India’s independence was achieved on the heels of the Cold War, a time where the superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union competed. However, India took a noticeably different path by aligning itself with the Non-Alignment movement. India’s first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, proclaimed India as a part of this group where they commit to actions supporting peace.1
In the 1960s and 70s, India engaged in balancing its relations with other countries, but its international position waned with wars against China and Pakistan along with the souring of geopolitical relations in South Asia. Especially with Pakistan’s support by China and the US, India sought Soviet assistance in 1971. This was followed by an effort to improve relations with other countries in general (e.g. China, the US, etc.) by the 1980s, while further engaging in South Asia.2
In the 1990s, the end of the Cold War forced a shift in India’s foreign policy due to the displacement of its core, non-alignment purpose. Especially with the Soviet Union’s fall, India sought stronger ties with the United States and developed countries in general. The country also forged better ties with Central, Southeast, and East Asian states. Although India’s non-alignment opinion against the Global North’s dominance still persists, there are also differences with other Global South countries concerning national interests. 2
Footnotes
1. Nehru, J. (1961). Conference of Non-Aligned Nations. Speech.
Hi Peter,
I find the current state of India geopolitics fascinating. In my opinion, we hear so much about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, but the most prominent threat potentially lies in the India Pakistan conflict, both being heavily nuclearised. I would have liked to have seen a little more on the ramifications of that.
Great summary of the IR of India though.
Jesse