Context: India’s foreign policy has evolved over decades, drawing from its civilizational ethos and adapting to modern global challenges.
Foreign Policy Ideas for the 21st Century:
- Viswamitra Model:
- Concept: Aimed at achieving a global leadership role by balancing strategic alliances and independent decision-making.
- Approach: Leverage India’s civilizational ethos while focusing on economic growth, technological innovation, and military modernization.
- Tightrope Balance:
- Concept: Maintain strategic autonomy by balancing relations with major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China.
- Approach: Navigate regional conflicts and global competition without aligning fully with any bloc.
- Soft Power Diplomacy:
- Concept: Use cultural, historical, and spiritual assets to build goodwill globally.
- Approach: Promote yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood, and Indian languages; strengthen ties with the diaspora to enhance India’s global influence.
- Humanitarian Diplomacy:
- Concept: Extend India’s role in global crisis management and developmental aid.
- Approach: Provide disaster relief, medical aid, and capacity-building programs in developing nations; showcase India as a responsible global leader.
Relevance for UPSC:
- GS Paper II (International Relations): Questions on India’s bilateral/multilateral engagements and evolving global role.
- Essay Paper: Topics on soft power, non-alignment, or India-China relations.
- Case Studies in Ethics: Application of diplomacy and negotiation techniques in conflict resolution.
