaged China continuously to find a new equation with it. India’s relations with Israel and the Arab countries became productive.
• In its second term, the government dealt with some of the sensitive matters, which were essentially of a domestic nature such as Article 370, citizenship issues and farming regulation.
• The external dimensions of these matters led to a challenge to the government’s foreign policy.

 

Significance of the Report

• The finding is that domestic issues have impacted foreign policy and, therefore, India should set its house in order to stem the tide of international reaction. 
• It is important that we acknowledge the perverse impact of domestic political and ideological factors that are driving our foreign policy. 
• Once the basic premise is set aside, the report has many positive elements, which will help policymakers to rethink policy. 
  • For instance, the report rightly points out that “it would be incorrect and counterproductive for India to turn its back on globalisation”.
  • It also suggests that SAARC should be revived and that India should rejoin the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and continue its long-standing quest for membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
• The report also stresses the importance of strategic autonomy in today’s world where change is the only certainty. 
• As for the India-U.S.- China triangle, the report makes the unusual suggestion that India should have better relations individually with both the U.S. and China than they have with each other.
• The report contains detailed analyses on different regions and key countries, but the general thrust is that all is not well with Indian foreign policy and a fundamental change is necessary to meet the present situation. 
• The report concludes that since China will influence India’s external environment politically, economically and infrastructurally, there is no feasible alternative to a combination of engagement and competition with China. 
• A considerable part of the report is devoted to issues relating to defence, the nuclear doctrine, space, cyberspace and the ecological crisis. 
• On the looming environmental disaster, the report states that since India is still at an early stage of its modern development trajectory, it is not yet locked into an energy-intensive pattern of growth. Much of its infrastructure remains to be built.

 

Suggestions in the Centre for Policy Research report

• Impact of domestic issues on foreign policy: The finding of the report is that domestic issues have impacted foreign policy and, therefore, India should set its house in order to stem the tide of international reaction.
• This assertion at the beginning of the report is the heart of the report and it is repeated in different forms.
• Importance of globalisation: The report rightly points out that “it would be incorrect and counterproductive for India to turn its back on globalisation…”
• Revival of SAARC: The report also suggests that SAARC should be revived and that India should rejoin the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and continue its long-standing quest for membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
• Strategic autonomy: The report also stresses the importance of strategic autonomy in today’s world where change is the only certainty.
• Relations with the US and China: As for the India-U.S.- China triangle, the report makes the unusual suggestion that India should have better relations individually with both the U.S. and China than they have with each other.
• The report concludes that since China will influence India’s external environment politically, economically and infrastructurally, there is no feasible alternative to a combination of engagement and competition with China.
• Pakistan policy: The report asserts, “as long as our objectives of policy towards Pakistan are modest, resumption of dialogue and a gradual revival of trade, transport and other links are worth pursuing.”

 

India’s Foreign Policy

• Focus on Geo-Politics: Indian foreign policy, like that of most other States, has generally given primacy to the frictions and friendships relating to geopolitics such as:
  • The demand for nuclear disarmament
  • The Non-Aligned Movement as a response to the Cold War
  • Support for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping
  • Call for adoption of Comprehensive convention on international terrorism
  • However, lesser importance has been given to geo-economics.
• Environment Related Initiatives: The Prime Minister of India has espoused climate action as an issue where what India does within its borders to benefit its citizens also matters well beyond our borders. This has both economic and political benefits.
  • Also, India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of all three Rio conventions on climate change (UNFCCC), biodiversity (Convention on Biological Diversity) and land (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
• Foreign Policy amid the Pandemic: During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, India’s foreign policy apparatus was key in securing essential global supplies.