Topic – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
3) The situation can be much more complex when friends expect you to choose between them. Comment in the context of the Indian foreign policy towards other countries.(250 words)
Why this question
India has recently entered into several agreements with Russia which has irked USA to some extent, with which it has an agreement last year. In this context it is essential to analyze the complexity of India’s foreign policy.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our opinion on how it is a difficult situation for India when it has to choose between friends. We have to identify the major players in the question- US, Russia, Iran and express our knowledge and understanding about India’s recent relationship with them.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the complications of a foreign policy and India’s desire for a multi-polar and more peaceful world.
Body-
Discuss the impact of the deal on India-US as well as India-Russia relationship. E.gattempt to diversify ties and increase bilateral trade with Russia, currently below $10 billion; The signing of the S-400 air defence system deal, for instance, is of far greater consequence than its size. It denotes India’s desire to deepen defence cooperation with Russia; also that it is prepared to do this despite U.S. warnings that the deal could attract sanctions. That this deal comes just a month after India signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) for better interoperability with the U.S. military is a sign that India will not be forced or even persuaded into putting all its eggs in one strategic basket; New Delhi’s assertion of “strategic autonomy” and desire for multipolarity will be seriously tested in the coming months; More defence deals with Russia will make it increasingly difficult for the U.S. to give India a waiver from sanctions under CAATSA; Both on CAATSA and on the U.S.’s proposed sanctions on Iran that go into force on November 4, India will need to make some tough decisions etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
