Indian Foreign Policy – Regional Organisations Overview

🇮🇳 Indian Foreign Policy – Overview

Introduction

• India is an emerging global power with the 5th largest economy (nominal GDP) and 3rd largest (PPP).
• Maintains 199 diplomatic missions globally.
• Foreign relations are handled by Ministry of External Affairs.
• Strong focus on neighbourhood via Neighbourhood First Policy: cooperation, development, and connectivity.

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India and SAARC

• Formed: 1985, Dhaka.
• Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
• Purpose: Promote regional cooperation and development.

India’s Role in SAARC

• Founding Member.
• Hosted 3 SAARC Summits:
  • 1986 – Bengaluru (2nd)
  • 1995 – New Delhi (8th)
  • 2007 – New Delhi (14th)
• Major Contributions:
  • Development Projects: Infrastructure, energy, education, capacity building.
  • South Asian University (SAU): Delhi.
  • SAARC Disaster Management Centre: GIDM, Gujarat.
  • South Asian Satellite (SAS): Launched in 2017 from Sriharikota.
  • National Knowledge Network (NKN): Extended to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan (2019).

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Gujral Doctrine (1996)

Formulated by I.K. Gujral. Five key principles:

• Non-reciprocity towards smaller neighbours (Bhutan, Nepal, etc.).
• No use of territory against neighbours.
• Non-interference in internal matters.
• Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Peaceful dispute resolution.

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Look East Policy (1992)

• Initiated by: P.V. Narasimha Rao.
• Objective: Strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia.
• Focused on:
  • Trade
  • Investment
  • Strategic cooperation

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Act East Policy (2014)

• Launched by: Narendra Modi at ASEAN Summit, Nay Pyi Taw.
• Successor to: Look East Policy.
• Focus: Economic + Security cooperation with ASEAN + East Asia (Japan, South Korea, China).

4 Cs of Act East Policy:

• Culture
• Commerce
• Connectivity
• Capacity Building

Key Forums/Initiatives:

• BIMSTEC
• Mekong-Ganga Cooperation
• Quad (US, India, Japan, Australia)
• India-Japan Act East Forum (2017)

Connectivity Projects:

• Agartala–Akhaura Rail Link (India–Bangladesh)
• Kaladan Multimodal Project (India–Myanmar)
• India–Myanmar–Thailand Highway

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Look West Policy

Strategic engagement with West Asia.

Priorities:

• Energy security
• Counter-terrorism
• Diaspora welfare
• Trade & economic ties