Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Briefly describe policy of Non alignment and its context.
• Talk about the historical stand India has taken over the years.
• Mention what led to the recent shift in the policy.
• Give examples showing change not country specific – having broad contours.
• Conclude by giving India’s balanced approach.

Introduction

Non Alignment –its context

• Policy of Non-alignment had its genesis in the backdrop of cold war, where U.S. and USSR signified 2 power blocs of the era.
• India’s Non alignment was about not joining any of the bloc and taking a balanced approach.
• Term coined by V.K. Menon in 1953 and was popularized by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• It was to enable the domestic transformation of India from a poor and backward society and steer it away from any major global crisis.

Body

The term ‘hesitancy of history’ was used by ex-US president Barack Obama in 2015 when India moved towards US overlooking its traditional partner Russia.  

• India has always had closer ties with USSR sharing a time tested friendship.
• Principles of social justice, equality and human dignity were borrowed from socialist model of USSR. Early nationalist leaders related more to soviet ideology.
• India also shared close diplomatic strategic and trade ties with USSR.
• Treaty of friendship with USSR in 1971, country’s largest arm supplier.

However scenario has significantly changed since the disintegration of USSR in 1991 and emergence of multiple power dynamics.

• Economic needs of the fast developing India had to be supported by opening of its economy and getting more foreign assistance.
• World that emerged post soviet era saw the rise of US as both an economic and strategic power. It was difficult to pursue India’s growth trajectory without engaging with US.
• India signed a nuclear deal with US in 2008.
• India today is a signatory to 3 of 4 US foundational agreements that it signs with its strategic defence partners that is LEMOA, COMACASA and GSOMIA.
• US recently changed the name of its Pacific command to Indo-Pacific command.
• Globalization, growing interdependence, and the emergence of transnational challenges have pushed India to engage with multiple global partners.
• Emergence of economic powerhouse in form of China has also posed a new challenge in front of India.

Departure of stance not only limited to US.

• India today has vibrant relations with Israel which were earlier marred with Palestinian considerations.
• India’s traditional stance has always been of recognition of Arab rights of Palestine and limited relations with Israel.
• India is a member of QUAD which partners Japan, US, Australia and India. It looks to further Indian interest in pacific region creating a major power bloc in the region.
• India is also member of major groupings such as BRICS, ASEAN and BIMSTEC etc. emphasizing Indian engagement in multiple global fronts.

Conclusion

• It would not be right to call it departure from india’s policy of Non alignment.

• Indo-US trade dispute in WTO, India’s largest arms deal with Russia (S-400 ), Indian purchase of oil from Iran even when US has imposed CAATSA on both of these nations.

• Indian considerations in foreign relations are driven by their own strategic autonomy.
• Indian foreign policy is evolving to encompass the growing needs of its national security and prosperity.
• However Non alignment being India’s own brainchild it is unlikely that it will not be a part of India’s near future foreign policy.