The Cold War is considered to have ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its conclusion was a watershed moment in international politics, as the analysis of global affairs from the Second World War until 1991 had been framed almost exclusively within the context of the Cold War. The end of the Cold War ushered in several new trends in international politics—such as the growth of globalization under the aegis of neoliberalism, the emergence of a US-led unipolar order, unprecedented advancements in communication technology, and the rise of new regions like Central Asia.
These changes influenced the domestic and foreign policies of nations across the globe, including India. Domestically, India sought to integrate its economy with the global economy by adopting a policy of economic liberalization in 1991. This shift has also left its mark on India’s foreign policy.
In the new international landscape of the post-Cold War era, the following changes are evident in India’s foreign policy:
1. Incorporation of Pragmatism: India’s foreign policy has moved away from being driven by ideology to becoming increasingly pragmatic. The development of a strategic partnership between India and the US in the post-Cold War era stands as a testament to this pragmatism; in contrast, relations between the two nations during the Cold War were often strained by ideological tensions. Similarly, maintaining normal relations with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and the military government in Myanmar reflects the pragmatic nature of India’s current foreign policy.
2. Emphasis on Economic Diplomacy: Economic diplomacy has become a cornerstone of foreign policy for nations worldwide, including India. In this context, India is focusing heavily on promoting foreign trade and investment, free trade agreements, access to advanced technology and critical minerals, and enhancing the resilience of global supply chains. India has also involved states and local governments in the implementation of its economic diplomacy. This is known as paradiplomacy. Partnerships between Indian states and foreign states, as well as ‘sister city’ initiatives, are outcomes of this practice.
3. Public Diplomacy: Public diplomacy relates to India’s efforts to garner support for its policies in other countries and to strengthen its soft power. To this end, India established a Public Diplomacy Division within the Ministry of External Affairs in 2006. India is striving to enhance its soft power by leveraging its rich heritage and democratic values.
4. New Initiatives in Foreign Policy – India has expanded the scope of its foreign policy into certain new regions of the world, such as Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Northern Europe (Nordic countries). Key policy initiatives undertaken by India in the post-Cold War era include the following:
a. ‘Look East’ Policy (1991), which has been known as the ‘Act East’ Policy since 2014. Its objective is to strengthen strategic and economic ties with East Asian nations.
b. ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy (2014), which emphasizes the development of relations with neighboring countries.
c. ‘Think West’ Policy (gaining greater momentum after 2016), which focuses on enhancing partnerships with countries in West Asia (Israel and Arab nations).
d. ‘Connect Central Asia’ Initiative (2012), through which India has sought to revitalize its relations with the five nations of Central Asia.
e. Additionally, India has launched new diplomatic initiatives such as the India-Africa Forum Summit to boost development partnerships with African nations, and the Nordic Summit to engage with Northern European countries.
5. India as an Emerging Global Power: Due to rapid economic growth and heightened diplomatic activity in the post-Cold War era, India is currently counted among the emerging global powers. India has been staking its claim for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council since 1992. As the world’s fourth-largest economy, India is a member of major global forums such as the G-20, BRICS, and the Quad, and plays a significant role in various global dialogues. Now India is going for multi-alignment in place of non-alignment; which suits India’s diversifying interests and emerging powers status.
Image Courtesy: Organiser
Continuity in India’s Foreign Policy
These changes do not imply that India’s foreign policy in the post-Cold War era is entirely new; elements of continuity persist across several foreign policy principles. Some examples are as follows:
1. As in the past, India continues to believe in United Nations principles such as the sovereign equality of nations and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
2. India prioritizes the interests of the Global South and South-South cooperation. This policy has been an integral part of India’s stance on non-alignment since the Cold War era. The Global South was formerly referred to as the ‘Third World’.
3. India’s current policy of strategic autonomy is essentially a modern iteration of the policy of non-alignment. The core element of both is the freedom to conduct foreign policy independently on crucial matters.
The aforementioned examples demonstrate that while India’s policy has undergone fundamental changes in the post-Cold War era, elements of continuity remain evident.
India’s Multi-alignment Dilemma. Image Courtesy: Spykman Centre
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