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Role of Narratives in India's Foreign Policy
Anakha S Thampy
20 February 2024
IRGA Jan-Feb 2024 Issue
Winner of the SSIS All India Students' Research Conclave 2023
The paper proposes to focus on domestic political narratives as a tangent that influences the country's foreign policy-making and explores how it helps the country develop a discourse on the world stage, as a means to examine the role of narratives in Indian foreign policy.
Keywords: Narratives, Domestic Politics, Foreign Policy, Election, Public Opinion, Party Ideology, Media, Public Diplomacy
Image Credits: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-stunning-result-in-indias-elections
Introduction
Narratives, or the stories that civilizations tell themselves about their past, present, and future, have an intricate role in influencing a country's foreign policy. It serves as a significant tool in international relations, influencing how a country views itself and is regarded by others on a global scale. As the world's largest democracy and a major global participant, India has a distinct and complicated set of narratives that shape its foreign policy strategies. These are not isolated stories but are ones that are firmly anchored in the nation's rich history, diverse culture, and ever-changing political scene.
The idea that India's foreign policy is not formed in isolation from its domestic setting is at the center of this inquiry. Among other factors, elections, public opinion, and party ideology influence the narratives that India projects on the world stage. These narratives, in turn, determine the country's diplomatic postures, alliances, and interactions with other countries. Therefore, understanding how domestic narratives affect India's foreign policy is critical, as it also sheds light on the deeper motives that determine the country's approach to international affairs.
Elections, as a pillar of Indian democracy, add dynamism to the foreign policy scene. They have the ability to usher in new leadership and ideals, which have the potential to drastically alter India's global outlook. Similarly, public opinion, which is often dynamic and multifaceted, can be a powerful influence, forcing governments to change their foreign policy narratives to match citizens' ambitions and concerns. The ideologies and political orientations of India's political parties complicate matters even further, determining the narratives that the country produces in its interactions with the rest of the world. As a result, the study focuses primarily on these three factors. The discussion then proceeds by examining historical and contemporary case studies, as well as a thorough examination of public discourse, media representations, and government initiatives, in order to unravel the complex relationship between domestic political narratives and Indian foreign policy.
Theoretical foundation
We sometimes question what would explain foreign policy if it were not for domestic politics. Isn't foreign policy simply a foreign country's domestic policies? The theoretical frameworks that combine state motives, perceptions, domestic political institutions, public opinion, and political culture, such as neoclassical realism and constructivism (Kaarbo, 2015), provide the foundation of this questioning. As a result, the relationship between internal politics and their impact on India's foreign policy is not new, but it is a complicated and diverse endeavor that has been extensively examined in academic literature.
Scholars including Gideon Rose argue that leaders' views of the domestic political landscape have a significant impact on their foreign policy decisions. This point of view emphasizes how the need to maintain domestic support can lead to specific foreign policy narratives and actions. Neoclassical realism integrates systemic and domestic variables, emphasizing how leaders' assessments of the domestic political scene influence their foreign policy decisions significantly.
Similarly, the Two-Level Games framework adds to the dynamic interplay between domestic narratives and India's foreign policy, implying that leaders engage in strategic interactions at both the domestic and international levels, with domestic politics constraining or enabling their decisions. From the standpoint of two-level games, executives are viewed as "chief negotiators" who must ultimately get domestic support at the ratification stage (Eugénia Conceiço-Heldt & Patrick Mello, 2017). Meanwhile, constructivism emphasizes the impact of ideational elements, demonstrating how domestic political views, norms, and values shape foreign policy narratives.
Furthermore, the media, public opinion, elite ideologies, and bureaucratic politics can all help to shape public opinion, which in turn influences political leaders' decisions. As a result, these theoretical viewpoints weave a rich tapestry that adds to our understanding of how domestic politics impact foreign policy narratives, further demonstrating the delicate interplay between international and domestic forces in creating foreign policy decisions.
Domestic Political Factors
To better comprehend the importance of narratives in domestic politics, three aspects are considered - elections, public opinion, and party ideology. Each of these is then elaborated upon with case studies in order to further draw the correlation that the paper seeks to posit.
National elections play an important role in shaping India's foreign policy narratives by determining the composition of the government and establishing the foreign policy preferences of the ruling party or coalition. These discourses are frequently shaped by campaign promises and election commitments, which link them with domestic objectives, voter demands, and issues of national pride. During elections, public opinion, media influence, and the need to reconcile foreign duties with domestic interests all collide, and leaders aim to align their stance with the electorate's views in order to guarantee political success.
For example, the 1998 BJP government's nuclear testing, the 2004 Congress-led government's pursuit of the Indo-US nuclear deal, the 2014 BJP-led government's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the 2019 BJP's emphasis on national security, and the 2020 Bihar elections that had an impact on India-Nepal relations. On each of these occasions, winning parties' or coalitions' electoral mandates and campaign pledges played a critical role in determining India's foreign policy decisions, illustrating the interconnection of domestic politics and international engagement.
When leaders pay attention to their electorate's sentiments and inclinations, public opinion becomes an important part of foreign policy formulation and discourse. As a result, foreign policy narratives frequently fit with popular feelings and domestic concerns, with leaders relying on public opinion to justify their international views. Public opinion surveys, polls, and case studies are frequently used in this research to examine the impact of public sentiments on foreign policy.
The Indo-US nuclear accord of 2008 is one such important case study. India's public opinion was influential in establishing the foreign policy narrative surrounding this accord. Public opinion was mixed, with some citizens concerned about India's nuclear sovereignty and reliance on the United States. To secure public support, political leaders needed to address these issues and present a persuasive argument for the deal. On the other side, the country has also been affected by popular opinion on trade agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), leading to the country's withdrawal from negotiations at first.
As a result, public sentiment influences discourses and policy decisions, with leaders striving to match their foreign policy with the preferences and concerns of the electorate. However, it is critical to recognize that the Indian government's response to public opinion in foreign policy decisions would be characterized by a difficult balance between heeding public sentiment and pursuing strategic goals. Because of their concern for long-term strategic goals, international commitments, and diplomatic connections, leaders are frequently considered to pursue an alignment that may not necessarily convert into immediate policy moves.
Ideologies of political parties in India are another factor that has a significant impact on foreign policy narratives, altering the country's international interactions in diverse ways. Foreign policy narratives in India differ amongst political parties, with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) emphasizing nationalism, strategic alliances, and economic growth, whilst the Indian National Congress (INC) has traditionally favored non-alignment and multilateralism. Leftist groups emphasize independence and socialism, while regional parties emphasize regional concerns and identity politics, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emphasizes climate and environment, and religious or ethnocentric parties may emphasize ties to certain communities. These distinctions represent India's different perspectives and priorities, which then shape its foreign policy narratives and influence priorities, values, and aims in international interactions.
Apart from these three key aspects in the domestic arena, the role and discourse established by the Indian media, as well as the country's public diplomacy, are noteworthy. The diversity of the Indian media landscape, with both mainstream and regional channels, each with its own perspectives and target audiences, allows for the formation of a variety of narratives and opinions that influence the country's foreign policy problems. It operates as a conduit for official narratives while also serving as a watchdog, providing critical analysis and accountability by defining agendas, shaping public opinion, and influencing government messages. The influence of the media ranges from shaping international perceptions to involving the public in foreign policy debates. The Indian government's significant public diplomacy activities have also effectively shaped and communicated foreign policy narratives on the international stage. Especially given the importance of public diplomacy in influencing the global opinions of India and furthering its foreign policy objectives. Digital diplomacy, for example, has grown in popularity, with the Ministry of External Affairs engaging directly with worldwide audiences through official social media accounts. Twitter and Facebook are being used to broadcast foreign policy narratives, provide real-time information, and engage in public diplomacy activities, encouraging a direct and global reach.
C. Raja Mohan, in his book "Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific," points out that the nuclear deal was "a classic case of how the domestic politics of the two countries can come to dominate a vital strategic relationship." Despite substantial opposition from many sectors, the agreement was pursued, a move influenced by the INC's political considerations as well as the broader purpose of pursuing India's energy and economic interests on the global stage. Another example of domestic politics influencing Indian foreign policy is India's stance on climate change agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
In their study "Climate Change Politics in India: State, Society, and the Environment," Rajesh Basrur and Manish Thapa highlight that India's views in international climate discussions have been impacted by the country's energy demands, developmental objectives, and local pressure. They emphasize "strong public opinion on issues of environment and ecology in India, which is recognized by political leaders," demonstrating how domestic public sentiment impacts India's climate change policy and international engagement.
Global Responses
India's foreign policy narratives are not only a reflection of its ideals and ambitions, but they also play a key role in determining its international standing and ties with other countries. These narratives influence strategic positioning, regional diplomacy, economic engagements, global governance roles, and so on, all of which contribute to India's worldwide prominence and influence. Other nations' reactions to variations in Indian foreign policy narratives caused by internal political causes have varied depending on the nature of the change and the countries involved. For example, the US viewed India's shift in foreign policy as a chance to expand bilateral ties and develop strategic collaboration, whereas China reacted more cautiously to India's increased involvement with the US. Or for that matter, how countries were seen to react in various ways when it came to India's enhanced relations with Israel. While the US and Israel welcomed this development, Arab countries became more cautious. As a result, we can deduce how other countries' responses to shifts in Indian foreign policy narratives, driven by domestic political factors, vary widely, ranging from support and collaboration to caution, skepticism, or even diplomatic tensions, reflecting the complex dynamics of international relations and the evolving landscape of India's foreign policy.
Challenges
As pointed out in the paper, the relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy in India is complex, and there are significant problems and restrictions that affect this involvement. One significant difficulty is the possibility of inconsistency and abrupt shifts in foreign policy narratives as a result of the political cycles and changing leadership that were mentioned as factors impacting Indian foreign policy. The country's dynamic, diversified, and multiparty political scene can also contribute to a fragmented approach to foreign policy.
Coordination and consistency in foreign policy narratives can be difficult when different political parties hold power at various levels of government. This diversity of views and goals can make projecting a coherent, consistent foreign policy image on the world stage challenging. Planning for challenges such as climate change, security, or economic cooperation, in particular, necessitates long-term commitment and strategic thinking, which can be hampered by the short-term concentration of domestic politics.
Another constraint is credibility. India's foreign policy narratives can be regarded as being affected by domestic political reasons, generating concerns about the country's dependability as a partner. Inconsistencies or shifts in positions on critical international issues might erode other countries' trust, potentially hampering India's diplomatic effectiveness. As India wants to play a larger role in global governance and international negotiations, building and sustaining credibility becomes critical.
Conclusion
The study recognizes the undeniable importance of domestic politics in generating foreign policy narratives and hence advances the topic by emphasizing domestic policy factors in order to delve into the underlying role of narratives in Indian foreign policy. In doing so, it presents a number of crucial facts and ideas with far-reaching ramifications. This acknowledgment of the connection between domestic political processes and foreign policy narratives gives a foundational understanding of India's foreign policy discourse and its formation. Electoral cycles, public opinion, party ideology, and media influence are all important variables in determining India's foreign policy. All of these were highlighted through case studies throughout the course of the paper, including the Indo-US nuclear deal and India's climate change agreements.
As a result, the broader implications of this study show that in democratic countries, foreign policy narratives are influenced by internal politics, which can result in both stability and inconsistency. This acknowledgment is critical not only for academics but also for policymakers and diplomats. It emphasizes the importance of long-term planning that balances electoral imperatives with international obligations, ensuring that foreign policy reflects a consistent and long-term national interest as well as domestic political narratives.
Anakha S Thampy
IInd year, MA International Studies,
Symbiosis School of International Studies
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