India's Foreign Policy and Global Challenges

Economic Experimental Phase

The Economic Experimental Phase (1991 to present) began during P.V. Narasimha Rao's period when India realized that economic power has major impact on balance of power in international politics. India abandoned protectionist policies and adopted globalization, liberalization, and privatization. This phase focuses on foreign policy that empowers the country's economy, making India the 5th largest economy in the world. The Idealism Phase (1947-1959) was Nehru's era, Strategic Realism Phase (1959-1991) followed China's attack, and Military Expansion Phase is not a recognized phase of India's fore

Racial discrimination based on skin color

Apartheid refers to the policy of racial discrimination based on skin color, particularly practiced in countries like South Africa, America, and some African nations. India opposes apartheid because, just as caste system exists in Indian society, racial discrimination based on skin color is practiced in these countries, and India considers both forms of discrimination wrong. India's foreign policy includes opposition to racial discrimination as one of its core principles. Economic inequality, religious fundamentalism, and nuclear weapons are separate issues that India addresses through differe

China

China's attack on India in 1962 marked the end of Nehru's idealistic foreign policy phase and led to the beginning of strategic realism. Despite the Panchsheel Agreement of 1954 that emphasized peaceful coexistence, China's aggressive action made Nehru reconsider his idealistic approach. This attack shattered the belief in purely peaceful coexistence and showed that in international relations, countries must be prepared for realistic scenarios. Pakistan had conflicts but not this specific turning point, Portugal was involved in Goa liberation (1961), and Britain was the colonial power, but non

No first use policy

India follows a 'No First Use' policy regarding nuclear weapons, which means India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict. India has produced nuclear weapons only for self-defense against external attacks and is committed to not using them first. While India supports global disarmament and the prevention of production of atomic bombs and other life-threatening weapons, it maintains its nuclear capability as a deterrent. First use policy would be aggressive, complete disarmament would leave India vulnerable, and nuclear weapons sharing is not India's policy approach.