The Foreign Policy of India: Shaped by Culture and Ethnicity
The article discusses the foreign policy of India and how this country's legitimacy is shaped by culture and ethnicity. Essentially, in deciding what foreign policies represent India best, there are external and internal factors at stake. There are other dynamics in the domestic and international spheres, although such policies can be established by diplomacy, agreements or force. As such, this paper offers literature and study of the various interactions that influence India's foreign policy. In addition, the article focuses on domestic variables in this region, such as culture, and their role in deciding international regulations and standards. In essence, the foreign policy in India has various aspects, which are established through different approaches. In the same way, these various ways are influenced by internal and external forces in India. Of great significance are domestic factors, which include culture, identity, and ethnicity.
Key Notes
The main argument in this journal is the fact that the distinction between internal and external aspects are blurred and does make much sense in India’s Foreign policy. According to the author, foreign policy outcome is often affected by the internal and external aspects variables, which can be dependent, independent or intermediate (Schmidt, 2017). On the one hand, military, security, and economic factors can be the internal variables influencing foreign policy. On the contrary, international aspects such as maximization and geopolitical constellation can play a significant role in determining the foreign policy. It is of the essence to recognize the fact that culture and identity two complementary variables and are the determinants of state’s interest and international relations. However, in India, other factors such as tradition, technology, social structure, and political organization are crucial to both domestic and international relations (Chadda, 2014). Although the search for strategic autonomy in the international platform has also influenced the foreign policy in India, culture and ethnicity remain the common denominators.
Analysis
The main issue in this paper is Indian government foreign policy where culture, identity, and ethnicity play a significant role in shaping the policy. In essence, an effective foreign policy should show a strategic vision guided by the country’s objectives. However, as the journal explains, most of the initiatives made in India’s foreign policy are vacuous, aspects that have led to poor international relations for India. As such, it is important for the government in India to establish a foreign policy based on national interest and the impact on the global relations. To achieve this, India should first address the domestic inequalities and regional instability facing the country (Danda, 2007). Although the external factors surrounding a state affects the foreign policy, internal variables have greater influence.
Although cultural and ethnic aspects are considered to the contrary issues on a national level, there serve in a similar manner in the international realm. As such, to ensure that it is successful in its external affairs, India should concentrate on resolving the domestic inequalities facing the country. Failure to different domestic conflicts and lack of respect to cultural and ethnic freedom leads to mistrust and lack of respect for such a country by other democracies on the international platform (Mukherjee, & Malone, 2001). Therefore, to ensure it maintains importance relevance and stability, Indian government must develop strategic plans that will promote cultural and ethnic harmony in the country.
References
Chadda, M. (August 01, 2014). Ethnicity, security, and separatism in India. Peace Research Abstracts, 37(4).
Danda, A. K. (January 01, 2007). Voluntarism, ethnicity, culture and the welfare system in India. Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society, 42(3), 205-219.
Mukherjee, R., & Malone, D. M. (January 01, 2011). Indian foreign policy and contemporary security challenges. International Affairs, 87(1).
Schmidt, J. D. (August 03, 2017). The internal and external constraints on foreign policy in India: exploring culture and ethnic sensitivities. Third World Quarterly, 38(8), 1894-1908.
