INDIAS NATIONAL INTERESTS AND DIPLOMATIC ACTIVISM: TOWARDS GLOBAL LEADERSHIP?

By OLIVER STUENKEL

Presented by : Manas Kothari , Nirav Fruitwala , Viren Patel

Introduction:
The fundamental shift of power towards Asia i.e. China and India. During the cold war , India was the only democratic regime that did not align with the West. Traditionally India was for the conflict with Pakistan , today it is routinely analysed in the context of a rising China . The need to understand Indias perspective has never been greater , and today no global challenge- be it climate change, nuclear proliferation or poverty reduction can be tackled successfully without Indias active contribution and engagement .

The Indian Paradox:

Reasons to be optimistic about India : Most dynamic economies driven by a growing group of sophisticated world class entrepreneurs. The government is ever confident for a permanent seat on UN security council and more responsibility in IMF and the World Bank . India has become worlds largest arms importers. its vibrant democracy , millennia old culture and benevolent standing help explain why the vast majority of international actors look kindly upon Indias rise . Difficulties India is facing in home : With over 300 million Indians living below the poverty line, growing economic inequalities. The Maoist Naxalite insurgency, Kashmir represents a bleeding wound that significantly diverts foreign policy makers attention , A political deadlock, a historic protest movement (led by Anna Hazare) and a severe leadership crisis in government.

Indias biggest weakness is its incapacity to exercise regional leadership : Far from having a clear and attractive vision for the region . Intra regional trade remains minimal . Democracy as a political priority is largely absent from Indias foreign policy : India is surrounded by unstable and often autocratic regimes, which may react negatively to democracy promotion . Can India be a GLOBAL POWER without being a REGIONAL POWER? India simply cannot leapfrog problems in its vicinity to play on the world stage . India in the past attempted to ignore its neighbourhood. The last decade indicates Indias sphere of influence has grown considerably.

Is Asia Big Enough For Two World Power

A rising China and a rising India have begun to claim influence over the same regions 6 aspects make these trends worrisome They have been on war in 1962 and resulting border dispute is yet to be resolved . Asia lacks strong regional institutions that could resolve future problems . Both countries are extremely resource hungry and could soon clash over them in times of scarcity . Both will be the first and third world economies , so any armed conflict between the two would plunge the world into recession Once Indias growth and economic intentions reach Chinese dimensions , competition is set to intensify between the two . They both possess nuclear weapons , which points to potentially disastrous consequences for its combined 2.5 billion inhabitants .

India - Other Countries

India- Afghanistan
India has strengthened its economic presence in Afghanistan, and its installation have several times been the target of terrorist attack there, possibly planned in Pakistan

Pakistan
Most Indians believe that a failed Pakistani state is not in India's interest, as nuclear weapons could fall into the hand of radical Islamists.

United States
United States and India signed a Nuclear agreement, a direct result of the United State belief that the US could exploit an emerging rivalry between China and India

Conclusion
India risk losing the support of developing countries that have long formed the core of Indians followership as no longer see India defending poor countries interest at international level. Instead of focusing on states, as it has often done in past decades, Indias foreign policy is likely to become more pragmatic.