Policy Watch: India’s Place in the World – July 2021

This issue of Policy Watch begins with an overview article on India’s relations with its neighborhood countries—SAARC and SAARC+, including Myanmar and Mauritius—providing context to examine recent developments. Notably, despite the “Neighbourhood First” policy being a declared priority of the government, these relationships have seen deterioration.

The second article delves into India’s relationship with Afghanistan, particularly in light of the imminent withdrawal of U.S. forces after two decades of presence. It highlights India’s diplomatic efforts to engage the Taliban in negotiations with Afghan authorities, even as the latter’s control remains limited to roughly 15% of the country. The piece underscores the strategic dilemma India faces in navigating this complex scenario.

The third article analyzes India-China relations through the lens of Kanti Bajpai’s recent book, India Versus China: Why They Are Not Friends. Curated articles explore both bilateral tensions and the triangular dynamic involving the U.S. One piece examines potential repercussions of India’s vocal stance against China at the recent G-7 Summit, where India participated as a guest. Additionally, a report from a web panel discussion features Yun Sun of the Stimson Center, who argued that China may need to demonstrate that aligning with the U.S. carries costs for India—a stark assertion reflecting hardening positions.

The fourth article assesses India-U.S. relations under the Biden administration, compiling insights from multiple sources. While the relationship has entered a new phase with some advancements, it also faces challenges in military, economic, and climate cooperation. Tensions over democracy and human rights remain latent flashpoints.

This issue was curated by Prof. Somnath Ghosh, Senior Visiting Fellow at RGICS, and the undersigned. Aimed at readers seeking more than a layperson’s understanding of India’s foreign policy dynamics, it offers a nuanced look at the forces shaping these critical relationships. We hope it serves this purpose effectively.