Gujral Doctrine of Foreign Policy | 05 Dec 2023

Source: IE

Why in the News?

Recently, the 11^th death anniversary of the precursor of Gujral doctrine, IK Gujaral, the 12^th Prime Minister of India has been marked on November 30.

• He is the only Prime Minister with a foreign policy approach identified with his name the Gujral Doctrine.

Who is Inder Kumar Gujaral?

• Inder Kumar Gujral was sworn in as the 12^th Prime Minister of India from April 1997 to May 1998.
• IK Gujral can be remembered for two significant contributions to Indian foreign policy:
  • He propounded the 'Gujral doctrine' when he was the Union minister of External Affairs from 1996 to 1997.
  • Despite international pressure, Gujral firmly refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in October 1996.

What is the Gujral Doctrine?

• The Gujral doctrine delineated its approach towards India’s neighbors, which later came to be known as the Gujral Doctrine. This consisted of five basic principles. It was outlined at a speech in Chatham House in London in September 1996.
• The five basic principles of Gujral Doctrine:
  • India, surrounded by neighbors such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, doesn't seek reciprocity but instead offers assistance wholeheartedly, guided by goodwill and trust.
  • South Asian nations won't tolerate the use of their territory to harm the interests of another country in the region.
  • None will interfere in the internal affairs of another.
  • All South Asian Countries must respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • Nations will settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations,”.
• The Gujral Doctrine believed that India's significant size and population naturally positioned it as a key player in South East Asia.
• To enhance its standing and reputation, the doctrine advocated adopting a non-dominant approach towards smaller neighboring countries. It, thus, recognises the supreme importance of friendly, cordial relations with neighbors.
• It also stressed the significance of maintaining ongoing dialogue and refraining from unnecessary provocations, such as commenting on the internal affairs of other nations.

How Successful was the Gujral Doctrine?

• Gujral’s approach to foreign policy helped strengthen trust and cooperation in India’s neighborhood.
• The Water-Sharing Treaty, 1977 between India and Bangladesh expired in 1988, and negotiations failed due to inflexibility on both sides. The resolution of the water-sharing dispute with Bangladesh came in just three months in 1996-97.
• India obtained Bhutanese approval for a canal project to increase water flow to the Ganga.
• This almost coincided with the treaty with Nepal for taming the Mahakali river for the generation of hydel power.
• It was followed by agreements with Sri Lanka for expanding development cooperation.
• Also, it led to the starting of composite dialogue with Pakistan.
  • The composite dialogue was based on the principle that entire spectrums of relationships came under sincere problem-solving dialogues.
  • Cooperation must begin on agreed terms in agreed areas (trade, travel, culture etc.) even as certain disputes remain unresolved.

What are the Criticism of Gujral Doctrine?

• Lenient approach toward Pakistan: Gujral doctrine was criticized for going too soft on Pakistan, and leaving India vulnerable to the threats of the future, including the many terror attacks.
• Security Concerns: It was perceived by some as being too idealistic and neglecting India's security concerns. Critics argued that the doctrine did not adequately address the security challenges posed by some of India's neighbors, especially in the context of historical conflicts and ongoing geopolitical issues.
• Failure to Address Bilateral Issues: The Gujral Doctrine did not effectively address long standing bilateral issues between India and its neighbors. For example, issues like territorial disputes, and cross-border terrorism were not given sufficient attention according to some critics.
• Domestic Opposition: Some argued that the emphasis on goodwill and non-reciprocity might be perceived as weakness and could be exploited by adversaries.

Way Forward

• Balancing Idealism and Realism: Future foreign policies should strike a balance between idealistic principles and realistic assessments of security challenges. Ensuring national security should be a paramount consideration.
• Comprehensive Conflict Resolution: Addressing unresolved bilateral issues with neighbors requires a comprehensive and proactive approach. Dialogue must encompass territorial disputes and security concerns.
• Adapting to Evolving Threats: Recognizing the evolving nature of security threats, future doctrines should incorporate strategies to counter terrorism and ensure the safety of the nation.
• Strengthening Regional Alliances: Building on the positive aspects of the Gujral Doctrine, India should continue strengthening regional alliances and cooperation for mutual benefit.
• Public Diplomacy and Domestic Consensus: In crafting foreign policies, fostering domestic consensus is crucial. Public diplomacy efforts can help in conveying the rationale behind diplomatic decisions, mitigating potential domestic opposition.