CONTEXT

• India does not have a tradition of shadow cabinets, which remains behind the government in power with ready alternative approaches to policy matters.
  • Here the opposition challenges government policies, but provides no alternatives to be adopted in the event of a change in government.
  • It is only at the time of elections that a manifesto is put forward, while at other times it uses think tanks and NGOs to float ideas, which may become part of policy if they become publicly acceptable.
• Since there has been a consensus on foreign policy, a shadow foreign policy was out of the question.
  • But for the first time, a document has emerged from the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in the nature of an alternative to the present foreign and defence policies named ‘India’s Path to Power: Strategy in a world adrift’.

NATURE OF THE DOCUMENT

• The document is in the nature of an alternative to the foreign and defence policies of the present government, as some of its tenets are not considered conducive to finding a path to power for India in the post-pandemic world.
• The eight conclusions are quite logical and reasonable, but the tenor and tone of the paper is one of criticism and need for course correction.

ANALYSING INDIA’S RECENT FOREIGN POLICY

The first term of the present government was remarkable for its innovative, bold and assertive foreign policy, which received general approbation:

After India’s unconventional peace initiatives with Pakistan failed, a firm stand was taken.

Though India’s wish to have close relations with the other neighbours did not materialise, but it’s helpful attitude to them even in difficult situations averted any crisis.

India attained a new symphony in Indo-U.S. relations and was involved in continuous engagement with China to find a new equation with it.

India’s relations with Israel and the Arab countries have become productive.

On the contrary, despite the enhanced majority of the government in the second term government was partly on account of his foreign policy successes:

In the second term the government dealt with some of the unfinished sensitive matters, which were essentially of a domestic nature- Article 370, citizenship issues and farming regulations.

The external dimensions of these policies in turn led to a challenge to its foreign policy.

Questions were raised in the West about human rights and the state of democracy in India.

The opposition in India began to question the foreign policy postures of the government.

The pandemic, the economic meltdown and China’s incursion into Ladakh added to the woes of the government.

IMPACT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE REPORT

• The document is critical of the foreign and defence policies of the current government and argues that such policy is not conducive to finding a path to power for India in the post-pandemic world.
• The document notes that domestic issues have impacted foreign policy, therefore it suggests that India should set its house in order to stem the tide of international reaction.
• It warns that political polarisation and majoritarianism could diminish India’s strength on the international stage.
• The report also criticizes the omni-directional foreign policy of India.

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE REPORT

• The foundational source of India’s influence in the world is the power it enjoys. This rests on four pillars, domestic economic growth, social inclusion, political democracy and a broadly liberal constitutional order.
  • If these integral pillars remain strong, there is no stopping India.
• The report rightly points out that “it would be incorrect and counterproductive for India to turn its back on globalisation.”
• It also suggests that SAARC should be revived and that India should rejoin the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and continue its long-standing quest for membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
• The report also stresses the importance of strategic autonomy in today’s world where change is the only certainty.
• For the India-U.S- China triangle, the report makes the unusual suggestion that India should have better relations individually with both the U.S. and China than they have with each other.
• For China, the report states that since China will influence India’s external environment politically, economically and infrastructurally, there is no feasible alternative to a combination of engagement and competition with China.
• On the looming environmental disaster, the report states that since India is still at an early stage of its modern development trajectory, it is not yet locked into an energy-intensive pattern of growth. Much of India’s infrastructure remains to be built.
  • It suggests all is not well with the present strategy for environmental protection and economic development.

CONCLUSION

As per the Report, all is not well with Indian foreign policy and a fundamental change is necessary to meet the present situation. The report reveals the end of the era of consensus foreign policy and presents a shadow foreign policy for the first time in India.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-shadow-foreign-policy-for-the-first-time/article37061053.ece