Overview
- The ongoing war in West Asia and the Gulf region has revived debates in India about whether the country should “take sides” in international conflicts. India has often been described as tilting toward one side, particularly in the current Gulf war context.
- However, India’s historical foreign policy record reveals a far more complex and nuanced approach. It is rooted in the principles of non-alignment and strategic autonomy as India has traditionally preferred issue-based judgement rather than rigid bloc alignment.
Issues with India’s Approach
- Non-Alignment and Independent Judgement
- India’s doctrine of non-alignment during the Cold War was often misunderstood as neutrality.
- In reality, it emphasised independent decision-making on global issues rather than bloc loyalty.
- India reserved the right to evaluate conflicts on their merits and adopt positions aligned with its national interests and principles.
- Perception of Double Standards
- India has sometimes faced criticism for inconsistency in condemning international interventions.
- For example, India’s moral clarity appeared stronger when Western powers were involved, but became less pronounced when the Soviet Union or Russia was responsible.
- For example Soviet invasions of Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968) and Afghanistan (1979) and Russian interventions in Crimea (2014) and Eastern Ukraine (2022)
- India’s reluctance to criticise the Soviet Union was partly rooted in strategic realities. Moscow played an important role in supporting India’s security interests, particularly in the context of relations with Pakistan and tensions with the United States.
- India’s Present Stakes in the Gulf Region
- India’s current policy toward the Gulf is shaped by deep economic and social interdependence:
- Nearly $200 billion in trade between India and the Gulf region.
- Millions of Indian expatriates working in Gulf countries.
- Heavy dependence on Gulf states for energy supplies.
- Because of these stakes, India prioritises protecting its economic interests and diaspora during regional crises.
- India’s current policy toward the Gulf is shaped by deep economic and social interdependence:
Way Forward
- Adopt Strategic Creativity: India must continue to navigate regional conflicts through flexible diplomacy rather than rigid alignments.
- Balance Principles and Interests: Foreign policy should combine normative commitments with pragmatic national interests.
- Recognise Changing Regional Dynamics: Policymakers should adapt to new geopolitical realities in West Asia, including emerging alignments.
- Strengthen Regional Engagement: Deepening economic and strategic partnerships with Gulf states can help stabilise India’s interests in the region.
- Manage Interdependence Carefully: India must carefully manage its deep economic, energy, and diaspora ties with the Gulf region during conflicts.
Conclusion: India’s foreign policy reflects a balance between strategic autonomy and pragmatic national interests rather than rigid bloc alignment. In a changing geopolitical environment, India must continue adopting flexible diplomacy while safeguarding its energy, economic, and diaspora interests in West Asia.
