Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India’s Foreign Policy, Issue: Challenges to India’s foreign policy in the Asian context.
Context:
PM Narendra Modi’s Asian tour to Tokyo (bilateral visit with Japan) and Tianjin (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – SCO Summit) offers opportunity to strengthen partnerships with Japan and cautiously manage China relations.
Key Highlights:
India’s Diplomatic Landscape:
With the US:
- Current tensions, especially in trade and strategic differences.
- 2024: India’s exports to US crossed $88 billion (more than 4 times India’s combined exports to Russia and China).
- US remains India’s most important trading partner despite political frictions.
With Russia & China:
- Limited trade: Russia & China together imported only $15 billion each from India in 2024.
- Trade imbalance: Surplus of $60 billion with Russia and $100 billion with China, but overall engagement limited.
- Manufacturing vulnerability: India depends on China for critical equipment (e.g., tunnel-boring machines for Himalayan projects). It highlights gaps in India’s “Make in India” strategy.
With Japan: Strategic partnership is deepening with Japan. As both have shared concerns over China’s assertiveness, Japan is seen as critical for India’s economic & technological rise.
The SCO Dimension:
- SCO is often seen as an inner-Asian counterweight to US influence.
- India’s role:
- Engages despite discomfort with China and Pakistan.
- Cautious approach due to SCO contradictions.
- Key contradictions within SCO:
- China–Pakistan nexus continues to trouble India.
- SCO avoids addressing terrorism & regional and bilateral disputes.
- Members differ on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – India does not endorse it.
Regional Geopolitical Dynamics:
South Asia:
- India’s neighbourhood (except Bhutan & Bangladesh) is associated with SCO.
- China’s influence:
- China is backing Dhaka’s interest in SCO.
- It is increasing presence in Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka.
Pakistan:
- SCO often gives Pakistan platform to highlight Kashmir.
- However, Pakistan faces internal crises and stalled diplomacy.
Russia:
- India’s partnership with Russia is limited due to Moscow’s growing dependence on Beijing after Ukraine war.
Opportunities for India:
Challenges for India:
Conclusion:
Modi’s Asian tour is crucial for balancing bilateral progress with Japan and multilateral engagement at SCO.Tangible outcomes are more likely from Tokyo than Tianjin.India’s strategy must focus on Deepening partnerships with like-minded countries, Pragmatic engagement with adversaries in SCO and reducing manufacturing dependence on China.
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