SESSION V

PURSUING MULTI-ALIGNMENT:
INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY AMIDST CONTESTATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

In a multi-polar world, exertion of India's sphere of influence has an immediate causal relationship with its identification of international challenges and economic prospects, and its flexibility in responding to a variety of situations. India's determination to go beyond an inward-looking approach, to adoption of more outward multi-alignment based measures in security, management of the global commons, and trade is of paramount importance.

For India, "moving from past dogmatic approaches" in foreign policy, and "taking risks is inherent to the realization of ambitions" - S. Jai shankar (2019). With the demise of a unipolar world order and the emergence of multipolarity, India saw benefits in working with different nations on a variety of issues. This resulted in India's state of play positing the US and China as significant actors in the strategic and economic domain while holding Russia at a new vantage point considering its strategic presence in Eurasia.

India's recognition of issue-based arrangements in a converging international order resulted in its diplomatic engagements with the US on the US-India Nuclear deal, and its stance against the Taliban in Afghanistan. India renewed partner ships with Russia in the defence and trade sector while rebuilding BRICS into a major forum, and improved trade ties with China while endorsing climate change negotiations. Moreover, a departure from the traditional foreign policy dogmas has seen new diplomatic collaborations in the form of the Quad ( Japan, Australia, India and the United States ), the RIC (Russia-India-China) forum, and the JAI ( Japan- America-India) groupings.

In the security domain, India is a major nuclear power, currently fostering a civil nuclear cooperation with the US, China and other countries of the NSG. The security policy under the India-EU-Agenda for Act ion 2020 al so highlighted Indian commitment to counter-terrorism, cyber security and threats to mari time security. In this regard, harnessing the powerful Franco- British alignment in defence is an as set for India. During the virtual summit held in July 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for "action- oriented" agenda and also promoted India-EU partnerships in "economic reconstruction and in building a human-centric globalization." Further, India's renewed foreign policy push in the Islamic world is viewed from its balance of three poles of power- Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

India's out reach to fight terror in Saudi Arabia and UAE, fostering of defence and technological partner ships with Israel, protection of Chabahar investments in Tehran amidst the American pressure- reiterates India's focus on peace in West Asia.

Interlinked with security, India's commitment towards the management of global commons can be seen through its interests in the Indo-Pacific (IP), Indian Ocean Region (IOR), preservation of human rights, and in becoming an active member of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. India's mari time strategy and increased over seas investment and trade in the IP has seen mari time exchanges between the ASEAN countries and the Pacific Island Countries-striking a fair balance between its "Look West" and "Act East" policy. Further, in the IOR, New Delhi has spelt out its blue economy objectives in keeping with its Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine.

Finally, pursuing multi-alignment in the economic space is critical for India's growth, and it must look at alternative economic par tnerships while stepping up its role with existing partners. India is the largest arms importer in the world with most of its defence equipment and weaponry coming from Russia, followed by cooperation in the hydrocarbons and energy sector. The relevance of the US and Europe in technology transfer and supply of high-tech-military equipment is also vital in India's defence trade. Further, Indian oil and energy demands have increased over seas investments in the Gulf-Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and in Latin America-Venezuela, Brazil and Panama. India's large-scale investments in national development and private sector trade in Africa, and increased support for trade and migration with the SAARC countries, explicates India's South-South cooperation objectives. From among the G20 countries, the UK is the largest investor in India. The post-Brexit scenario and its implications on mutual investments of the two countries therefore become an important element of introspection for India's foreign policy.

The future of Indian foreign policy, therefore, needs to look "globally" and act "locally", in order to assert itself as a regional and a global power, in a competing and converging world order.

AGENDA

DAY II
FRIDAY 30 APRIL 2021 | 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

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