The Re-making of Indian Foreign Policy

Abstract

The article examines the reasons for the absence of effective but informal networks in India that help make and remake a nation’s foreign policy, generate domestic political consensus and win international support. As a rising India reconstructs its foreign policy, a small proto-network that defines its core principles is beginning to emerge. A foreign policy vanguard, however, is no substitute to a more broadly based and deeply rooted structure of decision making. As the new foreign policy network evolves, the International Relations (IR) community can claim its legitimate role in shaping India’s new foreign policy. By shedding its old conformist trap, joining the vigorous public square at home and reconnecting with the world, India’s IR community can set a new foreign policy direction for the nation and offer course corrections when needed.

The Role of the Academia in Foreign Policymaking: International Practices and Perspectives as Lessons for Namibia

“…In India, during the tenure of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Ministers, academics were passive on impacting the foreign policy-making process. Mohan (2009, p. 6) states that Rajiv Gandhi departed from the consensus foreign policy approach on nuclear weapon policy with countries such as China, Israel, Pakistan and the USA, yet academics did not seize the opportunity to undertake empirical enquiries into the new initiatives by Gandhi. He further states that, When the Congress governments in the 1980s were looking for new ideas on foreign policy in order to end India’s growing marginalisation, the conformist academic and media communities were of no great help.…”

Morality Framing in Cross-border Political Issues between Indian and Pakistani Print Media

“…Media organizations, under the dominance of big businesses and political collaborations (Mohan, 2009), design content that keep them run well and get popularity in public at the same time. Thus, it is not only the pressure of the government that they have to endure but also the public demand, which is immensely large and diversified.…”