(General Studies II – International Relations section – India and its Neighborhood- Relations. Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.)
- Many analysts have highlighted a perplexing paradox of contemporary foreign policy of India where a globally rising India is also a regionally declining power.
Global Rise of India –
- Over the last two decades, robust economic growth and enhanced military capabilities have marked India’s development. This is evident from performance of defence sector where defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years as compared to FY 2013-14 (Ministry of Defence).
- Participation in global institutions such as the G-20 and Quad has enhanced India’s geopolitical significance. India’s active roles in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation further cements its position on the world stage.
- The strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, pivotal for global strategic stability, sees India at its centre, benefiting from increased international focus, including from the U.S. and its allies, to counterbalance China’s influence.
Regional Decline in South Asia –
- Despite its global stature, India’s regional influence in South Asia has waned compared to its position in the region during the Cold War.
- This is evident from the recent upheavals in India-Maldives relations due to factors like Chinese influence on Maldives domestic politics and other factors.
- Post-U.S. withdrawal from global affairs, China’s rising dominance fills the power vacuum, negatively impacting India’s regional authority.
- India’s significant focus on the Indo-Pacific region might have led to a perceived neglect of immediate regional strategies, affecting its influence in neighbouring countries.
China’s aggressive foreign policy and infrastructure initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative extend its influence across South Asia, positioning it as a formidable regional power. The rise of China in South Asia means that India faces stiff competition for regional dominance, forcing a reassessment of its strategic priorities in the immediate neighbourhood.
Strategic Adjustments for India –
- Revising Regional Approaches: Recognizing the changed geopolitical dynamics, India needs to ‘modernize’ its view of South Asia, focusing on proactive and imaginative policies to address regional challenges.
- Maritime and Continental Strategy: Leveraging maritime strengths to balance continental limitations, including enhancing trade links through agreements with ASEAN and the EU, and promoting Mini lateral groupings in the Indo-Pacific.
- Enhanced Regional Engagement: India should foster closer relations with its neighbours through strategic partnerships that reflect shared interests in the Indo-Pacific, involving countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh in broader regional dialogues.
Ways to improve Strategic Partnerships –
- Cultural Diplomacy: India can utilize its rich cultural heritage and soft power to strengthen ties within South Asia. This can be achieved by promoting Buddhism and the shared cultural festivals which resonate with its neighbours.
- New Diplomatic Ventures: Engaging with external powers not just within the traditional Non-Aligned Movement framework but also through newer platforms like joint naval exercises with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, and intelligence-sharing initiatives.
- Economic Initiatives: Implementing regional economic strategies that include creating free trade areas, enhancing connectivity projects that are sensitive to the needs and sovereignties of neighbouring countries, and tapping into regional funds for development projects.
The dichotomy between India’s global rise and regional decline has profound implications for India’s global aspirations as a country needs to maintain primacy in its periphery to be able to become a pivotal power in international politics, which also aligns with India’s goals of being a net security provider in the Indo-pacific region.
