• While the Cold War (US-USSR)was raging and shaking international politics, in the initial two decades following India’s independence, India’s foreign policy was heavily determined by the policy of non-alignment, which later became a full-fledged movement and forum of discussion in 1961 (Non Alignment Movement).
• But today, India skillfully maneuversbetween China-led or Russia-led groupings such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), along with its involvement in US-led groupings such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), in which Japan and Australia are also members.

Non-Alignment in India

• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world and at the height of the Cold War.
• In 1960, it was at the fifteenth ordinary session of the United Nations GeneralAssembly that the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was created, resulting in the admission of 17 new African and Asian members.
  • The then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehrualso promoted the concept of ‘non-alignment’, or equidistance of the ‘third world’ from the two superpowers of the Cold War. These concepts found their way to the Bandung Conference of 1955.
    • The primary objectives of the non-aligned countries focused on the support of self-determination, national independence and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, non-adherence to multilateral military pacts.
  • By the end of the 1980s, theMovement was facing the great challenge brought about by the collapse of the socialist block. The end of the clash between the two antagonistic blocks that was the reason for its existence, name and essence was seen by some as the beginning of the end for the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries.

India’s New Multi-Alignment Approach

• Multi-Alignment:It is a series of parallel relationships that strengthen multilateral partnerships and seek a common approach among the grouping towards security, economic equity and the elimination of existential dangers like terrorism. Below are a few forums where India''s Multi-Alignment Approach is clearly evident:
  • International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):A 7,200-kilometer multi-modal transport corridor that combines road, rail and maritime routes, connecting Saint Petersburg (Russia) to Mumbai.
    • International North-South Transport Corridoroffers a platform for India to collaborate with Russia, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics towards fostering a Eurasian Free Trade Area.
    • Once fully operational, INSTC is expected to reduce freight costs by 30%and the journey time by 40% compared to the deep-sea route via the Suez Canal.
  • BRICS: BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa,seeks for economic, political and security cooperation including people-to-people exchange through a well-planned mechanism.
    • India was instrumental in co-founding the New Development Bank (NDB),a new multilateral initiative expected to rival the World Bank.
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organization:SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
    • Membership:Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.
      • Iran and Belarusare likely to be the two newest additions.
    • From SCO, China and Russia are looking to counter the West,especially the expansion of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
  • Quadrilateral Security Dialogue:QUAD is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region and counter China.

Problems with India’s New Multi-Alignment

• India''s multi-alignment strategy allows it to maintain good relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
• This has given India some diplomatic space to play a role in mediating the conflict.
• However, India''s material resources are not sufficient to match China''s economic and military potential. s

China’s Approach to Ukraine Crisis

• China has blamed NATO''s eastward expansion for the war.
• It has accused the United States of being the biggest obstacle to a ceasefire.
• It has exploited differences among Western countries about how much support to give Ukraine.
• It has further cemented its relationship with Russia.
• It has ensured the survival of the Vladimir Putin regime.
• It has positioned itself in opposition to the American approach to the conflict.

India’s Approach to Ukraine Crisis

• In contrast to the Chinese President’s first outreach to Ukraine, the Indian Prime Minister has spoken to the Ukrainian counterpart many times.
• India had expressed solidarity with Ukraine while extending support for peace efforts.
• Indian Prime Minister publicly told the Russian President “Today’s era is not of war”, a remark that seemed to be a reprimand to Russia.
• Despite Western criticism of India’s continued energy imports from Russia and export of excess refined Russian fuel to the European market.
• This is seen as underscoring India’s rising stature and recognition of its unique position in the emerging global order.

India as Vishwaguru

• During Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister’s recent visit to India, she remarked that “India wants to be the Vishwaguru, the global teacher and arbiter. Ukraine is the only right choice for true Vishwaguru.”
• Vishwaguru is at the core of the Current government''s nationalist foreign policy discourse.
• Vishwaguru builds on historical trends in India''s political thought that emphasize the distinctiveness of the country''s cultural ethos and civilizational values.
• The phrase highlights the unique nature of "soft power" in foreign policy debates.

India’s Soft Power

• Nationalist ideas have always influenced the Indian state, contributing to their further proliferation in society and polity.
• Soft power is simultaneously ubiquitous and ambiguous, accepted as significant yet narrow in its policy impact.
• It should be understood as any other form of “nonmaterial” power which interacts with material resources or hard power, either enlarging their impact or making up for their absence.

India’s Hard Power

• India lacks hard power.
• If India had power in its hands, then the Ukraine war would not have come before the world.

India’s UNSC approach

• India has avoided taking a clear position in many UN resolutions on the issue.
• India has often taken an evasive position on conflicts that involve its traditional allies.
• However, this ambiguity does not behove a nation aspiring to become a permanent member of the UNSC.

Difference between India’s and China’s approach

• India has traditionally been uncomfortable with viewing its national interests in binary terms.
• India has a long-standing relationship with Russia, which is important for its military preparedness.
• Russia''s justifications for its military actions in Ukraine do not resonate with most of India''s political elite.
• China has also made similar justifications, which India does not agree with.
• India has no revisionist motives and believes in the sovereignty of all nations.
• India''s views on sovereignty are in line with the universally accepted Westphalian notion.
• China''s political philosophy of "might is right" is fundamentally different from India''s.

Challenges for India’s Foreign Policy

• Growing Russia-China Axis:Russia has become increasingly interested in its periphery''s affairs. Furthermore, sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea have pushed it towards a closer relationship with China that can certainly deflect its interest in India.
• Self-Imposed Isolation of India:Currently, India remains isolated from supranational bodies like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Moreover, India has opted out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
  • Self-imposed isolation does not fit with India''s ambition to become a global power.
• Weakening Ties with Neighbors: A more worrying concern for Indian foreign policy is weakening ties with the neighbors. This can be seen from instances likeChina’s Cheque Book Diplomacy vis-a-vis Sri Lanka and Pakistan, strain in relation with Bangladesh on National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue and a border dispute with Nepal.
  • Thus instead of looking towards development of the country, India is forced to invest heavily in security.

Looking forward

• Strengthening Ties with Neighbors:India should make valiant efforts to improve relations with some of its neighbors such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
  • In this context, India can look forward to extending more diplomatic policies like "vaccine diplomacy" under its Neighbourhood First Policywith neighbors, which supplied vaccines for free or at affordable prices in 2021.
• Thinking Beyond Geo-Political:It is imperative to expand the focus of India''s foreign policy agenda beyond the traditional thinking of geopolitical boundaries to address issues such as regulatory oversight of trans-boundary digital giants, big data management, trade issues and disaster relief.
• G20 in 2023: India''s presidency of G20 in 2023will give it the chance to weave geoeconomic themes with geopolitical interests. Until now, India has played the role of an emerging power trying to become a global power. The G20 summit of 2023 will allow India to articulate and be proactive on issues that matter to the world.
• Therefore, a multi-alignment approach preserving certain prominent values of non-alignmentis good for India''s interests and advancing towards “Vasudeva Kutumbakam''''.