Non-Alignment to Uncertainty: Is India Due for a recalibration ?
- Chirag Kumar
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
India’s foreign policy stands at a turning point assisted by a rapidly shifting global order and the complex dynamics of domestic politics. For decades, India has pursued a foreign policy rooted in strategic autonomy engaging with global powers without full alignment, prioritising economic partnerships and asserting its interests through forums such as the G20, BRICS, the Quad and more. Yet, despite these efforts, there is growing debate among policymakers and civil society about whether India’s foreign policy requires not just tactical adjustments but a deeper, more fundamental change. The question is not whether India should remain engaged, which it should, but whether the assumptions that underline its current approach still serve its long-term interests in a world marked by great-power competition, and transnational flows of people and capital.
One clear area where this debate crystallises is the issue of dual citizenship and how India engages with its vast global diaspora. Unlike many major democracies, India does not allow dual nationality; Indians who choose citizenship of another country must relinquish their Indian citizenship. Instead, India offers an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card—a status with advantages such as visa-free travel and residency rights, but which stops short of full citizenship. This compromise has long frustrated Indian expatriates and lawmakers alike. Individuals face limitations in political participation, property ownership, and certain employment opportunities, while the country misses out on fully harnessing the economic and diplomatic potential of its diaspora. The policy reflects a foreign approach that hesitates to fully acknowledge the new realities of global mobility and transnational identity.
Congress leader and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor has been one of the most vocal critics of the present framework. He writes, "The Indian policy towards its diaspora reeks of bad faith, placing its expatriates in the invidious position of either retaining their Indian passport, and so seeming to exploit their host countries, or depriving themselves of their motherland if they choose a different passport."
The dual citizenship debate is a marker of a broader tension in India’s foreign policy between sovereignty-centric legalism and the requirements of a globalised era. Many countries have adapted by granting dual nationality to encourage continued engagement with their diasporas. For example, nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France allow dual citizenship, recognising that citizens abroad can contribute strategically to national interests while fully participating in their countries of residence. India’s reluctance to follow suit reflects concerns over divided loyalties and security implications of governance and taxation that dual citizenship could introduce, suggesting an approach that prioritises legal formalities over the strategic benefits a more inclusive diaspora policy might yield.
India's regional diplomacy, extending beyond diaspora policy, further underscores the necessity for a strategic realignment. Despite the policies such as "Neighbourhood First," relations with neighboring countries, including Sri Lanka and Nepal, frequently fluctuate between periods of collaboration and instances of tension. China's increasing economic and infrastructural presence in South Asia, assisted by the Belt and Road Initiative, has presented a competition to India's established sphere of influence. India's typical response has emphasized development aid and security collaboration; however, some critics contend that these efforts have not been adequately informed by cultural awareness or a comprehensive grasp of the evolving political landscapes within these nations. Consequently, a foreign policy that seeks regional leadership must be predicated on mutual respect and cooperative structures, rather than imposing hierarchical methodologies.
Additionally, India’s global image is influenced by how cohesively its domestic values align with its external rhetoric. As the world’s largest democracy, India has historically derived moral authority from its constitutional commitments to pluralism and democratic norms. When domestic debates call these values into question, they necessarily affect India’s diplomatic leverage. Foreign policy is not performed in isolation; it is reinforced or undermined by the state of a nation’s democratic life. Ensuring that domestic governance aligns with the values India projects abroad strengthens its credibility on human rights and multilateral cooperation. The international system itself needs flexibility in the current time. Climate diplomacy and economic interdependence require not only strategic balancing between major powers but also a clear articulation of India's long-term vision. While incremental changes may help address current issues, they do not take the place of a forward-looking foreign policy that combines domestic imperatives with global opportunities.
India's contemporary foreign policy presents a complex interplay of aspiration and restraint. While it demonstrates engagement, it also exhibits periods of hesitancy; it is guided by principles, yet it is cautious in its commitments. This underscores a broader necessity: India must adapt its foreign policy to accommodate the complexities of a globalized world, where identity and strategic objectives are intertwined. Although a significant transformation may not be immediately forthcoming, the very act of discussion indicates that the existing approach is becoming increasingly insufficient for the ambitions of an expanding global power in the twenty-first century.
Bibliography
Jaishankar, S. (2020). The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World. HarperCollins.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Neighbourhood First Policy.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme.
OECD. (2023). International Migration Outlook.
Pant, Harsh V. (2019). “India’s Regional Policy: Challenges and Constraints.” International Affairs.
Sen, Amartya. (2005). The Argumentative Indian. Penguin.
Tharoor, Shashi. (2024). “India cannot be truly non-aligned with China on its borders.” The Indian Express.
The Economic Times. (2024). “Didn’t get much support on dual citizenship issue, says Shashi Tharoor.”
THEWEEK, Time to approve dual citizenship by Shashi Tharoor
WRITER CREDITS
Rahat Ul Aien is a third-year B.A. (Hons) Political Science student at Women's College, Aligarh Muslim University. Originating from Baramulla, Kashmir; Rahat delves into the intricate connections between politics and everyday life, uncovering the subtle forces that shape our world. Through her writing, she seeks to highlight the overlooked aspects of global dynamics, contributing to a broader understanding of the political landscape.
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