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BPSE-142: India’s Foreign Policy in a Globalising World

BPSE-142: India’s Foreign Policy in a Globalising World

IGNOU Solved Assignment Solution for 2021-22

If you are looking for BPSE-142 IGNOU Solved Assignment solution for the subject India’s Foreign Policy in a Globalising World, you have come to the right place. BPSE-142 solution on this page applies to 2021-22 session students studying in BAPSH, BAG courses of IGNOU.

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Assignment Solution

Assignment Code: BPSE-142/ASST/TMA/2021-22

Course Code: BPSE-142

Assignment Name: India’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World

Year: 2021-2022

Verification Status: Verified by Professor



Marks: 100

Answer all questions in each Section



Assignment - I



Answer the following in about 500 words each. Each question carries 20 marks


Q1. Discuss the nature and types of determinants of India’s foreign policy.

Ans) Determinants of foreign policy are a range of unique elements that go into determining the  trajectory and direction of a country's external relations, ranging from its geophysical position to  the personality of its top leadership. While many of these factors are permanent in nature, many of  them have the capacity to undergo subtle alterations as times and circumstances change.


Geography, history, culture, and traditions, for example, are more or less indestructible indicators  of a country's existence. On the other hand, the nature and degree of economic development, the  personality of top leadership, the domestic environment, and the ideological orientations of a  specific government are all influences that change through time. At the same time, many of the  determinants of a country's foreign policy are fixed variables that cannot be modified at the  country's will, while a few of these characteristics can be adjusted to a specific necessity with fine  vision and diligent work. The axiom “a country can select friends, but not neighbours" best  exemplifies the above.


No country can change its neighbours, history, or cultural moorings, but it can modify the  trajectory and degree of its economic development, ideological preferences, internal environment,  and leadership personality, among other things. Finally, the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of  manipulating the determinants of a country's foreign policy in the long run to produce a  dramatically different image of its external affairs than in the past can be demonstrated.


To give an example, a number of countries in the world, such as India and China, used to be on the  periphery of international relations only a few decades ago. However, their phenomenal economic  growth, combined with manoeuvring of other factors of their foreign policy, has propelled them to  the forefront of current world politics, where they are referred to as ‘emerging’ powers, ‘rising’  powers, and ‘leading’ powers.


Internal factors, in this context, are those that have their origins within a country's borders.  Geography, history, tradition, culture, economic development, leadership style, domestic  environment, and so on are examples of such influences. For them, external influences include the  international environment, neighbouring country actions, and multilateral dynamics of international  politics, among others.


However, given the fact that what are defined as external variables are equally intricately tied to  the country's domestic policies, such a classification does not appear to be rational or compelling.  External factors in foreign policy are, in fact, a byproduct of measures taken as part of a country's  internal policies. As a result, a more scientific classification of determinants of a country's foreign  policy would be their enumeration on the basis of their importance in influencing external policy.


Q2. Discuss the significance of Non-alignment and Panchsheel as the founding principles of India’s foreign policy.

Ans) Policy of Non-Alignment

Non-alignment has remained the defining premise of India's foreign policy from its start in the  post-Independence period, despite being slightly out of date in modern times. This policy should  be considered as a creative response by a number of newly independent countries, notably India,  Egypt, and Indonesia, to the riveting backdrop of fierce Cold War besieging international relations  at the time.


Nonalignment was developed by the leaders of these countries not only as a safety valve to avoid  the seemingly insurmountable persuasions to join one of the military blocs, but also as a means of  ensuring autonomy in their foreign policy making after gaining their hard-won independence from  colonial masters. In these remarkable words, Jawaharlal Nehru, a primary creator of the policy of  non-alignment and a prime mover in India's foreign policy, describes the concept's nuanced  implications: "Non-alignment signifies a nation's attempt to keep itself aloof from military blocs." It  implies attempting to see things as objectively as possible, not from a military standpoint, though  that must be considered at times, but from an independent standpoint, with friendly relations with  all countries.


Nonalignment has been the guiding philosophy of India's foreign policy since its foundation. It  arguably served the country's national interests well during some of the most trying moments in  international affairs. Though doubts have been raised about the policy's continued relevance as the  guiding principle of India's foreign policy since the end of the Cold War and the disappearance of  the bipolar nature of the international scenario, it could be argued that non-alignment remains  relevant, albeit with a different locus and focus. As a result, the importance of non-alignment as a  foreign policy ideal in India has not diminished.


Panchsheel

While the idea of panchsheel was formed to serve as the foundations of India's contact with its  neighbours, the policy of non-alignment was created to serve as the intellectual marker of India’s foreign policy vis-a-vis the wider international relations. Panchsheel literally means "five ideals of  harmonious cohabitation." These principles were enshrined in the treaty that India and China  signed in order to chart the course of their ties.


Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-aggression; non-interference in  each other's internal affairs; mutually beneficial interactions based on equality; and peaceful  coexistence are the five principles of the panchsheel ideology. For Nehru, who appeared to be  indifferent to Chinese expansionist overtures to India, these beliefs were little short of articles of  faith. Consequently, despite the fact that strict adherence to the panchsheel principles has cost  India dearly in terms of substantive territorial loss and notional loss of face in the international  community, India continues to be guided by these principles in determining the course of its  relations with its neighbours.



Assignment - II



Answer the following questions in about 250 words each. Each question carries 10 marks.


Q1. Describe and discuss ‘Nehruvian Consensus.’

Ans) The 'Nehruvian Consensus’ was based on the values and beliefs that had emerged  throughout India's battle for independence. Gandhi's worldview embodied anti-racism, antiapartheid, and anti-imperialism ideals. Mahatma Gandhi saw political freedom as a vehicle for  achieving moral and cultural liberation, as well as the regeneration of Indian society and culture.


These Gandhian values and aspirations had been absorbed by Nehru, who combined them with  the concept of a modern India — sovereign and independent, on the path of rapid economic  development to free its people from poverty and hunger, and an India that would take its rightful  place in the international community. Among the principles that came to guide India's relations  with other countries were the strengthening of multilateral institutions and international law,  collective security, diplomacy, and dialogue instead of war and coercion, peaceful settlement of  disputes, disarmament, non-intervention, and respect for a nation's sovereignty and territorial  integrity.


The 'Nehruvian Consensus’ argument has yet to be resolved. India's non-aligned attitude in the  1950s and 1960s was seen by some as highly pragmatic and profoundly Realist. This was the best a  developing country could and would have done when faced with the challenges of national  integration, pluralist democracy, and planned economic development. Critics, on the other hand,  continue to point out the 'Nehruvian Consensus's flaws. It is accused of being utopian and  disconnected from the harsh reality of international relations. In the 1962 India-China war, Nehru  disregarded national security and led India to defeat.


Q2. What is Belt and Road Initiative? Explain

Ans) President Xi Jinping declared China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to be the "project of the  century" during its first meeting in 2017. The Belt and Road Initiative is a loosely organised group  with the goal of mobilising trillions of dollars in infrastructure investment across more than 60  countries. The BRI has a defensive as well as an offensive strategic objective for China. China has  surpassed the United States as the world's largest commodities importer and finished goods  exporter. 


Deterrence and sovereignty, democracy and openness are all aspects of today's world that limit  China's ability to dictate subjects and terms. The more the BRI becomes a multilateral initiative, the  more it binds Asian countries to China and Asians to one another. The resurgence of  multidirectional Silk Roads with no dominating state, from Russia and Turkey to Iran and Iran to  Myanmar and Thailand, represents a return to Asia's history, one marked by reverence rather than  supremacy. Nearly 5 billion people live in Asia, with about 3.5 billion of them not being Chinese.  Other Asians wish to live in a world that is not dominated by China. 


Many people believe India should have joined the BRI. However, India's primary concern at the  time of the BRI project in 2017 was that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would pass  through Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (POK). India may also have consented to China's recent  proposal for a trilateral economic corridor connecting Nepal, China, and India. India has withheld  from signing the trilateral agreement, whereas Nepal has signed it. It is concerned that China may  dump its commodities on India through Nepal. For the same reason, India hesitated to sign the  RCEP major trade treaty, which involves 16 nations, including both India and China. 


Q3. Write a note on Indus Water Treaty

Ans) The Indus Waters Treaty, negotiated by the World Bank, is a water-distribution agreement  between India and Pakistan to utilise the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries. On  September 19, 1960, it was signed in Karachi by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and  Pakistani President Ayub Khan. The Treaty gives India authority over the waters of the three  "eastern rivers,” the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej, which have a mean annual flow of 33 million acre-feet,  while Pakistan controls the waters of the three "western rivers," the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum,  which have a mean annual flow of 80 MAF.


India receives around 20% of the total water carried by the Indus system, while Pakistan receives  the remaining 80%. The pact permits India to use the western river waters for limited irrigation and  unlimited non-consumptive uses like as power generation, navigation, property floatation, and fish  culture, among other things. It gives out precise guidelines for India's construction projects along  the western rivers. In a spirit of love, friendliness, and collaboration, the treaty's preamble  recognises each country's rights and responsibility in making the best use of water from the Indus  system. This hasn't alleviated Pakistani suspicions that India may cause floods or droughts in the  country, particularly during times of war.


The river system's water rights were the subject of an Indo-Pakistani water dispute in 1948. Despite  fighting in multiple military engagements since the treaty's signing in 1960, India and Pakistan have  not fought in any water warfare. The majority of conflicts and disputes have been resolved using  legal procedures outlined in the treaty. Even though researchers admit the need to update key  technical standards and broaden the scope of the agreement to accommodate climate change, the  Indus Waters Treaty is considered one of the most successful water sharing endeavours in the  world today. 




Assignment - III




Write a short note on the following in about 100 words each. Each short note carries 6 marks.


Q1. SAARC

Ans) The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is a political and economic  organisation made up of eight South Asian countries. The charter was formally adopted in 1985 by  the heads of state of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In 2007,  Afghanistan became the SAARC's eighth member. 


The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation strives to promote economic  growth, social improvement, and cultural development throughout the region. SAARC cooperation  is built on five principles: sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in member states’ internal affairs, and mutual benefit. Regional cooperation Is  considered as a supplement to SAARC member states’ bilateral and international connections. 


Q2. United Nations

Ans) The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organisation whose mission is to ensure  international peace and security, foster cordial relations between nations, promote international  cooperation, and serve as a focal point for coordinating national efforts. It is the largest and most  well-known international organisation in the world.


After World War Il, the United Nations was  founded with the goal of preventing future hostilities, following the unsuccessful League of  Nations. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as their respective allies,  hindered the organization's objective to maintain world peace in its early decades. Its missions  have generally consisted of unarmed military observers and lightly armed troops tasked with  monitoring, reporting, and establishing confidence.


Q3. Act East policy

Ans) The goal of the “Act East Policy" is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties, and  strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region through ongoing engagement at  bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels, resulting in improved connectivity between the states of  the North Eastern region, including Arunachal Pradesh, and other countries in our region. 


Our Act East Policy has made India's North East a priority. AEP serves as a link between North East  India and the ASEAN region, including the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Efforts to expand and  strengthen connectivity of the Northeast with the ASEAN area through trade, culture, people -topeople relations, and physical infrastructure are all part of many bilateral and regional strategies.


Q4. Galwan valley conflict

Ans) On the 15th of June, Indian and Chinese troops clashed for six hours at patrolling post 14 in  the Galwan Valley's rugged region. The incident's initial cause is unknown, and both parties have  issued conflicting official accounts in the aftermath. According to Beijing, Indian troops attacked  Chinese troops first. While soldiers carry firearms, agreements prohibit the use of firearms due to  decades of tradition aimed to prevent an escalation.


However, the Chinese side is said to have iron rods, clubs and batons wrapped in barbed wire, and  clubs laced with nails. Up to 600 men were eventually engaged in combat with stones, batons, iron  rods, and other improvised weapons. The battles lasted up to six hours and were held in near-total  darkness. In its year-end review for 2020, India's Defence Ministry stated that China utilised  “unorthodox weapons."


Q5. Terrorism

Ans) Terrorism is still at the heart of relations with Pakistan. India has almost always reacted with  moderation and alerted the world community to the possibility of cross-border terrorism. The  strategy seeks to increase international pressure on Pakistan to permanently modify its behaviour.


In Pakistan, anti-India rhetoric is the path to electoral success, and rulers often use India bashing to  mask their own failings. Pakistan's government permits recognised terrorist organisations and their  leaders to freely operate and openly engage in anti-India propaganda and operations. India's main  concern is terrorism, Pakistan's is Kashmir, and the international community's is nuclear security  and stability.

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