Prof. M. K. Bhat
The flawless foreign policy adopted by the NDA Government in the last one year was not only different in its approach from the earlier policy of UPA Government but also had a tremendous impact on the foreign policies of South Asia . It successfully changed the focus of the countries of South Asia and brought them nearer to each other. Although there was no sound criticism of this policy in the last one year yet the allegation of Prime Minister’s more stay outside or his personal branding seems laughable as people are interested in the outcome rather than getting deluded on flimsy grounds. Those who want to make brownie points by raising unnecessary issues perhaps fail to understand that the world has changed a lot. The external affairs ministry has definitely worked a lot in the previous year to put the things in right perspective.
Foreign policy stands for seeking interest of a country in foreign land in a congenial atmosphere. India’s foreign affairs are closely integrated with the country’s security and developmental priorities. This was very well articulated by Modi Government by balancing relations with both America and China without being a pawn in the hands of America to curtail the outreach of China in Asia Pacific region. India has been in a position to convey that it bears its own opinion regarding things happening in the world and wants peace with neighbors but not at the cost of its security.
The rousing reception by Indian Diaspora, country after country, to Narendra Modi and the subsequent agreements with the respective governments without any compromise on the dignity of the country in itself speaks a lot. It raised the image of India to a higher level in the world. This new euphoria among people of Indian origin or NRIS can be cultivated for the country as China did . The cabinet committee on economic affairs headed by PM has come out with certain relaxations in foreign direct investment norms for NRIs, treating non repartiable investment by them on par with domestic funding. Their investments will not be restricted by sectorial restrictions, limits and approvals .The definition of NRI was expanded to include PIOs and CIOs. These investment concessions along with voting rights can go a long way in attracting this prosperous community, provided a good business environment develops in the country.
In this year we have seen a shift in our foreign policy from non alignment to multi alignment. The former had put us in a state of hibernation for last 67 years and no one was ready to take us seriously, small countries doubted our intensions and big countries took us lightly. There was dismay everywhere a year ago .Today the foreign policy developments have given a new hope and developed positivity. In this year we have seen a shift from Panchsheel to Panchamrit; from undue attention to West to Act East, India’s position on trade facilitation agreement to protect the interests of its poor, to ensure that they have enough to eat, conveyed to the world that it cannot be cowed down by any power in the world.
India today holds a distinct opinion on every issue and has successfully conveyed to the world that it is second to none in upholding the dignity of the country .In other words its moves towards Pakistan and China have emphatically conveyed that there can be no compromise on the safety and security of the country. The things even if adverse can be sorted through dialogue with due respect to each other’s culture civilization and sharing of mutual prosperity can be made possible.
The new foreign policy is focused on improving relations with neighboring countries in South Asia, The invitation to all the Heads of State of the SAARC countries during the swearing in ceremony was a brilliant decision. India went a step further by gifting a satellite, made by ISRO, to the SAARC. Modi’s decision to make Bhutan his first Prime Ministerial foreign trip highlights the importance of the immediate neighborhood in the Indian Foreign Policy. This was followed by civil nuclear cooperation agreement between Srilanka and India, the historic land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, the swift action at the time of Nepal tragedy and first ever visit by any Indian PM to Mangolia. All these steps have instilled confidence in small neighboring countries that India wants friendship with them without interfering in their internal affairs. It has gone a long way in reducing the tension along the line of control and has also curtailed Chinese expansionist approach in South Asia.
There was a drastic change in India’s approach towards China. The trust deficit got replaced by confidence building measures in business, culture and people to people relations without any compromise on the border issue .PM emphatically told China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back on the one hand and with equal ease discussed business with Chinese counterpart. It was for the first time that slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jai were raised in Shinghai on Chinese soil by a strong 8000 Indian diaspora, 24 agreements worth over $10 bn were signed . India gave permission for E visas to Chinese tourists. China showed its inclination for investment in Smart Cities , Railways and Infrastructure etc
The Prime Minister made history by making Mangolia trip – the first ever by any Indian Prime minister. Its location bordering both Russia and China can be of utmost importance for India. Its strategic location can be a befitting answer to Chinese expansionist policy in Srilanka. Mongolia though a small country carries much weight in terms of its natural resources like uranium and other minerals and geographical location.
Korean products like Hyundai, Motors, Samsung electronics and LG etc have become a household name in India .The trade between the two countries is worth $17.57 in 2013.It has got the world’s largest shipbuilding industry, top producers of semi conductors and electronic products .India can take advantage in these areas while as Korea can enjoy a big market, prowess in IT software and hardware, designing, engineering and manufacturing. India’s share in Korean global trade was 0.83% in 2002 which rose to 1.63 % in 2013 .Korean FDI stood at $2.93 bn in 2013 and 88% of it is wholly owned.
Korea transformed its economy in an export driven economy, its GDP has crossed 1 trillion from mere $ 2.3 bn in 1962. India bears adverse terms of trade with both Korea and China .Both countries have shown interest to invest in India. The cultural affinity in these neighboring countries was very well a part of our foreign policy besides developing people to people relations.
In order to be one up India may have to highlight the various issues threatening world peace. It has tried to highlight the threat of terrorism to international peace at various occasions in the last one year.
The new foreign policy has worked strictly as per Panch Amrit consisting of Samman (dignity), Samvad (dialogue) Simridhi (Prosperity), Surakhsha( Security) and Sanskriti & Sabhyata (culture &civilization) and these five lovely words have got good fruits for the country in the last one year.
(The author is Deputy Director (MAIMS) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi)
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