Setbacks in Indian Foreign and Security Interests

Source-This post on Setbacks in Indian Foreign and Security Interests has been created based on the article “On Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan, why was India taken by surprise?” published in “The Indian Express” on 12 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

Context- In the past three years, India has experienced major setbacks with three neighboring countries. These issues raise questions about whether they stem from errors by policymakers or reveal deeper problems in the policy-making structures.

What are the recent setbacks in the Region?

1) Bangladesh: On August 5, 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned amid violent protests and sought refuge abroad. This sudden change complicates India’s strategic relations with Bangladesh, an important partner in its regional policy.

2) Maldives New Leadership: On November 2023, Mohammed Muizzu became President of the Maldives, replacing Ibrahim Solih, who had built strong ties with India. Muizzu may change Maldives’ focus from India to China. This can alter the strategic landscape in the Indian Ocean.

Read More- India-Maldives Relations- Explained Pointwise

3) Afghanistan Taliban Takeover- In August 2021, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who was a key focus of India’s diplomatic efforts, fled as the Taliban took over. This sudden change disrupted India’s interests and investments in Afghanistan, complicating its regional strategy.

What are the Structures of Policymaking in India?

1) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)– The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), managed by the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), handles India’s foreign policy. Its diplomats are experts in regional and global issues and offer insights into the political, social, and economic trends of their countries.

2) External Intelligence Service- Founded in 1968, India’s external intelligence service is important for gathering information that affects national interests. It helps monitor developments in neighboring countries and ensures coordinated responses.

3) National Security Structure:

A) Evolution: After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, the national security framework was updated with the creation of the National Security Council (NSC), the Strategic Policy Group, and the role of the National Security Advisor (NSA).

B) Current Structure: The National Security Council (NSC) and the National Security Advisor (NSA), supported by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), coordinate strategic and security tasks. The NSCS has expanded to include several Deputy NSAs and an Additional NSA, showing its growing importance.

What are the issues in India’s foreign policy?

1) Turf Issues: Even with sophisticated security and intelligence frameworks, problems related to jurisdiction and coordination, often referred to as “turf” issues, can result in policy failures.

2) Surprise and Preparedness- The sudden political changes in Afghanistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh highlight concerns about India’s readiness. Even with extensive systems in place, India struggled to predict and respond quickly to these rapid changes.

What should be the way forward?

1) Improving Strategic Capabilities -To address these issues and improve India’s strategic capabilities, it’s essential to thoroughly examine policy-making structures and internal coordination mechanisms.

2) Collaboration-There should be a focus on improving collaboration between various agencies and refining strategies to better manage regional and global dynamics.

3) Political Reflection- India’s political and security sectors need to reflect seriously on these issues without engaging in political blame. Given the seriousness of the challenges, it is essential to focus on constructive discussions and improvements in policymaking.

Question for practice

What recent challenges has the region faced? What are the problems in India’s foreign policy?