India's Foreign Policy under PM Modi: Pragmatic and Muscular! Prof. Sudhanshu Tripatbi

Indian Prime Minister s call for apartheid, non-interference into internal affairs of India to become a respected and responsible another country etc .. Indeed; these goals were leading power in the world and consequent reasonably and deliberately decided by the founder decision-making exercise to revamp its foreign architect and first Prime Minister of independent India policy manifests the country s rising profile as Late Jawahar Lal Nehru with a view to emphasise well as its newly acquired self-confidence before upon the significance of these ideals for laying the the comity of nations as to how the top Indian foundation of permanent peace and non-violence in political leadership conceives of the country S the then world, already tom apart by two World Wars. capability to play its decisive role in international In fact Nehru, even prior to independence, being relations and }>'orld affairs. Vice-Chairman of the Interim-Council arid while delivering his speech to the nation, had boldly Introduction announced over All India Radio on T" September In fact, the foreign policy of a country happens to be 1946, the future course of independent India's role a well-planned, consistent, predetermined and in the world affairs which clearly established that calculated statement of its goals and objectives and independent India would keep away from the their priorities and also about the methodology that struggle-oriented bloc-politics rivalry having been set the country shall use with a view to realize them. It into motion by the then emerged two rival ideological is in this context, any assessment or review of India's camps, capitalism and communism, led by the USA foreign policywhile considering the circumstances and the erstwhile USSR respectively, against the in which it evolved in a particular direction must also backdrop of intensifying Cold War power-politics that consider the structural challenges and their historical began immediately after the end of the second-World settings that considerably impact the forward progress War. As a renowned scholar Prof. Bimal Prasad says or otherwise of the same (country's foreign policy). that even Nehru did not begin from scratch, so the Although there 'happen to be several other inputs present PM Narendra Modi, too, began with the known as internal factors like national history and country's ancient moral cultural ethos -and long historical traditions, geography, national character, established socio-cultural legacy which have also national economy, consensus on national goals, been carried over so far, by the earlier Prime military preparedness etc. as well as external factors Ministers of India too with a view to lay a solid like global or regional scenario, international hierarchy, foundation ofIndia which might emerge as a strong global economy and many more, altogether called and respectable nation in the global comity of nations. as internal or external milieus, which demand serious It is in this context the Indian foreign policy under attention of the supreme decision making body or the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the chief executive of the country to realise its foreign adopted a new approach, dynamism and consequent policy goals yet they require well planned strategy thrust to revisit the potential features of India as a as well to harness and channelize these inputs so as strong nation so as to present a new, dynamic, to obtain the best possible results for the success of energetic and high-profile foreign policy before the the same ie. foreign policy of the country. As obvious international community which is based upon realism in this context, the new Indian Prime Minister yet not ignoring idealism which lays stress upon peace, Narendra Modi began his inning expressing his firm friendship and cooperation and also upon other commitment to the proclaimed obj ectives ofIndia's universal moral or ethical values. As PM Modi firmly foreign policy viz, peace, non-violence, non- believes if there is peace in the world, there will be alignment, anti-colonialism, anti-racialism, anti- growth, friendship & solidarity, equity,justice, well- 32 World Focus November 2018 being & progress and also overall development in is highly disturbing for New Delhi particularly due to the interest of all nations and also that of the entire the US' ongoing inconsistent foreign policy practice humanity. But all these possible accomplishments to under President Trump as regards India and Pakistan be achieved for the country's foreign policy do and also due to Russia's increasing military require to consider the structural challenges and their cooperation with Pakistan. Lastly, the paper. historical settings ill the internal as well as the extemal concludes in favour of continuing with the pragmatic milieus S0 as properly evolve a realist vision and approach for the country's foreign policy with a view pragmatic approach attached to the India's foreign to establish and project India as a responsible, policy which, therefore may never fail in its effort respected and a leading power in the world. because being based upon adhocism or solely upon idealism. Obviously that demands a brief review of Post- Cold War scenario the post-Cold War global scenario which, in fact, But the compulsions of the global scenario, that outlines the reasons behind the consequent emerged after the end of Cold War since the compulsions as well as the constraints before India beginning of the 1990s, witnessing the disintegration which led to cause the maj or changes even of the erstwhile USSR; demise of the WARSAW fundamental alterations in its foreign policy. Pact; collapse of Berlin Wall and unification of two Germany: sudden rise of terrorism and non-state This article is concerned with the evolving actors etc., tumultuous and turbulent times in realism in India's foreign policy under the regime of international relations wherein the USA had moved Prime Minister Narendra Modi which aims as ahead from its erstwhile 'Super Power status to pursuing pragmatic and muscular approach, as occupy the global centre-stage as the first Hyper already well-practised by in the form of Power- controlling even the ideas of people in the surgical strikes into Pakistan occupied Kashmir world with a view to shape them into a particular (PoK) against the backdrop of Pakistan instigated direction which suits to its national interests- and cross-border terror strike on the Army Base Camp therebypaving way for the emergence of the unipolar in Uri in Jammu on l S'" September, 2016 and that world order, as against the bi-polar world order having was recognized by the whole world with curiosity the then USSR as a counter-pole as well as an and dismay and even appreciation and independent bloc of communist countries that came encouragement as well. While presenting a brief into existence immediately after the second-World overview of the post-Cold War scenario the paper War, categorically demanded India's inclination discusses the consistently rising India's stature and towards Washington so that its (India) national so-evolving foreign policy, and also about those interests may be protected and secured. It was not compulsions which compelled India to make a shift that the erstwhile USSR had disintegrated to become into the ongoing course of the foreign policy from obsolete and redundant for India which all along had pro-Soviet Union stance to the USA in the then extended its categorical support to New Delhi in its emerged post-Cold War unipolar world order at the all critical and crucial moments, weather it was in, end of 1990. The next part discusses those unique the United Nations or in the Indo-Pak wars, features about India which justify to the country's particularly of 1971. The fact of the matter was that claim for its legitimate place in different important the USSR was not that much powerful and influential and powerful groups in the world, including permanent enough where it would be able to challenge and seat in the UN Security Council. Afterwards, the counter-balance the US hegemony as a counter pole article analyses the clear necessity of the US for in the world politics, as it had been doing well in the securing strength and power for overall unity and aftermath of the second-World War during the fierce integrity of the country, particularly after the demise cold war years of international politics and relations. of the USSR as a Super Power. Then it emphasizes Although, while that unique role of the then USSR upon the creation of an effective and powerful had put a consistent and effective check on the US structure for India's security vis-a-vis the newly waywardness characterised by military interventions established Sino-Pakistan unholy alliance for and neo-imperialism and the current ongoing policy containing India's meteoric rise in the world, which of cultural imperialism particularly as regards its

India's Foreign Policy under PM Modi:Pragmatic and Muscular! 33 . .• policy of containing the rising USSR's sphere of Indeed, India is a rising power not only in influence, on the one hand, it had also caused to Asia but also in the whole world given its specific establish and maintain an effective balance of power attributes in terms of its ancient culture and (sic. balance of terror) in the post-second World War classical moral and spiritual tradition and also the nuclear powered international order marked by bi- so-evolved rich cultural heritage. In the present polarity and bitter Cold War between them, on the ongoing era of eastward shifting geo-politics the other. In such a tense and horrible global environment importance of Asia is rising due to some of the of bloc power rivalry the entire world was put at prominent member countries in the East like China ransom to the Super Power schism and the poor, and India besides Southeast Asian nations like under-developed and developing countries spread Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong etc. Obviously over -in the continents of Asia, Africa and Latin as Asia is passing through hectic resurgence to America were the worst sufferers as they were put considerable impact in the entire world due to hectically engaged into their national reconstruction remarkable successes achieved by some of its efforts after the collapse of centuries of colonialism member counties, particularly China and India due in these parts of the world. In fact, the so-discussed to their own strength like, vast geographical scenarios in international relations present the context expanse, huge population, booming economy, well as well asjhe necessity of the gradual emergence of qualified and trained man power, amazing military realism in India's foreign policy and that needs to be power and such other attributes, the consequent properly discussed as well as analysed for conceptual regional scenario has already resulted into a major clarity of the structural constrains and their historical change signifying a shift in the global centre of contexts. power which for the past more than two and a half centuries had been lying in Euro-Atlantic Realism in international relations & India's region. Evidently this global shift has resulted into rising potential a major change undoing the earlier unjust, selfish In fact, the realism also called as, is an approach to and unethical trends in the then prevailing world international relations and also international politics politics which were mostly based upon pressurising as well that puts emphasis upon the competitive and the emerging states of the Third World to fall in conflict related or struggle based aspects in the line of the erstwhile dominant hegemonic world international arena. In fact, the realists consider states powers like the US, UK, France and also the as the principal actors which are primarily concerned erstwhile USSR. In such a challenging scenario with their own security besides being concerned with independent minded and nonaligned countries like their national interests and struggle for power. With India and many other countries in the Third World, this approach in hand, PM Modi had meticulously . found it difficult to succeed and realise to observe chalked out his government priorities in the interest their independence and the so-desired right to self- of the country as regards India's foreign policy determination. This is so because India, on the one immediately after he assumed office as he soon hand, always desired its own rightful place to play realized the importance and necessity of the United a leading role in the world affairs in terms of the states of America, while not ignoring India's positions of honour and respect in the global traditional and unfailing friendship with the successor community of nations considering its significant Russia of the erstwhile USSR, in the prevailing achievements after independence in 1947 and also scenario of world politics and affairs with a view to the visible promising 'potential for' growth and accomplish the said goals of the country's foreign development in different fields of human policy not only in the interest of India but also of the endeavour besides consistently expanding clout in whole world. Besides these, he also focussed on the all over the world as a peace loving, non-violent hitherto a bit neglected issue of improving the military and also that of spiritual-metaphysical likings and power of India by forging close relations with the also consistently working hard for realising the possible weapons supplier countries like the US, accompanying economic and so accrued other France, England, Israel and also the successor benefits like membership in various prominent Russia. multilateral and global institutions including

34 World Focus November 2018 permanent seat in the UN Security Council, on state of the art R&D facility, advanced industries the other. and heavy units, powerful army and also being a founder member of the largest global movement of Evolving realist approach in India's foreign humanity, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) etc., policy it (India) very well deserves to be recognised as an What is most important aspect of the realist approach emerging global power and, consequently, be awarded is perhaps a serious effort towards evolving a new with the suitable and responsible role in all significant culture - strategic culture - of insisting and asserting and important intemational and global forums including for accomplishing national interests anyhow, even the United Nations (UN), so that it may, while pursuing a muscular foreign policy which all countries working in consonance with its ancient cultural ethos, like the US, UK, Russia, Israel, China and even contribute its best for establishing peace, prosperity smaller powers always do practise in their national and security in the whole world, ensuring overall interests but unfortunately India repeatedly practiced progress and welfare of the entire humanity, which restraints and resorted to soft pedalling particularly has been suffering for long from the worst-ever and since independence and that, in fact, has created an macabre threats of terrorism and religious impression about it as being a weak, non-reacting fundamentalism and such other explosive dangers and confidence-lacking nation always ready to like fear of nuclear War, natural calamities, fearful succumb to all kinds ofspressures and coercions by epidemics etc.. Though the global power -system must all other countries in the world. Further this consider India's rising clout of influence in the world unfortunate situation led to cause confusions and but New Delhi must come forward to prove the merit directionless-ness in the actual operation of the of its claim for getting accorded the status that it country's foreign policy so far and has also put a desires which Late Mrs. proved during stumbling-bloc in the formation of institutions of in the liberation of Bangladesh and consequent Indo- experts for serious and meaningful discussions so as Pak war of 1971. The world then came to know that to arrive at the best possible choice for preparing India's policy of non-alignment is not simply begging inputs for the final decision making ie non before others with folded hand, instead it stands for institutionalisation of India's foreign policy. Thus if bold assertions with pursuing meaningful actions by this vision of PM Modi fmally takes root, perhaps itself for protecting and preserving its national the most important immediate change having taken interests against all odds arid challenges like the then place would be the imbuing of self-assurance within emerged hostile Super and major power alliance viz. the Indian polity and its leaders, its elites as well as Washington-Beijing-Islamabad axis. Since then India army, police and para-military forces. And that could never come to its own glorious past despite appears to have emerged to a considerable extent severely suffering from Pakistan's sponsored decades particularly after the successful surgical operation of massive onslaughts of cross-border terror and also by Indian army against terrorist's hideout inside PoK from China's consistent intrusion into India's territory in 2016 and the careful handling of Doklam crisis without any bold and assertive counter-offensives. vis-a-vis China in 2017, besides Indian leadership's Thus so-emerged lackadaisical approach in the assertions on important issues pertaining to human country's foreign policy and inconsistent diplomacy welfare like nuclear proliferation and environmental after Late Indira Gandhi put India into poor light and concerns or such other common concerns and that led to arouse an image of soft power which is carrying them over successfully in terms of policy unable to stand on its own to pursue its national decisions during such discussions in many of the interests. Obviously, this US led western countries regional or global fora. agenda to dilute and ultimately kill the inherent power of-the doctrine of the non-alignment at the demise of As India being a largest successful and the Cold War in 1990 provided an opportunity to them vibrant democracy in the world having billions of as well China and Pakistan to subdue the rising people consisting of world class intellectuals and influence of India forever. That endeavour was professionals in each area of knowledge and working, indeed a vicious trap unleashed by the western powers' skilled labourers, booming economy and markets, headed by the US to entrap India in such a way so

India's Foreign Policy under PM Modi:Pragmatic and Muscular! 35 that it may never be able to assert of its own for its besides bearing the brunt of many worst terror attacks own genuine rights and claims and so-formulated like Bombay Stock Exchange, 26111 in , national interests, because its self-propounded Banglore Bakery attack, Delhi High Court etc. and doctrine of non-alignment and so designed foreign also facing routine terror-strikes particularly after policy was its real strength, rooted in eternal and India's successful surgical strike into PoK, like immutable moral values and was beyond any kind of burning of schools in Jammu and Kashmir, violation challenge from any comer of the world. In fact, the of ceasefire along LOC every-day, killing many brave cultural strength of India still continues to haunt the soldiers of the country. US lest New Delhi may overshadow the entire world through its unique moral-cultural power. This is why Effective architecture for national security: the US President Trump has just asked the Russia Hence, India needs a very strong and effective President Putin to immediately stop the ongoing security architecture for its national security as well . military cooperation with India. Notwithstanding these as regional one against cross-border terror and other American arrogance and anti-Indian stance, New global terrorism, which very much require the close .Delhi has no option but to seek support and monitoring and information sharing at regional and cooperation from the US, given the brute power- global level regarding movement of terrorists and based hierarchical and vicious international system their future targets so that any likely terror strike in and India's economic and technological constraints the country may be prevented, besides sincerely and compulsions of preserving its national security pursuing effective short -term and long-term measures vis-a-vis mounting threat due to increasing Sino-Pak against terrorism along-with invoking diplomatic collusion and also due to the rising threat of macabre efforts towards isolating all terrorists, terror-networks ISIS terror menace including global terrorism and and their sponsoring nations. In this endeavour, the religious fundamentalism operating against the support of the US and few advanced western country. countries like Russia, England, France arid-also Israel will definitely be very meaningful. With this view in India's necessity hand, India had already joined the US sponsored As obvious that it is India's necessity to maintain Kicklighter agreement quite earlier which led to good relations with the US for some time, even if eruption of harsh criticism of the country's increasing one sided it may be, as it cannot effectively maintain inclination towards America. Afterwards, India its national security and cannot fulfill its long concluded the Civil Nuclear Deal with the US in cherished dream to become a permanent member in 2008, which opened a new era of strategic partnership the Security Council of the United Nations without with Washington, despite few odds regarding sellers' Washington's express consent in its favour along- liability issue. ill the then emerged scenario, India with the four other permanent Security Council even ignored one of its most trusted-friend, Russia members and also in other prominent groupings like which compelled Moscow to befriend Pakistan with G-7, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a view to maintain its sphere of influence in South Nuclear Suppliers Groups (NSG) etc .. India also Asia and other adjoining areas. With India's increasing needs the American support not only for modem inclination towards America and consequent technology, advanced military weapons and other distancing with Russia and PM Modi's skipping the economic gains but also for exerting pressure on 2016 11h NAM Summit at Margarita in Venezuela several terror-outfits having global outreach like did create a serious confusion about India's real Islamic State (ISIS), Jaish-e Muhammad (J-e-M), intentions whether India had really abandoned its Hijb-ul-Mujahideen (H-ul-M), Haqqani terror much cherished doctrine of the non-alignment, networks, Hafiz Sayeed's terror organisation and also whereof it is the widely-acclaimed progenitor. Though to put an iron nand upon Pakistan to stop exporting India under PM Modi acted 'enthusiastically for cross-border terror into India. In fact, India is one forging close relations with the US in economic, among the worst sufferers of terrorism which has security, technological and other strategic fields, and already lost its two very promising prime ministers in also made significant compromises in its long held the past, Late Indira Gandhi and Late Rajiv Gandhi, ideals and goals with a view to accommodate the

36 World Focus November 2018 .' American priorities and concerns and also to has prompted it to adopt other crooked tactics while consolidate its newly established relations, but the helping Pakistan with a view to encircle India. US always played double game with the India's Obviously New Delhi is faced with grave challenges concerns by creating a working balance with Pakistan to its national security given the presence of enemy on the one hand and China on the other and has, so nations both on its northern as well as western front. far, never categorically supported New Delhi on Hence it has to suitably modify its foreign policy either of its most pressing concerns viz. permanent orientation towards realism so that India may emerge membership in the UNSC and its fight against as a strong and powerful nation. Pakistan sponsored cross-border terrorism and containing China's aggressive-militarist assertions in Conclusion' Asia-Pacific-particularly in South China Sea- in the Thus India, while pursuing realist approach. in its interest of India and other littoral states of Indian foreign policy in a pragmatic way, aims at realising Ocean Rim and the entire Indo-Pacific region. its national interests in all circumstances, even Hence, India has no option but to modify its ongoing resorting to muscular tactics if the need so arises. pro-US foreign policy towards muscular pragmatism Now India under PM Modi wishes to assert and so as to preserve and protect its desired national project itself as a responsible and leading power interests. This is why, India has again turned towards capable enough to diminish or even remove the ill- Russia to befriend President Putin once again with effects of the structural constraints and also their firm and solemn resolve.to reinvigorate their mutual historical overhangs restraining the onward course friendly relations. This will really provide a fresh blood ofthe country's foreign policy in the desired direction. to India's hitherto neglected and sagging relations Evidently the direction is towards protecting India's with Moscow. Considering the prevailing challenges national security and other national interests, defined after India's successful surgical strike into PoK, which according to its own priorities, and also to occupy a has shattered Pakistan's morale and also that of the place in the comity of sovereign nations with all terrorists housed therein, Islamabad appears hell-bent exuberance and confidence like any respected and to stage massive retaliation to belittle and tear-apart a leading global power. It is in this context, Prime India and in this effort China's full-fledged support Minister Narendra Modi's invocation, and the to Pakistan is highly worrisome for New Delhi. resultant politico-administrative exercise to revitalise Further, the anti-Indian vicious and jealous role of and reinvigorate India's foreign policy, for his country China, as evident in the earlier BRICS summit in to become a leading power in the world manifests Goa where Beijing virtually stalled India's sincere the country's rising profile as well as its newly efforts for elimination of terrorism, including cross- acquired self-confidence before the international border terror supported by Pakistan on the ground community as to how the top Indian political that any country's name should not be associated leadership conceives of its role in international politics with terrorism and also that one must not forget the and world affairs. Obviously such a massive great sacrifices rendered by Islamabad for the noble overhauling of the country's foreign policy during the cause of the global fight against terror. Further, China past four years has already shown the desired results blocked India's effort to name Maulana Masood as regards India's rising profile throughout the world. Azhar as a terrorist by the United Nations and also In fact, PM Modi has shown to the world that all expressed its ambivalence for India's candidature for hardships and impediments can be overcome by firm permanent membership in the UN Security Council. commitment and honest effort that he has been Indeed, all these Sino-Pakistani overtures portend practising under his stewardship of the nation thereby bad omen for the peace and security of not only India upholding a dictum that nothing is beyond human and South Asia but for the entire Indo-Pacific region endeavour. wherein China is very much interested with a view to annex the entire South China Sea into its maritime References: territory, though that has already been rejected by Bakshi, G.D. Maj Gen (2013), "The country comes first - always and every lime", Defence and Security Alert, New Delhi, Vol. 4, Issue 6, March International Court of Arbitration at the Hague. ThIS 2013, P 1. legal defeat has made Beijing very aggressive and Baru, Sanjaya (2006), "Strategic consequences of India's economic performance ", New Delhi; Academic foundation. India's Foreign Policy under PM Modi:Pragmatic and Muscular! 37