Is India’s foreign policy strategic enough?

Is India’s foreign policy strategic enough?

The foreign policy of a country reflects the position a country possesses or aims to achieve. Many of us feel that India doesn’t take a strong enough stand against the activities of neighbouring countries or it doesn’t give suitable and strong reply at various international platforms. These incidents provoke questions on our foreign policy being strategic enough.

For

1. Having a strategic foreign policy lets you maintain good relations even with the rival countries. We have been able to do this very effectively. We have signed a nuclear deal with US while accruing nuclear submarines from Russia.
2. We have been able to maintain good relationship with both Palestine and Israel, two deadly enemies. Thanks to our strategic foreign policy.
3. Many people accuse the foreign policy of not being strong enough against Pakistan. Every country will have some notorious elements but you can not stop the dialogue with the Government for them. This will further harm the country.
4. Strategising a strong foreign policy is like playing a game of chess where you have to bear in mind the position of all other pieces on the board. You can not react to each and every move of the opponent.

Against

1. As the citizens of this country we expect our foreign policy to help India become economically powerful, possess better military, security & political strength against cross border terrorism and become global power with maximum number of youth in a country to work. Unfortunately, we have not been a success in any of these arenas.
2. Not just China and Pakistan, anti-India sentiments are now erupting even in Srilanka, Nepal and Bangladesh also. We have not been able to contain them.
3. We do not react amply to the cross border terrorism from Pakistan or the incursions from China.