| ID | 076844 |
| Title Proper | Balancing Interests and Values |
| Other Title Information | India's Struggle with Democracy Promotion |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Raja Mohan, C |
| Publication | 2007. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | As India celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence, a paradox stands out. Much of the world sees a profound commitment to democracy amidst bewildering diversity as the defining feature of modern India. Yet, democracy as a political priority has largely been absent from India's foreign policy. New Delhi's conspicuous lack of emphasis on democracy in its engagement with the world is largely a consequence of the Cold War's impact on South Asia and India's nonaligned impulses in the early years of its independence. It attached more weight to solidarity with fellow developing countries and the defense of its own national security interests without a reference to ideology at the operational level.
Since the end of the Cold War, however, supporting democracy abroad as an objective has begun to factor into India's policymaking. This priority has been triggered by intensive engagement with the United States since the early 1990s. In the final days of the Clinton administration and through subsequent terms of the Bush administration, Washington has emphasized the importance of India as the world's largest democracy, underlined the role of shared political values in transforming bilateral relations, and explored options for working with New Delhi on the promotion of democracy worldwide. India has in turn confronted new challenges, such as potential failed states in the region; managing consequences of internal conflicts within its smaller neighbors; and if possible, nudging these countries toward democratic evolution. As an emerging great power in its own right, India has also been increasingly called on to contribute to international peace and security, which in the contemporary world increasingly focuses on conflicts within states.
Among these external impulses, the question of India's political values and their role in the conduct of India's international relations are bound to figure more prominently in the future policy discourse in New Delhi. Yet, the question remains: Will democracy become a more important natural component of future Indian foreign policy as many in the West hope? |
| `In' analytical Note | Washington Quarterly Vol. 30, No.3; Summer 2007: p 99-116 |
| Journal Source | Washington Quarterly Vol. 30, No.3; Summer 2007: p 99-116 |
| Key Words | India Rising ; India ; Foreign Policy ; India - Foreign Policy |