INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY @ 2023

For Latest Updates, Current Affairs & Knowledgeable Content.

Context:

As INDIA is entering in 2023, it has to deal with lots of challenges and opportunities staring at it on the diplomatic and military fronts.
Year 2022 is often compared with the other brutal years of the past due to its post-pandemic world effects and horrifying visuals from Russia-Ukraine war.
New year welcomes India to all together new challenges and responsibilities.

CURRENT DYNAMICS IN INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY:

RUSSIA- UKRAINE WAR:

After a long lasting global order since WW2 was disturbed by EUROPEAN WAR this year.
It has impacted the world’s energy and food security.

Russia-Ukraine war is also pushing the global economy towards recession.
On the other hand constant nuclear rhetoric from Russian leaders and increasing Russia- china ties are also a cause of concern for India.

CHINA’S AGGRESSION:

Another border related tensions here in Indo-Pacific is as worrisome.
India is constantly facing the heat from china. Recent border skirmishes in Galwan and Tawang are suitable examples of China’s aggression.

WESTERN TIES ARE TESTED:

In the midst of Russian war, India is constantly being tested at UNSC’s resolutions for its stand.
This has led to testing of Indo-Western ties.
Europe had been constantly scoffing at India due to buying of oil from sanctions hit Russia.
Long time absence of US ambassador to India is perceived to have impacted relations.

DEALING WITH TALIBANS:

India reopened its embassy in Kabul soon after taliban coming to power.
India has constantly reengaged with Taliban regime by constantly sending humanitarian aids.
Despite difference of opinion in matters of extremism, rights of minority and women, India has committed huge dollars for improving the lives of afghans.

INSTABILITY IN PAKISTAN:

After the change in Pakistan regime, the rhetoric against India has been lowered a bit but there has been no positive changes in bilateral ties.

NEIGHBOURHOOD IN CRISIS:

India opened its purse string and gave humanitarian aid to SriLanka owing to its political and economic crisis.
India is also helping Srilanka in negotiating an economic debt relief package from International Monetary Fund.

Simultaneously, India is also in touch with Myanmar military regime and has sought not to isolate the Myanmar unlike other western partners and same time providing assistance and aids to the country.

After having looked at current dynamics of India’s foreign policy and its impacts, Let’s have a look at what 2023 holds for India.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA IN 2023

DEALING WITH CHINA:

Recent border skirmishes have shown the China’s mood of changing the status-quo unilaterally.
There is clarity in the strategic establishment in New Delhi that China is the biggest adversary unlike in the past where some gave them the benefit of doubt.
India’s strategic response has been guided by a thinking that one has to stand up to the bully, but that has come at a cost, with soldiers braving the harsh winter in eastern Ladakh for the third year in a row.
As China sees itself as a superpower, thus more clashes and competing interests with India are likely, which will have to be resolved through negotiations.

ENGAGING WITH RUSSIA:

Viewing from the calculus of India China border standoff, the importance of Russia is considerable.
Russia has been long, reliable partner in India’s foreign policy ranging from defence equipments, UNSC resolutions to energy security.
For China, Russia is a source of raw material and a growing market for its consumer goods.
The West’s approach towards Russia after the war has brought Moscow much closer to China and this is a cause of concern for India.
India’s effort will be to engage with both Russia and the West while putting its strategic defence and national security interests first.

G20 as global stage:

The hosting of the G20 summit will be one of the biggest portrayals of India’s rise at the global stage.
New Delhi, which has already positioned itself as the “voice of the Global South”, will seek to put its priorities on the global forum.
As India hosts the G20 summit this year, India looks to shape conversations on issues confronting the world: post-Covid economic recovery to health structures to deal with future pandemics to challenges to global norms to protection of the environment.

WAY FORWARD:

As India hosts the G20 summit, 2023 is the year when politics and economics will get mingled with diplomacy.
Its goal to become a permanent member of UNSC will depend on how India navigates the polarised world and makes its mark in setting the global agenda.
Our domestic efforts will need to be bolstered by smart partnerships with others.

Syllabus : MAINS, GS-2 International Relations

Any Doubts ? Connect With Us.

For Latest Updates & Daily Current Affairs