Realigning India: Indian foreign policy after the Cold War

Abstract

At the end of the Cold War India confronted unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the midst of a new era of globalization. This paper argues that, despite the eagerness of the Hindu nationalist BJP to gain recognition for India as a major power, Indian foreign policy remains primarily responsive and characterized by relative caution. The paper begins by considering the political and economic context within which foreign policy is made and how this has changed in the past decade and a half. It then focuses on two key aspects of post‐cold war Indian foreign policy: the adoption of nuclear weapons and relations with the USA. Evaluating the realignment that has occurred in Indian policy, it concludes that over the past decade India has made headway in evolving a foreign policy that assures its emergence as a power with an effective presence on the international stage. Ultimately, however, success will depend not just on adapting to changes in the wider international arena but on the proximate and interdependent factors of economic growth, political stability and regional peace.

Keywords:

• India
• foreign policy
• nuclear
• BJP
• USA

Notes

Correspondence Address: James Chiriyankandath, Governance & International Relations Section (City), Department of Law, Governance & International Relations, London Metropolitan University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT, UK. Email: [email protected].

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James Chiriyankandath

Correspondence Address: James Chiriyankandath, Governance & International Relations Section (City), Department of Law, Governance & International Relations, London Metropolitan University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT, UK. Email: [email protected].