Nuclear, Engaged, and Non-Aligned

Abstract

When analysed in terms of the exacting norms of international-relations theories such as neo-realism, constructivism and liberalism, India's foreign policy over the past six decades comes across as contradictory and incoherent. These infelicities, internal inconsistencies and sparks of idealism give Indian policy, as a whole, an appearance of a mystical otherness, as distinguished from the hard-nosed realism currently in favour. This article questions this impression of Indian exceptionalism. It attempts to understand its inner logic in terms of an analytical tool box, which combines the key explanatory factors of the leading schools of international politics and adds some further assumptions specific to the Indian context and culture. The article draws on the insights of this hybrid model to examine the evolution of India's foreign policy from Independence to the present day, starting with the foundational years under the stewardship of Jawaharlal Nehru and his successors, the ambivalent relationship with the United States leading to the current nuclear deal. On the basis of the insights gleaned from this retrospective, the article makes a case for a fresh evaluation of the original concept of non-alignment in the light of the state of contemporary international politics, and visualize it as a suitable norm for the orderly conduct of politics in the world we live in.

Primetime narratives on Russia–Ukraine conflict on India's Republic TV

“…India has long been a proponent and practitioner of such a foreign policy and promotes itself as a non-aligned power, also indicative of various dimensions of the country's political, academic and cultural repertoire (Bandyopadhyaya, 2003; Rauch, 2008). However, some scholars point out the inherent contradictions in this position: for example, one scholar describes India's non-alignment policy as ‘contradictory and incoherent’ (Mitra, 2009: 15) as on the one hand, it is the land of figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha, preaching non-violence, on the other, it is a modern nuclear-armed nation state.…”

India’s Foreign Policy during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee

“…Post-Cold War developments such as discriminatory disarmament regimes (such as CTBT and NPT) and the power of globalization driven by neoliberal ideology, where markets determine the outcome, led to many being sceptical about weakening the sovereignty of nation-states. In such a situation, India neither forcefully used the non-alignment strategy in the multilateral institution to advance its goals, such as UN Security Council (UNSC) reform or concern relating to the World Trade Organization, nor did it rely on Russia to meet armament and other issues (Mitra:2009).…”

“…For this, they have to settle disputes peacefully, end terrorism, initiate Kashmir talks, reduce nuclear risk, liberalize trade and visas for deeper cooperation, etc. (Mitra, 2009). To achieve all these objectives, India under Bajpayee initiated the "composite dialogue" process (Hafeez, 2011).…”

Statecraft and Foreign Policy

“…However, the mobilized troops were later recalled without the achievement of any demonstrable goals. This lack of clarity over broader goals has affected perceptions of India's foreign policy (Mitra 2009).…”