Speech by Foreign Secretary on India's Foreign Policy at IFRI, Paris, on 4February 2009
I was asked to speak on India's foreign policy. Rather than cataloguing India'srelationships, I thought I would speak briefly on the general characteristics ofIndia's foreign policy, and then discuss in a little more detail two of ourpresent preoccupations: how the strategic shape of the world may be affected bythe present world economic crisis; and, the situation in India's neighborhood. Iwould then be most interested in hearing your views and comments, and couldanswer questions.
Characteristics
At their most general, the goals of India's foreign policy are no different fromthose of other countries – we seek peace and prosperity, or security anddevelopment. Our foreign policy seeks to encourage and create an externalenvironment that furthers these goals.
At the same time, India's particular nature, history, geography andcircumstances shape the unique cast of India's foreign policy and give itcertain particular characteristics: