Foreign policy is an instrument available to a nation by which it promotes its national and security interests.India's foreign policy has undergone a paradigm shift since its independence from British rule in 1947.Also,there has been a sea change in our relations with the first world,second world and third world countries with its impressive economic growth in recent decades.
Gone are the days when we were following an isolationist foreign policy in 1950s .India emerged out of decades of colonial rule in 1947 but quickly found itself in tangles of cold war,which made it necessary to adopt a foreign policy based on non-alignment.This was perhaps a wise decision based on the prevailing geo-political situation.The immediate aim of India was to eradicate poverty and hunger as well as to become self-sufficient which could have been possible through the nature of foreign policy adopted at that time.
With the fall of Berlin wall and India's transition towards globalisation and liberalisation in 1990s.the global geo-political scenario underwent a profound change.India could no longer afford to remain isolated so as to achieve growth and prosperity.Also with the rise of Asian tigers and emerging economies like India and China,India had to shed its inflexibility and blind-patriotism in multi-polar,multi-interest world.India thus followed an open approach in foreign policy.The increasing focus on look-east policy and growing inter-linkages with western nations is a testimony to the fact.
Another important aspect has been India's efforts towards becoming a regional leader among the South-Asian nations.However,at times India erred on its sense of judgement by trying to impose upon its neighbors by adopting a big-brotherly attitude rather than a true guiding spirit.Therefore,the neighboring nations occasionally followed an obstructionist approach so as to halt India's influence.India has been trying to shed its negative image and follow an all-inclusive model thus taking our neighbors along in the path of development.
India can prosper well in foreign-policy domain only when it creates an atmosphere of trust among other neighboring countries.New age foreign policy must be based as much on enlightened self-interest as on pragmatism.India must be open and tolerant and at the same time have the ability to build bridges,reach out and leave the past behind.
Gone are the days when we were following an isolationist foreign policy in 1950s .India emerged out of decades of colonial rule in 1947 but quickly found itself in tangles of cold war,which made it necessary to adopt a foreign policy based on non-alignment.This was perhaps a wise decision based on the prevailing geo-political situation.The immediate aim of India was to eradicate poverty and hunger as well as to become self-sufficient which could have been possible through the nature of foreign policy adopted at that time.With the fall of Berlin wall and India's transition towards globalisation and liberalisation in 1990s.the global geo-political scenario underwent a profound change.India could no longer afford to remain isolated so as to achieve growth and prosperity.Also with the rise of Asian tigers and emerging economies like India and China,India had to shed its inflexibility and blind-patriotism in multi-polar,multi-interest world.India thus followed an open approach in foreign policy.The increasing focus on look-east policy and growing inter-linkages with western nations is a testimony to the fact.
Another important aspect has been India's efforts towards becoming a regional leader among the South-Asian nations.However,at times India erred on its sense of judgement by trying to impose upon its neighbors by adopting a big-brotherly attitude rather than a true guiding spirit.Therefore,the neighboring nations occasionally followed an obstructionist approach so as to halt India's influence.India has been trying to shed its negative image and follow an all-inclusive model thus taking our neighbors along in the path of development.
India can prosper well in foreign-policy domain only when it creates an atmosphere of trust among other neighboring countries.New age foreign policy must be based as much on enlightened self-interest as on pragmatism.India must be open and tolerant and at the same time have the ability to build bridges,reach out and leave the past behind.
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