Explain the impact of coalition politics on India's Foreign Policy since late 1990's.

The Pre-Coalition Era: A Baseline

Before the 1990s, India’s foreign policy, largely shaped by Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of Non-Alignment, was characterized by a degree of consistency and a relatively centralized decision-making process. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) played a central role, and foreign policy initiatives were often driven by long-term strategic considerations. This allowed for a proactive and assertive foreign policy, exemplified by India’s role in the Non-Aligned Movement and its response to regional crises.

Impact of Coalition Politics on Foreign Policy

1. Decision-Making & Speed

Coalition governments inherently involve protracted negotiations and consensus-building. This significantly slowed down the decision-making process in foreign policy. Issues requiring immediate responses, such as border disputes or international crises, often faced delays due to the need to consult with coalition partners. For example, the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, while ultimately successful, involved navigating sensitivities within the coalition led by the BJP.

2. Policy Consistency & Continuity

The diverse ideologies and priorities of coalition partners often led to inconsistencies in foreign policy. A policy initiated by one government might be revised or abandoned by a subsequent coalition with different priorities. This lack of continuity undermined India’s credibility and predictability on the international stage. The UPA government’s shift in focus towards improving relations with Pakistan, after a period of strained ties under the NDA, exemplifies this point.

3. Regional Focus & Priorities

Coalition partners representing specific regional interests often pushed for prioritizing relations with countries in their respective regions. This led to a more fragmented and less coherent regional policy. For instance, parties with strong ties to Nepal or Sri Lanka exerted pressure to prioritize these relationships, sometimes at the expense of broader strategic goals.

4. Constraints on Strategic Autonomy

The need to appease coalition partners sometimes constrained India’s strategic autonomy. Decisions on issues like voting in international forums or signing strategic agreements were often influenced by the concerns of smaller parties within the coalition. This limited India’s ability to pursue its national interests without considering the domestic political implications.

5. Examples of Coalition Impact

• Indo-US Nuclear Deal (2005-2008): The UPA government faced significant opposition from its Left partners regarding the nuclear deal with the US. The deal’s fate hung in the balance until the Left parties withdrew support, allowing the government to proceed.
• Relations with Myanmar: Different coalition partners have held varying views on India’s engagement with Myanmar, impacting the consistency of India’s policy towards that country.
• Border Disputes with China: While the core issue remained consistent, the approach to negotiations and public rhetoric varied depending on the composition of the ruling coalition.

Evolution & Recent Trends

While coalition politics continued to influence Indian foreign policy in the 2000s and 2010s, the emergence of stronger single-party governments, like the BJP government since 2014, has led to a greater degree of decisiveness and consistency. However, even with a majority government, the need to manage diverse domestic constituencies and navigate complex geopolitical realities continues to shape India’s foreign policy choices.