Determinants of Indias Foreign Policy

India's foreign policy serves as the blueprint for managing its relations with nations across the globe, always with the paramount goal of advancing national interests. Far from being shaped in isolation, it emerges from a dynamic interplay of key influences: the country's geography, its rich history and traditions, the nuances of its social structure, the framework of its political organization, the broader international environment, its economic standing, military capabilities, the sway of public opinion, and the guiding vision of its leadership.

1. Promotion of World Peace

At the heart of India's foreign policy lies a steadfast commitment to fostering international peace and security. This principle finds explicit expression in Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, nestled within the Directive Principles of State Policy. It enjoins the state to pursue several interconnected goals: promoting global peace and security; cultivating just and honourable relations among nations; upholding respect for international law and treaty obligations; and advocating the peaceful resolution of disputes through arbitration. These directives underscore India's vision of a cooperative world order, where harmony serves as the foundation for progress.

Beyond idealism, peace holds practical imperatives. It is indispensable for the economic advancement of nations, enabling stable growth and development. As Jawaharlal Nehru eloquently captured this urgency, "Peace to us is not just a fervent hope; it is an emergent necessity."

2. Anti-Colonialism

India's foreign policy has long stood firmly against colonialism and imperialism, viewing them as mechanisms that enable powerful nations to exploit weaker ones while undermining global peace and stability. This principled stance stems from India's own hard-fought independence struggle, positioning the country as a vocal advocate for the complete eradication of colonial rule in all its manifestations.

From the outset, India extended unwavering support to liberation movements across Afro-Asian nations, including Indonesia, Malaya, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, and Namibia. By championing these causes, New Delhi demonstrated deep solidarity with peoples resisting domination by erstwhile colonial powers such as Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Even today, India remains resolute in opposing neo-colonialism and neo-imperialism—subtler forms of economic and political dominance that perpetuate inequality in the post-colonial world.

3. Anti-Racialism

Opposition to racialism in all its forms stands as a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. New Delhi equates racial discrimination—treating people unequally based on race—with the exploitative legacies of colonialism and imperialism. Such practices, India argues, enable the subjugation of black populations by white ones, perpetuate social inequities, and undermine the very foundations of world peace.

India's stance found vivid expression in its fierce condemnation of apartheid, the policy of rigid racial segregation enforced by South Africa's white minority regime. In a dramatic protest, India severed diplomatic relations with Pretoria in 1954. Likewise, New Delhi played a pivotal role in supporting the liberation of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and Namibia from white domination, championing the cause of racial equality on the global stage.

Non-Alignment: India's Path in a Divided World

Upon gaining independence in 1947, India confronted a world sharply polarized by ideology amid the intensifying Cold War. Two rival blocs dominated global politics: the capitalist alliance led by the United States and the communist bloc spearheaded by the Soviet Union. Rejecting entanglement in this bipolar struggle, India charted a bold course of non-alignment, refusing to align with either superpower.

This principled stance was eloquently articulated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who envisioned India as a force for peace. "We propose to keep away from the power politics of groups, aligned against one another," he declared, "which have led in the past to world wars and which may again lead to disasters on an even vaster scale. I feel that India can play a big part, and perhaps an effective part, in helping to avoid war. Therefore, it becomes all the more necessary that India should not be lined up with any group of power which for various reasons are full of fear of war and prepare for war."

At its core, non-alignment embodied three key commitments: first, eschewing military alliances with any nation, whether from the Western or Eastern bloc; second, pursuing an independent foreign policy shaped by India's own national interests; and third, fostering friendly relations with all countries, regardless of their ideological leanings. This approach not only safeguarded India's sovereignty but also positioned it as a moral voice on the global stage, advocating for disarmament and peaceful coexistence.

Panchsheel: Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, forms the cornerstone of India's vision for ethical conduct in international relations. These principles were formally enshrined in the preamble to the 1954 Indo-China Agreement on Tibet, signed by India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai. At their core, they emphasize mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty; non-aggression; non-interference in internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful coexistence.

India championed Panchsheel as a pathway to genuine cooperation among sovereign nations, offering a refreshing alternative to the "balance of terror" fueled by Cold War rivalries, power blocs, and alliances. Rooted in the ideal of universalism rather than the zero-sum logic of balance-of-power politics, it sought to foster harmony amid global tensions. The appeal of these principles quickly transcended borders, with nations like Burma, Yugoslavia, and Indonesia embracing them as a guiding framework for diplomacy.

Together with non-alignment, Panchsheel stands as one of India's most enduring contributions to the theory and practice of international relations, influencing global discourse on peace and equity to this day.

6. Afro-Asian Bias

India's foreign policy has long championed friendly relations with every nation, yet it has shown a distinctive affinity for Afro-Asian countries. This special emphasis stems from a commitment to fostering unity among these nations and amplifying their voice in global forums. India has also actively pursued international support to bolster their economic progress, positioning itself as a natural leader in the Global South.

This bias took shape early in India's independence era. In 1947, just months after freedom, New Delhi hosted the landmark Asian Relations Conference, bringing together leaders from across the continent to forge common ground. Two years later, in 1949, India rallied Asian countries to champion Indonesia's struggle for independence against colonial rule. The momentum peaked at the Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955, where India played a starring role in laying the groundwork for solidarity among newly independent states.

India's influence extended to shaping key multilateral groupings in the decades that followed. It was instrumental in forming the Group of 77 in 1964 to advocate for developing economies, the Group of 15 in 1990 for South-South cooperation, the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation in 1995, BIST Economic Cooperation in 1997, and SAARC in 1985 to deepen regional ties. While these efforts earned India respect as a bridge-builder, they also drew criticism from some neighbors, who dubbed it the 'Big Brother' of the region—a nod to its assertive yet protective posture.

In 1949, shortly after adopting its Constitution, India affirmed its continued full membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and accepted the British Crown as the symbolic head of this association. This decision, made outside the formal constitutional framework, carried no implications for India's hard-won sovereignty. The Commonwealth remains a voluntary alliance of independent states, committed to mutual cooperation rather than binding obligations.

Equally important, India's republican identity remained intact. Unlike a dominion owing allegiance to the Crown, India recognized no such loyalty, nor did the British monarch hold any official role or authority within the country. India's choice to stay was driven by pragmatism: membership opened doors to tangible gains in economic aid, diplomatic influence, political solidarity, and cultural exchanges.

Over the decades, India has emerged as a pivotal player in Commonwealth affairs, particularly at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). A highlight came in 1983, when New Delhi hosted the 24th Commonwealth Summit, underscoring India's leadership on the global stage.

8. India's Steadfast Support to the United Nations

India joined the United Nations (UN) as a founding member in 1945, even before gaining full independence, and has since remained a committed partner in its activities and programs. With unwavering faith in the UN's charter objectives and principles—such as promoting peace, human rights, and international cooperation—India has played a pivotal role across various fronts, from decolonization efforts to peacekeeping and institutional reform.

A cornerstone of India's UN engagement has been its principled stand against colonialism, imperialism, racialism, and their modern variants like neo-colonialism and neo-imperialism. This policy found a powerful platform through the UN, where India championed the cause of newly independent nations. In a landmark achievement, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit became the first woman and the first Indian to serve as President of the UN General Assembly in 1953, symbolizing India's rising global influence. India has also been a frontline contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, deploying troops to critical missions in Korea, the Congo, El Salvador, Cambodia, Angola, Somalia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and the former Yugoslavia, among others—often as one of the largest troop-contributing countries.

Beyond the field, India has actively shaped UN processes through participation in open-ended working groups, including as co-chair of the group on strengthening the UN, which delivered its influential report in 1997. Electing India multiple times as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council underscores its diplomatic stature, fueling India's ongoing advocacy for a permanent seat to better reflect the multipolar world order.

9. Disarmament

India's foreign policy stands firmly against the arms race, championing disarmament in both conventional and nuclear domains. This principled stance seeks to foster global peace and security by easing tensions between rival power blocs, while also freeing up resources for a nation's economic progress—resources otherwise squandered on the futile production of weapons.

To advance these goals, India has consistently leveraged the United Nations as a key platform to curb the arms race and push for meaningful disarmament. A notable example came in 1985, when India took the lead in hosting a six-nation summit in New Delhi, where it tabled concrete proposals aimed at nuclear disarmament.

Reflecting its commitment to equity, India has refrained from signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996, thereby preserving its strategic nuclear options. New Delhi views these treaties as inherently discriminatory and hegemonic, as they entrench a global order in which only five nations—the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France—hold legitimate rights to nuclear weapons, sidelining others indefinitely.

Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy

India's foreign policy is strategically crafted to safeguard its vital national interests while navigating the complexities of a dynamic global landscape. At its core, it seeks to secure international support and understanding to protect these interests amid rapid geopolitical shifts. Equally important is preserving India's strategic autonomy in decision-making, enabling the country to lead efforts in building a stable, prosperous, and secure world order. This approach also intensifies the global fight against terrorism, recognizing it as a universal menace that demands collective action.

A key pillar involves cultivating an international environment conducive to India's ambitious economic ascent. This includes attracting greater investments, expanding trade opportunities, accessing cutting-edge technology, and bolstering energy security. To this end, India fosters close collaboration with the P-5 nations and forges strategic partnerships with major powers such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, Russia, and China. Relations with immediate neighbors are deepened through mutually beneficial cooperation, respecting each other's core concerns, while advancing the vision of SAARC as a cohesive, economically integrated region at peace and actively engaged with the wider world. Special emphasis is placed on eradicating cross-border terrorism, particularly by dismantling the terror infrastructure operating from Pakistan.

India's outreach extends dynamically to Southeast Asia via the Act East Policy—an evolution of the earlier Look East Policy—aiming for tangible progress in shared priorities with ASEAN countries. Ties with the Gulf region are fortified, given its role as home to over four million Indians and a primary source of oil and gas. Economic momentum is leveraged through active participation in regional forums like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, and trans-regional platforms such as the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). Engagement with broader groupings like the EU and G-20 further amplifies India's voice on the global stage.

Looking ahead, India champions reforms to restructure the United Nations Security Council, advocating a multipolar world order grounded in sovereignty and non-intervention. It strives for a fairer balance between developed and developing nations across political, economic, and technological spheres. The policy also pursues global nuclear disarmament within a defined timeframe. Finally, sustained interaction with the Indian diaspora worldwide strengthens their emotional and practical bonds with the homeland, acknowledging their crucial contributions to India's global standing.

The Gujral Doctrine: A Cornerstone of India's Neighborhood Policy

The Gujral Doctrine marks a pivotal shift in India's foreign policy, emphasizing goodwill and magnanimity toward its smaller neighbors. Formulated in 1996 by I.K. Gujral, who served as Foreign Minister in the H.D. Deve Gowda-led government, it reflects India's commitment to fostering regional harmony in South Asia.

At its heart, the doctrine urges India—the region's largest nation—to offer unilateral concessions to its smaller neighbors without expecting reciprocity. This accommodating stance prioritizes cordial and cooperative ties, recognizing that stable relations with immediate neighbors are essential for India's strategic interests. It serves as a five-point blueprint for guiding India's interactions with countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The principles are straightforward yet profound. First, India pledges to extend benefits in good faith to these neighbors without demanding equivalent returns. Second, no South Asian country should permit its territory to be used against the interests of another in the region. Third, mutual non-interference in internal affairs is non-negotiable. Fourth, all nations must respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Finally, disputes should be resolved exclusively through peaceful bilateral negotiations.

I.K. Gujral himself articulated the doctrine's strategic rationale: with hostile neighbors like Pakistan to the west and China to the north, India must pursue "total peace" with all other immediate neighbors to counterbalance their influence and secure the region. This forward-looking approach continues to shape India's neighborhood diplomacy, underscoring the value of trust over transactionalism.

India's Nuclear Doctrine

India formalized its nuclear doctrine in 2003, articulating a restrained yet robust framework for its nuclear capabilities. At its core, the doctrine emphasizes building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent—a posture sufficient to deter adversaries without pursuing an arms race. Central to this is the commitment to No First Use (NFU): nuclear weapons would be employed solely in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or forces abroad. Any such response would be massive, designed to inflict unacceptable damage on the aggressor.

Authorization for nuclear retaliation rests exclusively with India's civilian political leadership, channeled through the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). The doctrine further pledges non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, though it reserves the right to respond with nuclear means to a major biological or chemical attack on India or its forces anywhere. To uphold global norms, India maintains strict controls on exporting nuclear and missile technologies, engages in negotiations for the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, and adheres to its moratorium on nuclear tests. Ultimately, the doctrine reaffirms India's long-standing pursuit of a nuclear-weapon-free world through verifiable, non-discriminatory global disarmament.

The NCA operates through two bodies: the Political Council, chaired by the Prime Minister and empowered as the sole authority to authorize nuclear use; and the Executive Council, led by the National Security Advisor, which furnishes critical inputs for decision-making and carries out the Political Council's directives.

In operationalizing this doctrine, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has played a pivotal role. It has reviewed command-and-control mechanisms, readiness levels, retaliatory targeting strategies, and alert procedures, expressing satisfaction with India's overall preparedness. The CCS also approved the creation of a Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command, to oversee all strategic assets, along with robust alternate chains of command to ensure retaliatory strikes in any contingency.

India’s Connect Central Asia Policy

In 2012, India unveiled its Connect Central Asia Policy, a strategic initiative designed to deepen and diversify ties with the five Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This multifaceted framework emphasizes political dialogue, security collaboration, economic partnerships, and cultural exchanges, positioning Central Asia as a vital pillar of India’s broader Eurasian engagement.

At its core, the policy prioritizes robust political and strategic relations. India commits to sustaining high-level visits and close interactions in both bilateral and multilateral settings. Building on existing strategic partnerships, it focuses on military training, joint research, counter-terrorism coordination, and consultations on Afghanistan. Multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Eurasian Economic Community (EEC), and Customs Union will amplify these efforts, including India’s proposal for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to integrate markets across the Eurasian space.

Economically, the policy eyes Central Asia as a long-term ally in energy and natural resources. The region’s vast reserves of iron ore, coal, and cheap electricity, coupled with expansive cultivable lands, offer opportunities for joint ventures in crop production, value addition, and even medium-sized steel rolling mills tailored to India’s needs. Indian firms stand ready to demonstrate expertise in construction, delivering world-class infrastructure at competitive costs. To overcome trade barriers, India advocates for stronger banking presence through favorable policies and urges completion of missing links in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), alongside enhanced air connectivity. With India’s outbound tourism market valued at USD 21 billion in 2011, Central Asia could emerge as an alluring destination for travelers and Bollywood filmmakers seeking exotic locales.

Human development domains promise equally rich collaboration. India plans to establish civil hospitals and clinics across the region, leveraging its cost-effective higher education system—far more affordable than Western alternatives—to help found a Central Asian University in Bishkek. This institution would excel in fields like IT, management, philosophy, and languages. Complementing these efforts, a Central Asian e-Network, hubbed in India, will provide tele-education and tele-medicine to all five nations.

Ultimately, people-to-people connections form the policy’s enduring foundation. India emphasizes youth exchanges, student mobility, and delegations of scholars, academics, civil society members, and future leaders to foster mutual cultural understanding.

This approach aligns seamlessly with India’s wider Eurasian strategy, complementing its relations with China, Pakistan, and its historic partnership with Russia. Full SCO membership and participation in regional forums will further solidify these renewed linkages, ensuring sustained momentum.

India's Act East Policy

In 2014, the Modi government transformed India's Look East Policy—originally launched in 1992 by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao—into the more dynamic Act East Policy. This upgrade signaled a proactive shift from passive observation to vigorous engagement. At the 2014 India-ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, “A new era of economic development, industrialization, and trade has begun in India. Externally, India’s ‘Look East Policy’ has become ‘Act East Policy’.” Echoing this, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj urged Indian envoys in Vietnam that same year to “Act East” rather than merely “Look East.”

At its core, the Act East Policy targets India's extended neighborhood in the Asia-Pacific region. What began as an economic initiative has evolved to encompass political, strategic, and cultural dimensions, bolstered by institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation. India has elevated its ties to strategic partnerships with nations including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Singapore, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while forging deeper connections across the broader Asia-Pacific.

India's involvement extends beyond ASEAN to key regional forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Domestically, the policy aligns seamlessly with initiatives like infrastructure development, manufacturing, trade, skill enhancement, urban renewal, smart cities, and Make in India. It emphasizes connectivity projects, space and science-technology collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges as catalysts for regional integration and shared prosperity.

A primary objective is to foster economic cooperation, cultural bonds, and strategic relationships with Asia-Pacific countries through sustained bilateral, regional, and multilateral engagement. Crucially, this enhances connectivity between India's Northeastern states—including Arunachal Pradesh—and neighboring nations. The Northeast serves as a focal point, acting as a natural bridge to ASEAN and enabling trade, cultural exchanges, people-to-people contacts, and physical infrastructure like roads, airports, telecommunications, and power grids.

On the civilizational front, the policy revitalizes ancient Buddhist and Hindu linkages to build fresh people-to-people connections. Connectivity efforts are particularly ambitious, with a coherent strategy to link ASEAN directly to Northeast India. This includes transport infrastructure upgrades, incentives for airlines to boost regional flights, and stronger ties between academic and cultural institutions.

Economically, engagement with ASEAN has intensified, prioritizing regional integration and project implementation. The ASEAN-India Agreement on Trade in Services and Investments took effect for India and seven ASEAN countries on July 1, 2015. Strategically, India has deepened security alignment with key partners in both bilateral and multilateral settings—combating terrorism, promoting regional peace and stability, and advancing maritime security grounded in international norms and laws. Through these multifaceted strides, the Act East Policy positions India as a pivotal player in the Asia-Pacific's future.