Round The World
New Delhi, 19 April 2024
Indian Parliament Elections
IS FOREIGN POLICY AN ISSUE?
By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri
(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an
interview that elections in India are festivals of our democracy. It is true
that across the country, people are in a festive mood and are excited about
exercising their fundamental right, i.e. to vote for a candidate of their
choice. An avid political commentator had put it in different, slightly
derisive words, “Indian politics is electionised not much democratised”. His
observation pointed to elections round the year in some part of the country or
the other. As India has three-tier governance – Centre, states and local
governments, elections for any one of the tiers is happening somewhere in the
country throughout the year.
Obviously, several issues and features of
Indian politics come up during elections. The issues that matter to voters, and
the features, mainly the organising principles, are manifested during
elections. But does foreign policy issues figure in the campaigns of political
parties, at least the national parties? From the reports in the press, opinion
polls, voters’ surveys, it is evident that foreign policy is not a priority. This
contradicts with India’s aspirations of becoming a Vishwa Guru or a Vishwa
Bandhu, the latter epithet is mentioned in the BJP’s manifesto under the
section on foreign policy.
Before we scan the issues in the
manifestoes of the political parties, we should learn why voters are not interested
in foreign policy. Indian voters like those in many developing countries do not
have much interest in internationalism for a variety of reasons. I will list
only a few. Many Indians, for lack of adequate resources, cannot travel and
explore the world. As it is said, you cannot feel for something, you have not
seen. Second, the lack of enough international outlook, many people in India do
not comprehend that international communities comprising both state and
non-state actors influence each country including India in multiple ways.
The external influence over the countries
has intensified under the ongoing process of globalisation. So far, the global
outlook has been the prerogative of the big powers – Europeans, Americans and
Russians. This is because of their superior economic and military might. Chinese
and Indians are new entrants. Ironically, China has the resources but not many
likeable ideas that will enable it to play a credible international role. India
has the ideas drawn from its rich civilisation and enduring democracy, but
lacks resources. Also, India, a vast country with the biggest population in the
world, consisting of 28 states, is like the European Union of 27 countries.
Both Union of India and the European Union get too embroiled in their internal
matters with little enthusiasm and energy left for internationalism.
The foreign policy making is left to an
elite club of bureaucrats and so-called experts. Voters hardly influence the
making of foreign policy. New Delhi like Brussels fails to realise that playing
an international role will enhance the internal strengths. It is a truism that
foreign policy of any country is a function of its domestic strengths which are
also called determinants. An improved international engagement, which New Delhi
seems to seek, requires the backing of domestic heft – economic, political,
demographic, developmental and technological. Likewise, a diminished role in
the world will level down the internal initiatives, reforms and rejuvenation. India,
therefore, needs to internationally position itself which is commensurate with
its national strengths and strategies.
From the above premise, let us look at
the issues raised by political parties in their manifestoes. We will take two
parties for the purpose – the BJP, which ran the government for the last ten
years and the Indian National Congress, the main Opposition party. Other political
parties are not so consequential in foreign policies. Although Left parties do
talk about it, their electoral strength is limited to one state government.
BJP’s manifesto reflects the foreign
policy the government has been following: securing the permanent membership of
UNSC; putting neighbourhood first; using the Indian Diaspora for investment and
diplomatic support; becoming the voice of Global South; creating a global
consensus on fight against terrorism, strengthening Indo-Pacific region for security
and growth; establishment of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and so on. BJP
seeks to elevate Bharat as a global soft power.
An ambitious but desirable promise that
BJP makes is to be the First Responder Bharat. This means, building on its
success of providing emergency relief material mainly vaccinations during
Covid, India seeks to promote its reputation as a trusted global partner and a
first responder in extending humanitarian assistance in disaster-relief
programmes. Equally promising is the focus on building cultural centres across
the globe to showcase Bharat’s rich culture and offer training in yoga,
ayurveda and classical music etc. BJP promises to present Bharat as the mother
of democracy. If they do so, it may silence the Indian as well as international
critics of the health of Indian democracy.
Congress begins its foreign policy
promises by strongly criticising BJP government’s handling of Chinese
intrusions in Ladakh, Galwan clash in 2020 and Indian forces not having access
to 26 out of 65 patrolling points, which is equivalent to 2000 sq mtrs in
Eastern Ladakh. Congress repeats their age-old approach of ‘continuity and
change’ in India’s foreign policy. Other references to India’s foreign policy
made by Congress, sound rhetorical except that they make a strong claim on
restoring status quo with China, a different approach to the conflict in Gaza,
and closer relationships with the neighbouring countries. Also, Congress
emphasises on building consensus on foreign policy. They claim that this was
the case since independence until BJP made notable departures from this
consensus.
Communication between political parties –
Ruling and the Opposition is essential in a democracy. Respect for dissent in
domestic and foreign policy is a hallmark of a robust democracy. That said,
there could be divergent opinions and approaches in policies including the
foreign policy. The consensus the Congress Party is referring to, perhaps
existed when Congress party was predominant with smaller opposition parties in
Indian politics.
At any rate, it is advisable to make
foreign policy an issue in elections. This will enhance the domestic
determinants of India’s foreign policy. There is no dearth of information
available to voters through the new media, the internet. It is just that
political parties should be willing to share their foreign policy strategies with
their voters. Before they do so, they need to educate themselves on the world
affairs. Many parties do not have a foreign policy cell in their party
structures. Congress party has one but not functional, what to talk of other
smaller and regional parties. Voters should also demand that political parties
should commit themselves to positions in India’s foreign policy.
Let us note that Prime Minister Modi made
a reference to Katchatheevu, an Islet between India and Sri Lanka; the latter
possessing it. That is the way to mobilise voters on a foreign policy issue
regardless of whether it was the right cause to take up since it is not being
reclaimed nor is it mentioned in BJP’s manifesto. Implementation of CAA is
another. These are the examples of how to use foreign policy in a competitive
electoral process. And this is the way to become a world power.---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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