India’s Relations With Other Countries

The Republic of India has developed a foreign policy that is based on the concept of global relationships as a sort of neighborhood that is comprised of varying circles brought together by historical and cultural similarities. This policy is based largely on the tenets of Panchsheel, which espouse pragmatism and a common goal of national interest. The country’s government believes that foreign policy must be open to the various opportunities that arise in the face of constant global change, and that is should play a large role in the development of the country’s capabilities by way of economic progress and the building of social relationships, while always keeping sight of its citizens well-being, as well as the sovereignty and territorial rights of the country. To meet these goals, the country’s foreign policy aims to encourage a healthy relationship with other countries based various political and economic concerns, both on the regional and global level.

There are currently more than 20 million Indians employed in other countries, most of who retain strong ties with their motherland. Because of this, the Indian government has shaped their foreign policy to look into the welfare of their citizens in the countries in which they work and reside.

India generally has favorable relationships with most countries around the world, beginning from its achievement of independence in 1947. The 1950s saw the country achieving increased prominence on the global stage with its support of campaigns for independence by European colonies in Africa and Asia. In addition the country also participated in military operations in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

India has been involved in three globally prominent wars with the neighboring country of Pakistan, with much of the conflict arising from disputes over the Kashmir region. A series of minor conflicts between the two countries have also erupted over the years with the Siachen Glacier conflict of 1984 and the 1999 dispute over Kargil being some of the most prominent.

India is a currently a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and is one of the founding countries of the Non-Aligned Movement. The end of the Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistani War in the middle of the 1960s saw India embarking on a period of close political and economic ties with the Soviet Union, although this caused a souring of the country’s relationship with the United States; a situation that continued throughout the duration of the Cold War. Today, the relationship between India and Russia continues on in a healthy state, with both countries involved in various economic, defense-related and technological agreements. India also maintains good ties with various South American, Asian and African countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam.