Indian foreign policy has been influenced by a wide range of factors, including historical experiences, economic imperatives, security concerns, and regional dynamics. Among these, political parties have played a crucial role in shaping India’s foreign policy. While the country’s foreign policy has traditionally been formulated by the Executive Branch, primarily the Prime Minister, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and various other departments, political parties—especially those that form the government—have left their imprint on how India interacts with the world. The influence of political ideologies, party leadership, and party priorities significantly impacts India’s diplomatic and international engagements. This essay will explore the different ways political parties have influenced India’s foreign policy, with particular focus on party ideologies, leadership styles, and political considerations.
4.1. The Nehruvian Legacy and the Congress Party
The Congress Party, under Jawaharlal Nehru, played a pivotal role in shaping India’s foreign policy in the early years of independence. Nehru’s vision for India’s foreign policy was driven by principles of non-alignment, anti-colonialism, and internationalism. He sought to position India as a leader of newly independent nations in the global South and played a central role in the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Nehru’s approach to foreign policy emphasized the need for India to maintain an independent stance, avoiding alignment with either of the Cold War blocs led by the United States or the Soviet Union. India’s emphasis on peaceful coexistence, disarmament, and international cooperation were central to Nehru’s foreign policy agenda. The Congress Party, even after Nehru’s tenure, largely adhered to these principles, although over time, the party adapted its foreign policy to suit changing global dynamics, such as the India-Pakistan conflict and the emerging global economic order.
For much of India’s post-independence history, the Congress Party dominated Indian politics, and its foreign policy initiatives remained consistent with Nehru’s values. However, there were shifts in strategy, particularly during Indira Gandhi’s tenure, when India’s foreign policy became more assertive, particularly during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, and India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, signaling a shift towards more self-reliant and pragmatic foreign diplomacy.
4.2. The BJP and Its Ideological Influence
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004) and Narendra Modi (2014-present), has also shaped India’s foreign policy, though in a manner distinctly different from the Congress. The BJP’s ideological roots are in the Hindutva movement, which emphasizes Indian cultural nationalism and the restoration of India’s historical strength and influence in the world.
The BJP’s approach to foreign policy under Vajpayee saw India’s nuclear policy take center stage with the 1998 nuclear tests. The BJP government was instrumental in asserting India’s nuclear weapons status and focused on improving relations with the United States, despite international pressure and sanctions. The BJP also maintained a firm stance on India-Pakistan relations, emphasizing national security and territorial integrity.
Under Narendra Modi, the BJP’s foreign policy has seen significant shifts. Modi’s government has focused on promoting India as a rising global power with a robust economic and military presence. Modi’s foreign policy initiatives include the Act East Policy, aimed at deepening India’s relations with Southeast Asia, and the Neighbourhood First Policy, which emphasizes stronger ties with India’s immediate neighbors in South Asia. The BJP also places a strong emphasis on strengthening India’s relationship with global powers like the United States, Russia, Israel, and Japan.
At the same time, Modi’s government has been criticized for adopting a more nationalist tone in foreign policy, particularly concerning Pakistan and China. The government’s approach has been to confront security challenges head-on, as seen in the 2016 surgical strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, demonstrating the influence of the BJP’s political ideology on its foreign policy decisions.
4.3. Coalition Governments and Their Impact on Foreign Policy
India’s foreign policy is also shaped by the influence of coalition governments. In a parliamentary democracy like India’s, coalition governments often come into power, particularly since the 1990s, when the Congress Party’s dominance began to wane. These coalition governments are often composed of multiple parties with differing views on foreign policy, leading to adjustments and compromises.
For instance, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, led by the Congress Party from 2004 to 2014, was in power during a transformative period in Indian foreign policy, which saw significant strides in India-US relations. The 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal, which was a major policy achievement of the UPA government, reflected a pragmatic approach that balanced India’s energy needs with its desire for enhanced global standing. While the deal was welcomed by India, it also faced opposition from some coalition partners, like the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who expressed concerns about India’s sovereignty and its non-alignment policy.
Coalition governments often need to negotiate foreign policy positions to maintain internal consensus, which can result in a more moderate approach in certain areas, especially where national security and economic interests are at stake. While foreign policy is typically the domain of the executive, coalition politics often compel the government to consider the views of coalition partners, which can lead to a more balanced and nuanced foreign policy approach.
4.4. The Role of Regional and State Parties
Regional and state parties, while not directly responsible for foreign policy formulation, have also influenced India’s foreign policy, particularly on issues of regional security and international diplomacy. For example, regional parties from Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeast have had a say in issues like border security, ethnic conflicts, and migration, influencing India’s regional policy.
Additionally, state parties often express concerns related to cross-border terrorism, resource-sharing agreements, and the implications of foreign policy decisions on local populations. For example, Tamil Nadu’s political parties have occasionally raised their voices over India’s foreign relations with Sri Lanka, especially on issues related to the Tamil ethnic population in Sri Lanka.
4.5. Conclusion
Political parties, through their ideologies, leadership, and political priorities, have a profound impact on India’s foreign policy. The Congress Party’s legacy of non-alignment and internationalism shaped India’s post-independence diplomacy, while the BJP’s more assertive nationalism has influenced the direction of India’s relations with global powers and regional neighbors. Coalition politics, too, has played a role in moderating or modifying foreign policy decisions. Overall, political parties continue to play a dynamic and evolving role in shaping India’s foreign policy, which remains responsive to both domestic imperatives and the changing global landscape.
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