Chairperson: Dr. Arvind Gupta

A 40-member delegation of the South Africa National Defence College (SA NDC) undergoing Executive National Security Programme (ENSP), headed by Commandant of SA NDC, R Adm (JG) Laura Van Vuuren, visited IDSA on May 23, 2011. Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Arvind Gupta gave a briefing on IDSA and Indian foreign policy. He informed that IDSA has been an important part of national debates on security, especially nuclear issues; has been responsible for the growth of strategic community in India and also has strong linkages with strategic community abroad.

On Indian foreign policy (IFP), Dr. Gupta outlined that it is guided by two primary objectives: one, securing development of the country, which is holistic and also includes national interest. The other is maintaining national security including human security. He explained that Indian foreign policy is shaped by the Indian struggle for independence from colonial powers. Leaders of the freedom movement were mostly Western educated and were familiar with virtues of Western democracy. Therefore, the Western values of rule of law, equality and justice and the Indian values of non-violence, universal brotherhood and tolerance find place in the independent India’s political system as well as foreign policy.

At the same time, universal brotherhood helped in the formation of Afro-Asian solidarity starting with the Asian Relations Conference in 1947. Again, the idea of non-violence was transformed at the international level into Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) which is another cardinal principle of the IFP. A corollary to the NAM is the South-South cooperation which was strongly advocated by India among the developing countries of the South.

The Cold War period witnessed many challenges to the country’s independent development and sovereignty in a period marked by blocs and alliances. Despite these drawbacks and uncertainties, India successfully managed its democracy and constitutionalism. It has also followed the mixed economy model wherein public and private sector were allowed to coexist. With the end of cold war and coping with new and contemporary developments, India liberalized its economy and undertook significant reforms starting 1991. This economic liberalization has also influenced the IFP in terms of its Look East Policy. The 1998 nuclear tests resulted in an array of sanctions against India; however, these sanctions did not deter India from pursuing its strategic policies. In 2005, India negotiated and signed a nuclear deal with the US on energy security. By this deal, India and the US came together and India began to get integrated with the international community.

On the other hand, India has called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, as it does not reflect the changed realities. Simultaneously, India started rediscovering the continent of Africa with which its relationship is very ancient. At the same time, India’s engagement with the Southeast Asia was facilitated by its Look East Policy; its engagement with the Central Asia also materialized with regard to energy and naval security wherein Indian Navy’s role comes into play. All these countries have hugely benefited by India’s growth story in IT and service sectors.

However, there are certain challenges for India’s security and its foreign policy. Its neighbourhood is presently unstable. Even in its extended neighbourhood like Africa, there is democratic upsurge. As a result, India is focusing on developing linkages. With China, there are certain disputes as well as areas of cooperation.

Brig (retd) Rumel Dahiya remarked that India’s foreign policy and defence policy go hand in hand. He clarified that India wants stable world order and peaceful neighbourhood. But there are certain challenges: difficult neighbourhood, some among them nuclear; internal security situation—unequal growth and poverty right from independence; instability in the neighbourhood and the Gulf impacting energy security, trade and diaspora. There are certain international threats as well like piracy, drug trade, and proliferation; maritime security issue, and resource (energy) security.

Brig Dahiya was confident that the Indian armed forces are well equipped to tackle these challenges. He clarified that the Indian defence forces are among the top five in the world in terms of numbers. Yet, its defence expenditure is well under control and its share in GDP is in single digit. Moreover, two-third of India’s defence equipment is imported and lot needs to be done to attain self-reliance. Most importantly, military in India is apolitical. It is the microcosm of Indian nation in terms of its character and composition. Equal chances have been given to all irrespective of their caste or community or sex in the armed forces. However, there are issues like shortage of staff and monetary support. Despite this, India never followed any offensive policy or expansionist policy. Its policy is basically a policy of defensive deterrence. Brig Dahiya also dwelled on the role of Indian armed forces in UN Peacekeeping Operations especially in Congo and Sudan in the recent times.

In her presentation, Ms. Ruchita Beri argued that Africa as a continent brings lot of hope to India. There has been a strong legacy of colonial experience for both Africa and India. India was in the forefront of anti-apartheid struggle and was the first country to take the issue to the United Nations. At present, the relations between India and the African continent are very strong. At present, the trade between India and Africa is to the tune of $46 billion. In terms of engaging Africa, India has launched several initiatives in recent years. It began with the EXIM Bank’s Focus Africa policy in 2002. Other initiatives include TEAM. The relationship is not only bilateral between India and African nations, its regional and pan-African level as well. An example is the India-Africa Forum Summit that was inaugurated in 2008. The second summit of the Forum is currently in progress at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia wherein Indian Prime Minister is a participant.

In terms of peacekeeping in Africa, India has been the largest contributor and its contribution has expanded to include training and capacity building. India is also trying to build common approaches with Africa. In response, the South African President announced that his country should be considered as a gateway to Africa. To conclude, India’s Africa Policy has an element of uniqueness. The policy is based on partnership and increased capacity building. However, in recent years there has been a return of new colonialism to Africa with external powers like China rigorously making efforts to acquire resources of the African region.

The presentations were followed by a thorough Q&A Session in which questions were asked on various issues like whether China and India’s interests collide in Africa; caste system and its role in Indian polity; how to control brain drain and bring researchers back into country from abroad. It was clarified to the visiting delegation that no rivalry is perceived with China from Indian side with respect to Africa other than demand for resources. Moreover, the competition between these two countries for resources in Africa is a fair trade competition. Regarding the caste system, historical evolution of class-caste system was given to explain how the class system was degenerated into a caste system. Remedies were also suggested to break this barrier in terms of increased urbanization, qualitative education, employment opportunities, economic development, and more importantly inter-caste marriages. On brain drain, it was clarified that earlier many Indians moved to abroad in search of better employment opportunities because of a lack of such opportunities in India. However, the recent trend is that India is able to woo these NRIs and is taking effective measures to allow reverse brain drain into India.

There were also questions on fast-growing economy versus haves and have-nots and its impact on national security. The visitors were informed that India’s growth model is inclusive growth wherein the benefits of growth are distributed to all sections as far as possible. Further, there are some centrally sponsored schemes like MNREGS which cater to benefit the poor and underdeveloped. To ensure its delivery and accountability, there are legal measures like Right to Information. At the same time, it is to be recalled here that the Gini-coefficient for India is less adverse than that of the US, Pakistan or China.

On question related to human security and the role of Ministry of Defence in providing shelter to homeless, the visitors were informed about the plans for urban renewal within India. It was pointed out that this issue is the responsibility of the civil administration and military has no role to play. However, the Military has often supported the civil administration in disaster management i.e., rescue and rehabilitation missions during floods, earthquakes and cyclones etc. Towards the end, the session deliberated on the Indian perception of the reforms at the UN and BRICS.

Report prepared by Mr. Babjee Pothuraju, Research Assistant, Institute Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.