Question

Answer the following question in 80 to 100 words:

Explain any two factors influencing Indian foreign policy.

Answer 1

The determinants of factors influencing the foreign policy of India are as follows:

1. Geography: India’s foreign policy has been shaped by its wide coastline to the south, the Himalayan mountain range to the north and northeast, and the Indian Ocean. India’s foreign policy is also influenced by China’s presence along its northern and northeastern borders. South Asia’s unique geography, in which India shares borders with all of its neighbors, has an impact on India’s foreign policy. India’s strategically powerful position in the Indian Ocean allows it to play a key role in the region.
2. History: The local region of India was under British rule, which influenced India's anticolonial and anti-racist programs. Traditional principles such as peaceful coexistence and ancient cultural linkages with West Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia also have an impact on India’s foreign policy.
3. Economy: India followed a non-alignment policy in order to overcome the backwardness and poverty caused by colonial rule. The emphasis was on self-sufficiency, import substitution, and the involvement of public-sector firms. India declined conditional aid. However, these basics shifted in 1991, when India accepted globalisation, privatisation, and liberalisation.
4. Polity: The Council of Ministers determines foreign policy, with Parliament serving as a safeguard. Political leadership has a huge impact on foreign relations. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru shaped foreign policy and was the architect of India’s non-alignment. The Ministry of External Affairs and the National Security Advisor play critical roles in determining foreign policy.
5. International system: During the Cold War, India’s foreign policy was significantly influenced by the bipolar world order. Following the conclusion of the Cold War, major changes occurred. The regional structure, post-Cold War talks with the US, and improved relations between China and Russia all have an impact on India’s foreign policy.