{"id":114676,"date":"2024-06-17T19:24:12","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T13:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=114676"},"modified":"2024-06-18T13:08:34","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T07:38:34","slug":"challenges-and-opportunities-of-indias-foreign-policy","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/challenges-and-opportunities-of-indias-foreign-policy","title":{"rendered":"A Look At Challenges And Opportunities Of India\u2019s Foreign Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s foreign policy is at <\/span><b>an interesting juncture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As per experts, a <\/span><b>coalition government in India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the first time in 10 years, may not prove to be a roadblock in meeting the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/foreign-policy-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>foreign policy<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">challenges India faces.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.2%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>Challenges with Coalition Government to Carry Out Foreign Policies<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Implementation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A strong leader, with unwavering political backing, could affect better foreign policy outcomes than a weak coalition government.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Dependency: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coalition governments in general struggle to make strong foreign policy choices due to competing interests and coalition dynamics, which can preoccupy the government thereby limiting the time and patience required for major foreign policy initiatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Negotiations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also believed that a single-party government can negotiate better with foreign counterparts or withstand any external pressure more effectively than a coalition government.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Continuation of Policies: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With <\/span><b>no change at the top at the Ministry of External Affairs,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a <\/span><b>broad continuity is indicated.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> However, there will be some calibration and re-setting of the agenda for specific regions, <\/span><b>depending on the changing global situation and Indian strategic imperatives.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Guest at G7 Summit:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India has been a guest country in <\/span><b>50th Group of Seven (G7) Summit, reflecting its rising global stature and the recognition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of its role as a major economic and geopolitical actor.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-114728 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/183-6671195e4d0ff.webp\" alt=\"Foreign Policy\" width=\"550\" height=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/183-6671195e4d0ff.webp 547w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/183-6671195e4d0ff-223x300.webp 223w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations With the Neighbourhood<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Neighborhood First- Invitation in Swearing-in-Ceremony: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The neighbourhood continues to be priority number one. Top South Asian leaders attended the oath ceremony, reflecting the government&#8217;s commitment to<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/neighbourhood-first-policy-nfp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Neighbourhood First policy<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> attended the swearing-in of the new government. <\/span><b>However, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar were not invited.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> visit of Maldives President,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who rode to power on an \u201cIndia Out\u201d plank, was especially significant.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Change Observed:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Unlike earlier, there was <\/span><b>no substantive bilateral meeting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with any neighbourhood leader.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Earlier in the 2014<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> swearing-in ceremony, <\/span><b>India had invited the leaders of<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/saarc-safta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>SAARC countries<\/b><\/a><b>, including the Prime Minister of Pakistan.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Significance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s<\/span><b> great strengths lie in its culture, people, and geography.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If India aims to emerge as a leading world power, it must use the<\/span><b> &#8216;Neighbourhood First\u2019 policy or the \u2018Act East\u2019 policy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Actions Required:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Diplomacy can pay long-lasting dividends only when it is <\/span><b>supported by its national culture and interests. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has turned several of its weaknesses into strengths in the last few years. <\/span><b>Deeper engagement with sub-national states <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is yet to see much progress.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India will have to be <\/span><b>nimble in its diplomacy and be unilaterally generous <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without insisting on reciprocity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Several neighbours look forward to a restrained and sensitive Indian Foreign Policies.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.1%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>Relations with Neighborhood Countries<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Constraint Relations with Pakistan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s engagement with Pakistan went through ups and downs in 2014 and 2015, before being wrecked by the<\/span><b> terrorist attacks in Pathankot and Uri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, the <\/span><b>Pulwama attack and Balakot strikes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fuelled nationalist sentiment in India. But ties with Pakistan suffered a grievous setback.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>constitutional changes in J&#038;K <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in August 2019 was the final blow that led to the downgrading of the diplomatic relationship.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>series of terror attacks in J&#038;K over the last few days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have put paid to any potential build-up of public opinion in favour of a possible engagement.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Challenging Internal Situation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Currently, Pakistan is mired in <\/span><b>economic instability,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making it difficult for any peace talks to occur. Additionally, there is the perennial question of whom to engage with\u2014the <\/span><b>elected political leadership or the military.<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is well-known that <\/span><b>Pakistan&#8217;s policy towards India is formulated by its military,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leading some analysts to advocate for direct dialogue with the military.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>India\u2019s Stand: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has been unequivocal in its stance that <\/span><b>Pakistan must renounce terrorism before any dialogue can commence.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Low-level Engagement with Afghanistan: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is <\/span><b>no diplomatic relationship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since the<\/span><b> Taliban captured power in August 2021.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>India\u2019s Stand: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is <\/span><b>low-level engagement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through a technical team assigned to help in <\/span><b>humanitarian aid, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">but high-level engagement has been ruled out for now. A working relationship is likely to continue.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Challenging Scenario in Myanmar: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The challenge has been to engage with the<\/span><b> junta government <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that has been preoccupied with armed resistance internally.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Myanmarese government forces have been on the defensive since the fighting began in October 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>India\u2019s Stand: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the possibility of the government\u2019s collapse, India should start engaging with the opposition groups.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Progressive Relations with Maldives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After India replaced military personnel manning Indian air assets in Maldives with trained technical personnel as requested by the Maldivian government, both countries have appeared ready to engage.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently,<\/span><b> India extended $50 million <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in budgetary assistance to the Maldives.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Mutually Beneficial Relations with Bangladesh: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campaign rhetoric about \u201cinfiltrators\u201d is a concerning issue. Water-sharing of the Teesta River remains a contentious issue.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater restraint from members of the government and the ruling party is likely to be beneficial, since both sides have<\/span><b> a common purpose in countering extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Strategic Relation with Bhutan: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has been ready to support Bhutan with assistance in its <\/span><b>five-year plan, a financial stimulus package, and the Gelephu <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mindfulness city project.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>India\u2019s Stand: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This aid is expected to continue, especially since China is trying to negotiate the border with Bhutan on its own terms.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Delicate Relations with Nepal: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ties with Nepal present a delicate challenge. China has a strong political footprint in Nepal, and the Nepalese government is perceived to be trying to use the China card against India.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>India\u2019s Stand: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India will have to work hard to regain the trust of the Nepali people that took a blow after the economic blockade of 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>The China Challenge: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> border standoff is about to enter its fifth year,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the task before the new government is difficult and knotty.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has maintained that<\/span><b> all cannot be well until the border situation becomes normal.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Expectations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India wants complete disengagement and then de-escalation, and it will take a lot of time to move heavy troops and weapons away from both sides.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>High-level engagements,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> especially the Indian PM\u2019s meeting with the Chinese President in Kazakhstan in the first week of July on the sidelines of the SCO summit, may hold potential for an unlock.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Goodwill Relations with Sri Lanka: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goodwill gained by India on the Sri Lankan street after helping out with the island nation\u2019s financial crisis was jeopardised by the <\/span><b>Katchatheevu island issue.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Strengthening the Sri Lankan economy with financial assistance as well as investments will be a key task ahead.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Relations with Seychelles &#038; Mauritius: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s plans to help <\/span><b>upgrade ports infrastructure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in these countries is part of its <\/span><b>maritime diplomacy and security effort.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some success has been achieved at <\/span><b>Agalega Islands in Mauritius,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but developing <\/span><b>Assumption Island in Seychelles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has presented a challenge.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations With the Western Countries<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Strong Ties: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The present government\u2019s engagement with the West has been <\/span><b>more transactional<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than several previous governments. It has also <\/span><b>developed strong strategic ties with the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>India-US Partnership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It will <\/span><b>certainly witness a new phase of the relationship.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India needs higher <\/span><b>foreign investments and technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the US.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s ambition is to become self-reliant in the semiconductor industry. A <\/span><b>deepening partnership with the US means higher American investment in the technology areas.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist <\/span><b>Gurpatwant Singh Pannun<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has been <\/span><b>a major sore point <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the West, which views India as a democratic, rule-of-law-abiding partner.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>visit of the US National Security Advisor will test the strength of Indo-US diplomatic ties,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and perhaps indicate a path to unlocking this issue.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Ties With European Countries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Economic and political ties with European countries such as France and Germany have <\/span><b>improved, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and the UK has been keen to conclude a<\/span><b> Free Trade Agreement (FTA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with India.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India and the EU too are keen to conclude <\/span><b>an FTA to the mutual benefit of their economies.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Concerning Ties with Canada: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada accused India of having a hand in the murder of another Khalistani separatist and <\/span><b>political relations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are likely to <\/span><b>remain strained<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at least until the Canadian elections of 2025.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>However, economic ties and student flows to Canada have not been impacted.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expectations:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Western Countries: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The West would like India to be less thin-skinned about criticism and comments, and be <\/span><b>ready to engage and do business<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ideal scenario would be<\/span><b> to secure Indian interests and benefit from Western capital and technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Indian PM\u2019s engagements at the G7 in Italy might signal steps in this direction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations With Russia<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ukraine Episode: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s ties with Russia are<\/span><b> being tested <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by the war in Ukraine. India has dependency on Russia\u2019s defence items and technology and the availability of cheaper oil.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russia is India\u2019s new source of energy. <\/span><b>Projects like INSTC or Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hold immense potential for transforming the partnership with Russia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Russia has not collapsed under Western sanctions,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and it is now widely seen as having the upper hand in the war.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Next Action: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and UAE were among countries participating at the Peace Conference on Peace for Ukraine but did not sign a final communique.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is expected to<\/span><b> emphasise on dialogue and diplomacy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations With Latin American Countries<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This region is significant for India in order to achieve its global ambitions such as pursuing <\/span><b>permanent membership of the UNSC, the NSG and at various other negotiations like climate change, terrorism, trade, etc.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations With Africa<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realizing the importance of this region, India enabled the joining of the<\/span><b> African Union in the G20.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India is <\/span><b>one the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India also <\/span><b>extends grants and aid for the development <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of African Nations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>High Stakes in Middle East<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>The Middle East<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a political term that has changed many times depending on political and historical context while <\/span><b>West Asia is a geographical term with more consistency.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Consistent &#038; Progressive Relations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the last 10 years, India <\/span><b>built ties with countries and leaders<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the region, from Saudi Arabia to Israel, UAE to Iran, Qatar to Egypt.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>India will continue to work to ensure security and political balances <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the Middle East and elsewhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scope:<\/b> <b>Energy security, investments, and the 9-million-strong Indian diaspora <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the region have been the major stakes for India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Significance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Middle East remained the mainstay of India\u2019s foreign policy, <\/span><b>offering both economic gains and geostrategic dividends.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the Red Sea attacks and blocking of the Suez Canal are heavily impacting India\u2019s trade. Undoubtedly, <\/span><b>peace in the Middle East is crucial for India\u2019s trade and connectivity.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Relations with Various Grouping<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/india-middle-east-europe-imec\/#:~:text=affecting%20India&#039;s%20interests.-,What%20is%20IMEC%20Corridor%3F,connecting%20the%20Gulf%20to%20Europe.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)<\/b><\/a><b>, I2U2, International North South Transit Corridor (INSTC): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are all thought to be game changers, but the Israel-Hamas conflict has introduced uncertainty.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The IMEC is a viable alternative to avoid the Bab El-Mandeb strait,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which is a major chokepoint for maritime traffic and India will ensure speedy development of the IMEC corridor.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Push for Indo-Pacific Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Indo-Pacific partnership will <\/span><b>continue to flourish.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s IPOI (Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative) will gain greater attention and gas expectations for several new activities. Today, more than 12 countries are partners in the IPOI.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If India\u2019s vision of the Indo-Pacific to succeed, the IPOI must gain some credible momentum. India will <\/span><b>continue actively participating in the IPEF and US-led Indo-Pacific programmes keeping the ASEAN centrality intact.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/association-of-southeast-asian-nation-asean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renewed partnership with ASEAN, <\/span><b>India\u2019s land and maritime neighbour, and also Japan, Korea and Australia <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will garner long-lasting strength in the strategic leadership.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has to<\/span><b> deeply watch and act on the broader geopolitical developments,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including US\u2013China rivalry.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Act East Policy (AEP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The year 2024 demarcates the <\/span><b>tenth anniversary year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the AEP.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AEP, which <\/span><b>replaced the Look East Policy (LEP) in 2014,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has <\/span><b>laid the foundations for India\u2019s engagements with the East.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>For its next phase, a new AEP agenda must come<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the initial months of the Indian PM\u2019s third term.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The Act East policy seeks to strengthen India&#8217;s economic and strategic ties with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-notes\/bay-of-bengal-initiative-for-multi-sectoral-technical-and-economic-cooperation-bimstec\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> BIMSTEC is going to observe a higher pace, the Charter is already in place. Members are interested in deepening the relationship.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sixth BIMSTEC Summit is going to take place in Bangkok in September 2024. The BIMSTEC is <\/span><b>likely to induct three new members (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Others:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/v\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SAARC <\/span><b>requires gradual reactivation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provided India-Pakistan relations become normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>BRICS or IBSA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dealing with the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/the-global-south\/#:~:text=Global%20South%20refers%20to%20various,the%20Soviet%20Union%20in%201991.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Global South<\/b><\/a><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India continues to drive developing countries interests through the BRICS or IBSA.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"3\"><b>It would be of great achievement if India ensured entry into the UN Security Council as a permanent member.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Trade and Economic Partnerships<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Free trade Agreement (FTA): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTAs are<\/span><b> important for India to raise exports, attract FDI, and secure valuable technologies.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India will<\/span><b> continue with new FTAs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and would like to conclude the one with the UK, the EU, Bangladesh, among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100.3%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>A free trade agreement <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or treaty is an agreement according to international law to form a free-trade area between the cooperating states.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides,<\/span><b> a review of FTAs such as with ASEAN<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is likely to be concluded.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is <\/span><b>becoming increasingly integrated with neighbouring countries and regions. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bilateral partnerships with Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mauritius, Oman, Tanzania, Singapore, etc. will continue to thrive.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India might opt for <\/span><b>more bilateral strategic partnerships and services-led FTA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as with the Philippines.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bilateral FTAs <\/span><b>with Middle East Countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as the<\/span><b> India-UAE CEPA, and initiatives like I2U2 or the IMEC <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are going to play a larger role in securing India\u2019s strategic interests on the Western front.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Now countries are more interested in trade agreements in the areas of digital economy and e-commerce.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Russia, and China are the countries with which India does not have any FTA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whereas India heavily depends on them for security and economic reasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Collaboration with Private Sector<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>To Ensure Multiple Objectives:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s foreign office will have to collaborate with India\u2019s thriving private sector while ensuring India\u2019s strategic and economic objectives.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Arenas: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More and more public-private partnerships are likely to unfold in the coming days in the areas of physical and digital connectivity, space and under-sea explorations, science and technology cooperation, etc.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is <\/span><b>an opportunity for the newly formed government that should not miss.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Importance of India\u2019s Foreign Relations<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>To Achieve the Target: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While \u2018Vishwa Bandhu\u2019 (India) is aiming for Viksit Bhart in the next 25 years, deepening global partnership would help achieve the <\/span><b>US$ 5 trillion <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economy which will further strengthen the foundations for<\/span><b> 2047.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>For Better Global Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In a multipolar world, <\/span><b>India\u2019s strategic autonomy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a network of strategic partnerships will be central in the path towards better global governance. <\/span><b>India needs the world, and the world needs India.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>To Play Significant Roles: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the <\/span><b>fastest-growing major economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>fifth-largest GDP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> globally, India\u2019s priority is rapid economic development. The growth in capacity and capability is coupled with a willingness to play her due<\/span><b> role in regional and global affairs.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is known for its rules-based institutions globally and continues to <\/span><b>play a larger role in the global arena.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>To Focus on Contemporary Issues:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s leadership on global issues in this uncertain situation has been welcomed by all partners. However, specifics such as <\/span><b>climate change, reforms of multilateral organisations, energy and food security, taming inflation, etc. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">need careful handling.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian PM\u2019s third term may be termed as <\/span><b>\u201cSabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Sabka Samman\u201d.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To achieve the best of the potential, India needs to <\/span><b>focus on the governance reforms in MEA-aided organisations, strengthening state capacity, new and reformed knowledge centers, and setting up centres of excellence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the maritime front.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.128%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 138.033%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Must Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Editorials<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.4978%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.4978%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.4978%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Test Series 2024<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.4978%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Main Answer Writing<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 138.033%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India\u2019s foreign policy is at an interesting juncture. As per experts, a coalition government in India for the first time in 10 years, may not prove to be a roadblock in meeting the foreign policy challenges India faces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":114757,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2102],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/114676"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114676"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/114676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114737,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/114676\/revisions\/114737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114676"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=114676"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=114676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}