Indian Foreign Policy

Indian foreign policy refers to the strategies and principles adopted by the Government of India to manage its relations with other countries and international organizations. India's foreign policy is based on several key principles, including non-alignment, strategic autonomy, peaceful coexistence, and promoting global peace and stability.

Here are some key aspects and priorities of Indian foreign policy:

1. Non-alignment: India traditionally follows a non-aligned foreign policy, which means it does not align itself with any specific power bloc or alliance. This approach allows India to maintain its independence and pursue its national interests while engaging with countries from various regions.
2. Regional Priorities: India places significant importance on its relations with neighboring countries and the wider South Asian region. It aims to foster stability, economic integration, and cooperation through initiatives such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
3. Act East Policy: India's Act East Policy, formerly known as the Look East Policy, focuses on enhancing political, economic, and cultural ties with Southeast Asian countries and the wider Asia-Pacific region. This policy aims to strengthen India's strategic influence in the region and boost economic cooperation.
4. Global Engagement: India seeks to play an active role in global affairs and institutions. It is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grouping. India also actively participates in multilateral forums like the G20, where it advocates for the interests of developing countries.
5. Economic Diplomacy: India's foreign policy emphasizes economic diplomacy as a means to promote trade, investment, and technological cooperation with other countries. Initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, and Startup India are aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering economic growth.
6. Security and Counterterrorism: India places a high priority on national security and counterterrorism efforts. It seeks to cooperate with other countries in intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and capacity building to combat terrorism and maintain regional stability.
7. Climate Change and Sustainable Development: India is committed to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. It has played an active role in global climate negotiations and is focused on clean energy initiatives and reducing carbon emissions.
8. Engaging the Indian diaspora: India recognizes the importance of its diaspora in different countries and maintains strong ties with overseas Indian communities. The government works to address their concerns and leverage their expertise for economic and cultural diplomacy.

It's important to note that foreign policy priorities can evolve over time based on geopolitical developments, domestic considerations, and changing global dynamics. The above points provide a general overview of India's foreign policy, but specific policies and approaches may vary depending on the government in power and the prevailing circumstances.