A Study of Contrasts in the Nehru and Modi Doctrine in Indian Foreign Policy

Abstract

In this article, an attempt has been made to assess the changing paradigm of India's foreign policy between the Nehru and Modi era. Foreign Policy is a tool by which a country protects and promotes its national interest. It comprises the obligation to defend the country's national security, attempts to maximise economic benefits and the effectiveness of power in the international arena. India's foreign policy has also been growing with the aforementioned reasons and designed by the government through the high level decision making processes. We can see the changing dynamics in Indian foreign policy from Nehru to Modi. Indian independence was achieved from a protracted anti-colonial struggle led by Indian National Congress (INC). Therefore, the Indian National Congress leader Pt. Nehru adopted non-alignment policy during Cold War era to protect the sovereignty and interest of India. Besides, Nehru believes in peaceful co-existence, friendship and cooperation. After Nehru, the other landmark foreign policy maker of India was Indira Gandhi. But unlike her father Pt. Nehru, her approach was more realistic then idealistic. Modi's ‘act east policy’ and the ‘neighbourhood first’ policy are some important contributions in the foreign policy of India. The present article makes a fresh analysis which would help to understand the challenges that a rapidly evolving and changing global setting poses.