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| Re-setting of relations with neighbours in post-1998 | | |
Dr. Rajkumar Singh
By the time Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a hattrick of being the Prime Minister of India on October 13, 1999, both the country and the outside world witnessed a sea of changes in respects more than one. Domestically the political leadership is increasingly becoming aware of the politics of growth to ensure better economic development. Things improved fast and India entered in a new period with major shifts in the development models and public policies. The revolution of information technology, telecom upsurge, fast movement in the financial sector, and flexibility shown by the private entrepreneurs in adjusting to the new globally competitive situation announce the arrival of India on the world map.
Policy adjustments with Pakistan and Nepal
The behaviour on foreign and security policies is singularly Indian and is not peculiar to the BJP or Congress, the dominant political parties in contemporary India. Since the 1998 nuclear tests, substantive dialogue on nuclear matters between India and Pakistan has been minimal and in general for two years after Kargil misadventure, India rejected official dialogue with Pakistan. A policy of diplomatic isolation or nuclear non-engagement prevailed at cross-purposes to the pursuit of risk reduction.
Ultimately ground for peaceful diplomacy between India and Pakistan was first prepared by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in April 2003. On the other the policies of President Musharraf also showed flexibility and innovative thinking in offering different proposals that could fulfil the aspirations of Kashmiris while keeping in mind the sensitivities of Indo-Pak relations. Favourable atmosphere led to the successful meeting between Vajpayee and Musharraf during the January 2004 SAARC meeting in Islamabad. It was the good beginning which spread at official as well as unofficial levels.
At the time Atal Bihari Vajpayee took over the premiership the political situation in the Himalayan Kingdom remained unstable and witnessed a series of change in the premiership. The later crucial developments in which King Birendra was gunned down in 2001 and King Gyanendra was made his successor along with the spread of Maoism in different parts of the country had made New Delhi confused on its policy towards Nepal. The regime of Vajpayee chanted the ideal of constitutional monarchy and lent almost total support to the King’s authoritarian moves. Behind the policy was India’s somewhat imprudent and unrealistic dislike for corrupt and power-hungry politician as well as its near hatred for the Maoists who were seen as a supporters of the Naxalite and insurgent groups in India. In case of Nepal during the period India failed to work as a quiet and honest facilitator.
Policy with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
The initial attitude of Vajpayee government toward Bangladesh was accommodative and adjusting, it however, received a setback with the coming of Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s rule in 2001. The new Dhaka dispensation was known for its support of radical Islam, anti-Indian sentiments and actions, anti-secularism, anti-democracy and pro-China policies. In addition the development in the society and politics of Bangladesh had overshadowed the relations, political in particular, between the two friendly neighbours. It led to several misunderstandings in their relations in which India accused Bangladesh of harbouring both agents of Pakistan’s intelligence services and separatist militants fighting in India’s north-eastern states. As a result at the end of Vajpayee’s regime there were several political issues which were yet to be resolved satisfactorily. Likewise India during the tenure of Vajpayee kept a vigil eye on Sri Lankan Tamils and made its policy clear that New Delhi would welcome a resolution of the current impass in the peace process and an early resumption of negotiations.
New UPA government and policy initiatives
As a result of the 14th Lok Sabha a Congress-led UPA government was formed and Dr. Manmohan Singh replaced Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the new Prime Minister of India on May 22, 2004. The change of guard at New Delhi did not bring any change in its policy towards Pakistan and the earlier efforts initiated by the previous government continued further. Now without doubt, the economic struggle had taken primary over the political struggle and it was felt by both India and Pakistan. It is also to note here that with the rise of China and fall of Soviet system India is definite to have strategic role in international politics, security, diplomacy and anti-terrorism strategy.
It is going to be the third pole, a balancing state between America and China, which can not be ignored by either. In the period of Manmohan Singh India’s foreign policy adapted to the rapidly changing global environment. It concentrated on improving relations with all major powers and all its neighbours. India’s diplomatic understandings with Pakistan improved further that led to exchange of visits at several levels. The political instability which was brought in Pakistan in 2007 ultimately led to the formation of a civilian elected government under the premiership of Yousuf Raza Gillani in 2008, but at the end of the year a terror attack was made in Mumbai at different places made India-Pakistan relations strained and created a war-like situation between the two countries.
India’s dilemma over its relations with Nepal continued during the premiership of Manmohan Singh. As earlier the political uncertainty prevailed in Nepalese politics and society which was heightened by Gyanendra’s taking over of direct rule in the country in February 2005. The emergency rule of King Gyanendra did not last long and it ended in April 2006 which led further the election to the members of Constituent Assembly and formation of a Maoist-led coalition government under the premiership of Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. Although Prachanda visited New Delhi after taking a tour to Beijing his ideological proximity with China and support of anti-India activities in Nepal continued to remain a cause of concern for New Delhi.
A number of developments also took place in Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Sri Lanka relations since the installation of Manmohan Singh’s government in May 2004. In case of Bangladesh India, as earlier, continued to constructively engage with the governments in Dhaka. Having remained for two years under a caretaker government, in a general election held in December 2008, Sheikh Hasina and her Party Awami League along with its allies registered a victory and formed the government in Bangladesh. On her assumption of office the people and Government of India have hoped a recalling of close and friendly relations with Bangladesh. Like Dhaka the change of government at New Delhi did not witness any policy shift in regard to Sri Lanka and as earlier regular contacts at different levels continued. Throughout the period New Delhi remained careful in regard to the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils and extended every possible help whenever it was sought by Colombo. |
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