EMOTION has no place in good foreign policy," says former external affairs minister and Janata Dal leader I.K. Gujral. For years, India's foreign policy has been charted haphazardly, with Pakistan being a prime example of where it has remained reactive.
But Pakistan apart, other foreign policy and security issues have rarely figured in a big way in elections. However, no political party can afford to ignore the instinctive emotions generated by neighbours like Pakistan and issues like the Bomb while formulating its foreign policy. Of late, there has been a greater public awareness, a much deeper and informed debate on foreign policy and defence matters. While domestic issues may dominate the election campaign, political parties do have to answer questions on external affairs.
