Changing Patterns of India’s Foreign Policy During Pre and Post Globalization Era

In this article, an attempt has been made to assess the changing patterns of India‟s foreign policy during pre and post Globalisation. Foreign Policy is an instrument through which a country protects and promotes its national interest. There is broad agreement on the concept of National Interest; it comprises the obligation to defend the country‟s National Security, to maximize economic benefits for its citizen from international trade and commerce, and also to enhance the effectiveness of power potential through propagation of its core cultural assets. We can see the changing dynamics in Indian foreign policy from Nehru to Modi. Indian independence was achieved from a protracted anti-colonial struggle led by Indian National Congress (INC). Therefore, the Indian National Congress leader Pt. Nehru adopted non-alignment policy during Cold War era to protect the sovereignty and interest of India. Besides, Nehru believes in peaceful co-existence, friendship and cooperation. After Nehru, the other landmark foreign policy maker of India was Indira Gandhi. But unlike her father Pt. Nehru, her approach was more realistic then idealistic. Modi‟s „act east policy‟ and the „neighbourhood first‟ policy are some important contributions in the foreign policy of India. The present article makes a fresh analysis which would help to understand the challenges that a rapidly evolving and changing global setting poses.