Continuity and Changes in India’s Foreign Policy: Since gaining independence, India has adhered to certain principles to guide its foreign policy in international relations. India’s strong historical legacy has helped shape its foreign relations with neighboring countries and the rest of the world. The principle of non-alignment has played a crucial role in building relationships with newly independent nations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. This unit also examines the evolution of India’s foreign policy. India adopted the non-alignment policy during the Cold War to remain neutral and avoid being drawn into the politics of the USSR and the USA. This policy was maintained until the end of the Cold War in the 1990s. With the Cold War’s conclusion, India’s foreign policy underwent significant changes. The shifting dynamics of international politics have prompted India to adopt a new foreign policy to protect its national interests and safeguard its geographical boundaries.
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Continuity of India’s Foreign Policy
Historical Legacy and Cultural Similarity
The foreign policy of any country is largely shaped by both its external and internal environments. Additionally, factors such as history, legacies, ideologies, and political structure play a significant role in determining a nation’s foreign policy. India’s foreign policy development is no exception to this. Multiple factors have shaped the goals and principles of its foreign policy, making it essential to examine the impact of India’s historical background. This legacy has deeply influenced India’s foreign policymaking over the years. As Jawaharlal Nehru rightly observed, India’s actions as a state are not an abrupt shift, but the culmination of its long history, contemporary experiences, and the ideals formed during the freedom movement.
Ideological Significance
Indian foreign policy is a product of two dominant ideological traditions prevalent in its culture. The first is rooted in the teachings of ancient Indian thinkers like Gautama Buddha and modern leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized friendship, cooperation, peace, and non-violence. They believed that both the means and the ends must be pure to achieve any objective. The second tradition, influenced by Western thinkers such as Machiavelli and Indian thinker Kautilya, emphasized power and realism, where the ends justified the means. While both traditions played a role, India has largely adhered to the first tradition, which has primarily shaped the nation’s foreign policy.
International Status
India’s international identity was firmly established early on. India signed the League of Nations covenant and the United Nations Charter as a primary member, marking its entry into global diplomacy. Before independence, India was excluded from the colonial conference alongside other self-governing dominions like Canada, Australia, and South Africa. However, India supported Britain during World War I with the hope of achieving a similar status in foreign affairs. This led to India’s inclusion in the 1917 colonial conference, which was later renamed the Imperial Conference and eventually evolved into the British Commonwealth. This early participation paved the way for India to join the United Nations as a founding member in 1945, solidifying its international standing even before gaining independence.
Role of the Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress played a pivotal role in the development of India’s foreign policy. Since World War I, the Congress has been actively involved in shaping India’s foreign relations. A key milestone occurred during the 1921 All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in New Delhi, which marked the beginning of a more formal engagement in foreign affairs. In 1925, Congress authorized the establishment of a foreign department, led by Jawaharlal Nehru. However, the department’s activities were limited between 1930 and 1934 due to the focus on public movements and imprisonment of key leaders. It regained prominence after Nehru became President of the Congress in 1936, leading to the formation of a dedicated foreign office under the leadership of Ram Manohar Lohia. Within six months, the department engaged with nearly 400 individuals and institutions to craft a foreign policy framework. Congress also began releasing press notes and bulletins on international issues. This extensive network of the Congress foreign policy department enabled Jawaharlal Nehru to present a comprehensive blueprint for independent India’s foreign policy during his first radio address on September 7, 1946, as the Vice-President of the Interim Government.
Changes in India’s Foreign Policy
India’s foreign policy has evolved significantly from 1947 to 1990, and again from 1990 to 2021, with each political regime adopting a new set of policies to safeguard national interests. The first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, introduced the policy of non-alignment during the Cold War, aiming to keep India out of the geopolitical rivalry between the USSR and the USA. In 1990, under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, India opened its markets and adopted liberalization, privatization, and globalization to enhance access to global markets. From 1991 to 2014, India’s foreign policy continued to evolve in response to changing global dynamics. Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to project a new global image for India, focusing on pragmatic, achievable foreign policy objectives.
Act East Policy
The Modi government clearly emphasized a shift towards improving relations with ASEAN and East Asian countries, building on the “Look East Policy” initiated in 1992 by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to foster better economic ties with India’s eastern neighbors. Over time, successive governments expanded this policy into a tool for strategic partnerships and security cooperation, particularly with countries like Vietnam and Japan. During her visit to Hanoi, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj advocated for an “Act East Policy,” urging India to take a more proactive role in the region, thereby replacing the more passive “Look East” approach that had been in place for over two decades.
Neighbourhood First Policy
A significant policy initiative by the Modi government was the “Neighbourhood First” strategy, which refocused India’s foreign policy on its immediate South Asian neighbors. This was inspired by the Gujral Doctrine, which emphasized five core principles to guide India’s relationship with its neighbors. Even before becoming Prime Minister, Modi indicated that strengthening ties with South Asian countries would be a priority. Upon assuming office, he invited all heads of state from South Asia to his inauguration and held bilateral talks with each of them, in what was described by the media as a “mini SAARC summit.” Later, Modi proposed the development of a SAARC satellite to share technological advances, such as telemedicine and e-learning, with the region to complement India’s existing Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
Indian Ocean Outreach
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), long seen as India’s maritime backyard, has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, particularly with China’s growing presence in the region. In response to China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative, India began engaging more proactively with its maritime neighbors to strengthen economic and security cooperation. This outreach began during the Sri Lankan president’s visit to New Delhi in February 2015 and was followed by Modi’s three-nation tour to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. Although the Maldives was initially part of this initiative, political instability there led to the cancellation of the planned visit. Ahead of his May 2015 visit to Beijing, Modi sought to assert India’s strategic dominance over the IOR, highlighting the stronger and more cordial relations India shares with its maritime neighbors compared to China, particularly regarding the South China Sea.
Fast Track Diplomacy
The External Affairs Ministry launched the “Fast Track Diplomacy” initiative, showcasing India’s achievements in the foreign policy domain. In her initial media interactions, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj described her tenure as being driven by a proactive, strong, and sensitive approach to diplomacy. As part of this initiative, she held roundtable meetings with Indian heads of missions across the SAARC, ASEAN, and Middle Eastern regions to follow up on high-profile visits and strengthen diplomatic ties with key nations.
India’s Changing Relations with International Communities
Relations with North and South America
United States:
Before the 2014 general elections, there was significant skepticism about the future of India-US relations under Narendra Modi’s leadership, largely due to his denial of a US visa in 2005 during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, owing to concerns over human rights violations. However, sensing Modi’s imminent victory, US Ambassador Nancy Powell reached out to him, signaling a shift in US-India relations. After Modi’s election as Prime Minister, US President Barack Obama congratulated him and invited him to visit the United States. US Secretary of State John Kerry visited New Delhi in August 2014 to lay the groundwork for Modi’s first visit to the US.
In September 2014, Modi made his first official visit to the US, beginning with his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. He also attended a public reception hosted by the Indian-American community at Madison Square Garden in New York before proceeding to Washington, D.C. for bilateral talks with President Obama. During the visit, Modi invited American business leaders to participate in India’s “Make in India” initiative, aimed at making India a global manufacturing hub. Obama later praised Modi as a “Man of Action” during a brief interaction at a gala dinner.
In December 2014, the US Senate confirmed Richard Rahul Verma as the first Indian-American US Ambassador to India, signaling a strengthening of ties between the two nations. Modi also invited Obama to be the chief guest for India’s 66th Republic Day celebrations in January 2015, marking the first time a US president had visited India twice during his tenure. This marked a diplomatic milestone, with the two leaders scheduled to hold back-to-back summits within six months, widely seen as a diplomatic coup for Modi.
Brazil:
During the 6th BRICS summit in Brasilia in July 2014, Modi met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Describing Brazil as a key global partner, Modi highlighted the potential for bilateral cooperation between the two major democracies and emerging economies. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to strengthening each other’s positions in international forums and advancing the interests of the developing world. The two nations agreed to expand trade, investment, and cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, space research, defense, cybersecurity, and environmental conservation.
In January 2020, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro visited India, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The warm reception he received helped improve Brazil’s international standing, particularly after the controversy surrounding the Amazon rainforest wildfires in 2019. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, India and Brazil also launched joint cooperation programs to address the health crisis.
Canada:
In April 2015, Modi visited Canada, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 42 years. A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a nuclear agreement with Cameco, Canada’s largest uranium producer. The $280 million, five-year deal included the supply of 7.1 million pounds of uranium to India to fuel its nuclear reactors. Modi held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and both leaders signed various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering cybersecurity, skill development, and cooperation in the railways and civil aviation sectors.
Modi was greeted with enthusiasm, as over 10,000 people gathered at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto to hear him speak, marking a “rockstar” reception. The visit helped further cement the growing ties between India and Canada.
India’s Relations with the European Union
France:
France is a key strategic partner for India in Western Europe, with both nations investing heavily in strengthening ties across cultural, economic, social, technological, and military spheres. During the 2014 G-20 Summit in Brisbane, Prime Minister Modi met French President François Hollande to discuss bilateral matters, including strategic, space, and defense cooperation, while also committing to global collaboration against terrorism. In the wake of the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo terror attack in Paris, Modi condemned the tragedy and reached out to President Hollande to express India’s condolences and solidarity.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius made several visits to New Delhi to push forward negotiations on the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft deal for the Indian Air Force and the 9900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant, a project to be undertaken by the French company Areva. In April 2015, Modi chose Paris as his first European destination as part of his “Link West” initiative. His visit led to a government-to-government agreement for the purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets in fly-away condition. Additionally, an initial agreement was signed between India’s Nuclear Power Corporation and Areva regarding the Jaitapur nuclear power plant.
Modi also visited the Dassault Aviation assembly facilities in Bordeaux and Airbus in Toulouse, promoting India’s “Make in India” campaign and urging the aerospace giants to explore manufacturing opportunities in India. Airbus committed to increasing its outsourcing from India, with plans to raise the value from $400 million to $2 billion by 2020. During his visit to France, Modi paid tribute at the Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial, which honors the 4,742 British Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I and II.
In November 2015, Modi attended the COP 21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, alongside President Hollande. Both leaders co-invited over 100 world leaders to join the International Solar Alliance (InSPA), a global initiative to promote low-carbon solar energy technologies. When US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the USA from the Climate Change Treaty, India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance was lauded globally. In January 2016, Modi invited President Hollande to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, a rare honor that made France the only country to be invited five times to this prestigious event.
United Kingdom:
UK Prime Minister David Cameron was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Narendra Modi on his election victory in 2014. The two leaders met for the first time during the G20 summit in Brisbane in November 2014, where Cameron emphasized that strengthening relations with India was the UK’s “top priority.” He also invited Modi to visit the UK as soon as possible. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had praised Modi’s election for contributing to the growth of South Asia, particularly in the context of the region’s economic growth.
The UK welcomed Modi’s “Make in India” initiative and expressed interest in investing in Rajasthan. Modi paid a state visit to the UK in late 2015, where he met with Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Cameron. During his visit, Modi addressed a massive rally at Wembley Stadium in north-west London, attended by 60,000 people, mostly of Indian origin. The event underscored the strong ties between India and the UK, with both countries committed to deepening their economic and cultural cooperation.
India’s Relations with Russia
India has maintained a long-standing strategic partnership with Russia for over half a century, with this relationship considered one of the most privileged in India’s foreign policy. However, following the end of the Cold War, the bilateral ties began to experience some strain as India started diversifying its defense procurement beyond a Soviet-dominated framework. Despite these challenges, the partnership has gained renewed strength under the leadership of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, both of whom are seen as strong, influential figures in their respective countries.
During the 20th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) held in New Delhi on 5 November 2014, Modi met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. The Prime Minister reassured the Russian side that his government would continue to place high importance on the time-tested strategic partnership with Russia. The meeting resulted in the identification of new areas for cooperation, including prioritizing the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), initiating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Customs Union, and expanding economic cooperation in sectors such as energy, civil aviation, and diamond trade. There was also a focus on Russia’s involvement in Modi’s smart city project.
In his first meeting with President Putin, Modi emphasized Russia’s key role in India’s foreign policy, famously stating that even a child in India considers Russia its best friend. This initial interaction, which took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil, set the stage for a deeper relationship between the two leaders.
In December 2014, President Putin visited New Delhi for the annual summit, marking his first visit after Modi assumed office. The discussions centered around enhancing trade and energy cooperation, with both sides setting an ambitious target of $30 billion in bilateral trade by 2025, along with an equal level of investment in each other’s economies. In the context of increasing Western sanctions on Russia, Putin had recently signed a $400 billion gas deal with China, which was seen as heavily favoring China. However, India was keen to explore its own energy agreements with Russia.
During the summit, both countries agreed to conduct a joint feasibility study on building a gas pipeline through China. In total, 16 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed across various sectors. Key agreements included long-term oil and gas cooperation between India’s ONGC Videsh and Essar Oil and Russia’s Rosneft and Gazprom. Furthermore, President Putin pledged to install 10 more nuclear reactors over the next 20 years, including additional units at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.
India in Multilateral Engagement
India’s Position in BRICS
In his inaugural speech at the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of unity among the member states—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—drawing upon the ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “the world is one family.” He called for collaborative efforts to tackle global challenges collectively.
India, alongside its BRICS partners, has been working towards establishing a financial institution that would rival the Western-dominated World Bank and IMF, a proposal first made by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the New Delhi summit in 2012. During the 6th BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, held from 14–16 July 2014, the group agreed to create a bank with an initial capital of $100 billion. This bank, named the New Development Bank, was suggested by India. However, despite India’s efforts, the headquarters of the bank was located in Shanghai, China, rather than in New Delhi.
Later, in Brasília, BRICS leaders met with the heads of state or government of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). During this period, the Ministry of External Affairs also added Spanish to its list of official languages, signaling India’s intent to broaden its diplomatic and trade ties beyond Europe, Asia, and the United States, particularly with Latin American nations.
India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a China-backed regional bloc focused on military and energy cooperation, after holding observer status since 2005. India had expressed its desire for full membership for years, and this was finally realized on 9 June 2017, when both India and Pakistan were admitted as full members during the SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
While Russia had long supported India’s membership, China’s reservations had delayed the process. However, during the BRICS summit in Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that China was ready to welcome India, alongside Pakistan, to strengthen the bloc’s efforts to combat Islamic extremism in Central Asia, particularly following NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On 11–12 September, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the SCO summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where India formally submitted its application for full membership. Following this, Chinese officials indicated that India’s membership was likely to be granted. Prime Minister Modi also participated in the heads of government summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, in December.
India in the G-20
The G-20, or Group of 20, is an assembly of the world’s 20 leading economies, both advanced and emerging markets, formed after the 2008 financial crisis to address international financial governance. India, ranking 5th in terms of nominal GDP and boasting the fastest-growing economy, has played a significant role in the G-20 since its inception in 2008.
For the first time in 2014, India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replacing Dr. Manmohan Singh, who had attended all previous summits as the Prime Minister. The 2014 summit, hosted by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, focused on revitalizing fragile global economies, aiming to add $2 trillion to the world economy and achieve a 2% global GDP growth rate over the next five years. While the U.S. focused on climate change and reducing carbon emissions, India aligned with Abbott’s goal of rebooting its own economy and returning to a high growth trajectory.
Prime Minister Modi, having won the largest mandate in India’s history, was one of the most sought-after world leaders at the G-20 summit in Brisbane. The Guardian even referred to him as the G-20’s “political rock star,” noting his immense popularity. Modi’s rapport with the host, Prime Minister Tony Abbott, was notable, as Abbott, meeting Modi for the third time, greeted him with a warm hug—a gesture that drew attention, especially since Abbott didn’t greet long-time friend David Cameron in the same way. During his 10-day trip across three countries, Modi met leaders from 40 nations and visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, a diplomatic effort that was widely termed his “diplomatic juggernaut.”
Conclusion
India’s foreign policy has evolved significantly over the decades, adapting to both changing global dynamics and national priorities. From the early years of non-alignment under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the economic liberalization under P.V. Narasimha Rao in the 1990s, India has continually reshaped its approach to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The rise of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014 marked a new phase, characterized by a more proactive and assertive foreign policy. His leadership has strengthened India’s global presence through initiatives such as the “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First” policies, strategic engagements in the Indian Ocean region, and an emphasis on economic diplomacy.
India’s relationships with major global powers, including the United States, Russia, and the European Union, have evolved, reflecting its growing economic and geopolitical significance. At the same time, India’s engagement in multilateral forums like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the G-20 underscores its increasing role in shaping global governance. While the core principles of India’s foreign policy, such as national interest and strategic autonomy, have remained constant, the methods and areas of focus have adapted to address emerging global challenges.
As India continues to assert itself on the global stage, its foreign policy will remain pivotal in navigating the complexities of international relations, ensuring that the country maintains its position as a key global player in the 21st century.
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