Some conceptual underpinnings of Indian foreign policy today By TCA Raghavan synoptic overview of Indian Foreign Policy from the perspective of early A2019 throws up some broad concep- tual themes: neighborhood first; balancing the continental and the maritime; balancing regional and extra regional powers; consol- idating a favorable external environment for domestic economic growth and safeguard- ing national security. This cocktail of priori- ties is not substantively new in themselves but each of its themes constantly acquires new characteristics. The recent context to our neighborhood policy comes from an energized electoral cycle. In South Asia a principal axis of change over the past two years was elec- tions. Elections led to new governments in Nepal in Nov-Dec 2017, Pakistan (July, 2018), Maldives (September, 2018) and Bhutan (October, 2018). In each case elec- toral verdicts were unambiguous - this Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, late former Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj trend most strikingly demonstrated in and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hold hands. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump. Bangladesh (December, 2018) in favor of the existing ruling party. situation erodes normal function of institu- over a decade ago. In 2018 the judiciary STEC and the expanded ASEAN mecha- and all the Gulf countries. The contrast 2019 may also see Presidential elections tions and prevents stability is the obvious however appeared bent on being an active nisms and summit processes alongside between the two littorals is however con- in Afghanistan and in Sri Lanka. takeaway. and somewhat partisan player in the politi- strong bilateral relationships are institutions siderable. While on the east, these are Continuation of the same trends as else- Alongside the election cycle another cal milee as it unseated a prime minister that sustain a web of interactions. The other frameworks such as BIMSTEC, the ASEAN where in South Asia would be to the advan- institutional factor was that of the judicial and then effectively kept him out of the poll flank comprises the littoral of the Arabian and all its ASEAN plus mechanisms that tage of the region as a whole and certainly process playing a major role. In both Sri process. Sea and is a region no less vital for us in work towards stability, on the west there be a factor in facilitating strong relations Lanka and Maldives the Supreme Courts Expanding the lens to include the sub- terms of trade, investment, remittances and are none. Intra GCC tensions, rivalries with with India. The frailties of the election took firm stands based on constitutional continent’s flanks on the east and the west finally as a source of hydrocarbons and a Iran and poor US-Iran relations are there- process were however also evident in norms and provisions. A contrarian trend shows a considerable contrast. Our Act East place of employment for large numbers of fore factors that mean balancing by India Afghanistan where results of the was however visible in Pakistan. Its Policy looks at South East and East Asia Indians. As is the case of south east Asia between different interests is a much more Parliamentary election held in October 2018 Judiciary and legal fraternity had been a and provides a conceptual underpinning for and the Bay of Bengal littoral countries, we delicate and sensitive process. are still trickling in. How much the security strong protagonist of democratic norms just our bilateral and regional initiatives. BIM- have strong bilateral relationships with Iran Continued on Page 2 Message of HE K Jeeva Sagar, Ambassador of India to Kuwait n this very special and joyous success of our strong democratic occasion of the 72nd systems and institutions. For this OAnniversary of Independence continued success, we owe a great of India, it is my honor and privilege deal to our founding fathers for the to extend Warm Greetings and Best most prized national inheritance in Wishes to my fellow countrymen and the form of a single, monumental women in Kuwait. I would also like to document - the Indian Constitution. take this opportunity to express my Our Constitution, which is widely deep appreciation and profound acclaimed as one of the finest in the gratitude to all well-wishers and world, is an expression of the princi- friends of India in Kuwait, particularly ples and values we have committed to the leadership, the people and the ourselves to; an eternal fountain of Government of Kuwait, for their wisdom and guidance; a fundamen- steadfast commitment to the close tal source of the law of the land and and friendly relations between India the power of its people; and an and Kuwait. HE K Jeeva Sagar encapsulation of the essence of our I would like to reiterate that nationhood. Government of India reciprocates Rapid technological changes are this commitment and is keen to further strengthen and reshaping today’s world at a pace hitherto unseen in expand this mutually enriching relationship. Strong, human history, thereby challenging the conventional multi-faceted bilateral relations between our two societal notions. In these uncertain times, we, the friendly countries are rooted in history and nurtured People of India, have the historic responsibility to by civilization linkages and people-to-people affinities. shape the vision of an India for the future, of a New Presence of a large number of Indians in this friendly, India that adapts to the needs of the time but remains peace-loving and vibrant nation of Kuwait is a testi- wedded to the roots of our Constitution - which guar- mony to the enduring spirit of cooperation and under- antees a pluralistic and inclusive society and celebrates standing that exists between the two countries and its our diversity in its myriad splendid forms. peoples. I am quite confident that my dear Indian citi- Friends, this year, we saw yet another historic first zens in Kuwait will continue to uphold high ideals, val- with the successful launch of a Mission to Moon ues and standards here in Kuwait, abide by its laws (Chandrayaan 2). This is a reinforcement of the techno- and regulations and exert their utmost efforts in con- logical strides made by India not only in the field of tributing towards the economic development of this Space science but in every other scientific domain. friendly host country of Kuwait. This should hold us in good stead for assuming a lead- This year, we complete 72 years of our ership position in many other new age industries like Independence. It is not just another anniversary year, it Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, Big Data, is another significant milestone in the process of nation 3D Printing, Virtual Reality and Robotics. Indians all building, given the extraordinary circumstances in over the world can rightly take pride in our achieve- which we achieved our freedom. Through painstaking ments that span each and every sector and dimension. efforts of millions of people and selfless sacrifices by Amidst global slowdown, India continues to remain several leaders over decades, we have forged a robust one of the fastest growing major economies in the nation with strong and vibrant democratic traditions. world making commendable progress in all areas of India of today is a nation that inspires other nations development. Our economy, which is already the sixth across the world, and is now widely seen as a beacon largest in the world (3rd largest on purchasing power of stability and prosperity in increasingly uncertain basis), has now reached approximately US$2.7 trillion times. This success of ours is not a result of an accident in size and is well on its way to reach US$3.0 trillion in of history. Ours is a story of triumph of our collective the current year, and it is well within our reach to cross human spirit - of hope, of devotion, of hard work, of the US$ 5 trillion mark in a few years. dedication to not only the well-being of the people of To fasten the pace of development, our government our nation but also to the larger cause of humanity; is continuing to undertake many structural reforms. this is the pledge we (and our forefathers) made to Whilst rolling out several transformational reforms in ourselves long years ago. My dear fellow citizens, we the economy, the Government has also ensured welfare must not rest on our laurels but continue to move of the common citizens by continued investments in ahead together in a determined way in this glorious physical and social infrastructure, provision of public journey of ours and with greater intensity and speed to utilities, extension of social safety measures, financial redeem our pledge. inclusion and job creation in small and medium firms. Despite the pulls and pressures from various quar- To top it all, we are doing it in an environmentally sus- ters, our democracy continues to thrive and amaze. tainable manner. In fact, India has taken the lead in Just a few months ago, we celebrated our democracy terms of its commitment towards a greener sustainable and further deepened its roots by organizing the feature by co-founding the International Solar Alliance largest electoral exercise in the world. Voter turnout at (ISA), a global alliance of more than 120 countries for the recent general elections in India was the highest in development and promotion of solar energy. its recorded history; which is another testimony to the Continued on Page 2 2 neously balancing the maritime and continental domains Some conceptual may well prove to be the litmus test for Indian foreign Message of HE K Jeeva Sagar.... policy in the future. Balancing between major powers is not a new chal- Continued from Page 1 eral commerce exchanges further, the Indian Embassy underpinnings..