Question

Answer the following question in 150 to 200 words with reference to the given points:

Explain in detail the factors influencing Indian foreign policy.

1. Geography
2. History
3. Economy
4. Polity
5. International System

Answer 1

An important objective of Indian foreign policy is to maintain international peace and security. It has been incorporated as a directive principle of state policy in Part IV, Article 51 of the Constitution of India, which states that the Government of India shall strive for the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security since independence. India aspired to emerge as a major power and play an influential role in international politics.

1. Geography: Its vast coastline in the South and the presence of Himalayan mountain ranges to the north and the northeast have shaped India’s perspective of foreign and security policy. Similarly, the presence of a large country like China across almost the entire north and northeastern border also affects India’s foreign policy.
2. History: This includes the impact of India’s traditional cultural values, such as peace and co-existence. It also includes the influence of historical cultural ties with the neighbouring civilisations in West, Central and Southeast Asia on India’s foreign policy. Some of the basic values of Indian foreign policy like anti-colonialism and anti-racialism were laid during the freedom struggle.
3. Economy: The policy of Non-Alignment has a political, economic and strategic context. There was a strong urge to come out of poverty and backwardness that had emerged from the colonial period. India refused to accept financial aid from various donor countries, if it came with conditions unacceptable to India. The policy of import-substitution and giving importance to public sector enterprises had a tremendous impact on India’s foreign policy
4. Polity: The Executive organ of Government plays an important role in making and implementing the foreign policy in India. Parliament plays the role of watchdog. Political leadership makes significant impact on foreign relations of India. Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi have played a decisive role in determining the foreign policy of India
5. International System: During the Cold War, the bipolar system and super power politics had impacted the foreign policy of India. Similarly, there were major changes in Indian foreign policy when the Cold War ended. Besides the international system, the regional system has also made a deep impact on India’s foreign policy.