From Great Powers To Asia – India Is Raising Its Diplomatic Game

Context:

India’s recent engagements with great powers like the United States and France, as well as its efforts to strengthen relations in the Asian neighborhood, demonstrate a significant shift in its foreign policy approach. 

India’s Foreign Policy Post Independence: 

• Diverse Approach to Great Powers and Neighborhood: India’s approach to its Asian neighborhood and great powers was separate based on the belief that major powers should be kept out of the region to create an “area of peace” in Asia. 
• Refraining From Military-Strategic Cooperation: India’s policy was based on the absence of foreign military bases on national soil, which meant refraining from deep military-strategic cooperation with major powers. 
• Non Alignment: India’s adherence to unrealistic principles of regional security within NAM and G-77 forums, coupled with third-world economic radicalism, distanced it from the practical realities in Asia.

Evolution/Current foreign policy approach being followed by India:

• Active Engagement with regional powers and great powers: India’s new foreign policy strategy emphasizes active engagement with both great powers and regional partners to pursue its interests and contribute to regional stability and prosperity
• Strategic engagement with neighbors: Regional engagement with different parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean has become a higher priority, and India is emphasizing trade, investment, and connectivity with its neglected neighboring countries in Asia.
• Alliance with Russia and China: Breaking away from traditional practices, India forged alliances with major powers, such as Moscow, through the Russia-India-China (RIC) forum and later via the BRICS grouping. 
• Balancing US and China: India challenged the separation of regional and global affairs by seeking membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an organization promoted by Russia and China to counterbalance the influence of the US in their sphere of influence.
• Strategic alliance with Western powers: India embraced the Indo-Pacific framework and the Quad.
• Cooperation with West Asia: To the West, India joined Israel, UAE, and the US to launch the I2U2 forum. 
• Integrated Approach: India now adopts an integrated approach to its interests and pursues them through various forums that intersect and complement one another. 

Conclusion: 

• India recognizes the importance of managing the intersection between great power rivalries and regional geopolitics. This recognition has led India to invest in continuous efforts to enhance its presence and influence in its neighborhood.

News Source: Indian Express 

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