Understanding India

If there is one word that has been used endlessly to describe India's foreign policy, it is 'continuity'. For almost four decades during the Cold War, the official discourse in India centred around non-alignment while the policy, in practice, maintained a distinct pro-Soviet tilt. For an even longer period, South Block had a clear framework with which to deal with the immediate neighbourhood – Southasia was India's business and other countries, including the big powers, were expected to keep their hands off the region. It was, as a commentator once remarked, India's Monroe doctrine – at least in relation to those countries that did not have the political or military muscle to challenge India's self-proclaimed regional superpower status.

While it is true that there has rarely been a drastic and sudden overhaul in the way India conducts its external relations, discreet shifts have ocurred during critical phases which have become apparent over time. Such a process of redefinition is underway in the post 9/11 period, one which is refashioning India's relations with the global hegemon, powerful regional blocs and erstwhile rivals all at one go. It is essential for Southasia's smaller countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka – who share the fact of complex and often bitter relationships with India, to understand the evolving geo-political environment, if they wish not to be left bereft of strategic options.