India’s South Asia Policy: Changes, Continuity or Continuity with Changes

ABSTRACT

Narendra Modi’s prime focus on foreign policy has made a few commentators around the world argue that India is witnessing a change in its foreign policy, and there has emerged a ‘Modi Doctrine’ based on ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’. However, an in-depth study on the theme suggests that there are no major doctrinal changes in Indian foreign policy; the present government is acting mostly within the guidelines set up by previous Prime Ministers of India especially in regard to India’s South Asia policy. Credit, if any, should go to Narendra Modi for breaking a logjam by making visits to almost all neighbouring countries during his first term as Prime Minister of India, 2014-2019. This paper argues that the Modi government in its first term has mainly continued with the past instead of making any changes.

KEYWORDS:

• India
• Indira Gandhi
• Narenda Modi
• Gujral Doctrine
• South Asia

Notes

1. This doctrine was outlined by the Indian Prime Minister I.K.Gujral when he was Minister for External Affairs in 1996–97 in the H.D. Devegowda government. The doctrine was unfolded during his speech at Chatham House in September 1996. The doctrine emphasises India’s unilateral accommodation for friendly and warm relations with its neighbours. It was based on five principles: 1. With neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity but gives and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust. 2. No South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the interest of another country of the region. 3. No country should interfere in the internal affairs of another. 4. All South Asian countries must respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. 5. They should settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations.

2. Sikkim became a part of India in 1975 and now it is one of the states.

3. India’s alleged behaviour as a ‘big brother’ in the region is a matter of perception and reality. India considers itself as ‘elder’ and not a ‘big’ brother. ‘Big brother’ denotes bullying while ‘elder brother’ means being an affectionate towards the small neighbours. The term ‘elder brother’ has been reiterated by the Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj during her speeches or media interactions on the issue.

4. A term used by political scientist Rajni Kothari for the Congress Party because of its dominance in Indian politics (See Kothari, 1964). This dominance was, as seen, maintained by the Congress till 1989.

5. The other two reasons were internal strife in Myanmar due to which many Rohingyas Muslims are crossing into Bangladesh from where they try to cross into India. Secondly, there has been a sudden rise of militancy in Bangladesh which has its impact on India’s northeastern states.