India's Foreign Policy and Neighbourhood
India's Foreign Policy and Neighbourhood
This domain tests India's aims, principles and instruments: strategic autonomy, non-alignment, peaceful coexistence and regional engagement. Expect links between foreign policy and Assam's eastern border, connectivity and security.
Core rules and concepts
- Article 51 of the Directive Principles directs the state to promote international peace and respect international law.
- Panchsheel, agreed with China in 1954, lists mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
- Non-alignment was strategic autonomy, not hostility to any bloc. India joined NAM in 1961 while retaining issue-based cooperation.
- Look East 1991 became Act East 2014, emphasising ASEAN, connectivity and India's north-eastern states.
- The Gujral Doctrine 1996 offered non-reciprocal concessions to smaller neighbours to build trust.
- Neighbourhood First 2014 prioritises Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar and Afghanistan, alongside SAARC and BIMSTEC.
Worked example
How does the Gujral Doctrine explain India's approach to a smaller neighbour? Reasoning: India may offer concessions on trade, transit or water without demanding immediate reciprocity, because stable neighbours reduce security costs and build goodwill. The logic is asymmetrical partnership, not surrender of core interests.
Traps that cost marks
- Panchsheel is not a mutual defence pact.
- Non-alignment is not anti-Western isolationism.
- Act East is broader than Look East and includes connectivity and security.
- Do not treat SAARC and BIMSTEC as identical.