How does the Parliament determine and influence the making of india’s foreign policy?. (UPSC CSE Mains 2015- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
According to article 246, ‘All matters which bring the union into relations with any foreign country’ falls under the jurisdiction of Parliament. Hence, broadly the parliament has the right to take decisions on all the matters of foreign policy. Members of parliament can not only debate any matter of foreign policy in parliament but can also influence this process through various activities. Two important committees of parliament have comprehensive and direct influence on this subject. These committees are: –
(1) Parliamentary Advisory Committee of External Affairs Ministry.
(2) Standing Committee of External Affairs Ministry.
The government takes the suggestions seriously given by these committees. Two other committees of parliament also influence the formulation of foreign policy individually and indirectly. These are—Estimate Committee and Public Accounts Committee. Hence, the parliament influences the functional aspects of making of foreign policy in an important way through its various activities.
But the power of parliament depends upon the following many factors: –
(1) on the charismatic and expertise personality of executive.
(2) On the level of interest and expertise of parliamentarians in foreign policy.
(3) Emergency situation of country.
(4) On the nature of representation of various forces in parliament.
On many occasions, the parliament has significantly influenced the foreign policy of India. Nehru’s foreign policy towards China in the early period was soft despite several border violations due to the overwhelming support of the Parliament. But, following constant pressure in parliament, Nehru was forced to restructure his policies during the late 1950s. The parliament also successfully pressurized the Nehru government to disclose every single document on China, which was tabled in the form of white papers in the Parliament for discussion.
In relation to the 2008 Indo US Civil Nuclear Deal aka 123 Agreement. The proposed deal was discussed in parliament in November 2007. CPI(M) and CPI had warned against the deal and withdrew their support from Congress-led central govt. However, with the help of regional parties and independents, the UPA govt. won a trust vote in Lok Sabha with 253 members voting in favor and 232 against.
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