The Gujral Doctrine

gujral

Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – India and its Neighborhood- Relations, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Context
India’s relations with its neighbors are undergoing a transformative phase, prompting a retrospective examination of the factors that have shaped its ties with the immediate neighborhood.


  • Inder Kumar Gujral served as the 12th Prime Minister of India from April 1997 to May 1998.
  • Gujral is notable for his significant contributions to Indian foreign policy during his tenure.
  • The Gujral Doctrine Formulated by IK Gujral during his term as the Union Minister of External Affairs in the HD Deve Gowda Government.
  • It is regarded as a milestone in India’s foreign policy.
  • The Gujral Doctrine focused on reshaping India’s bilateral relations, particularly with its immediate neighbors, emphasizing a new approach.
  • The doctrine advocated a positive and cooperative attitude toward smaller neighboring countries.
  • It is widely welcomed by both India’s smaller neighbors and the international community.
  • Principles of the Gujral Doctrine:
    • The Gujral Doctrine comprises five guiding principles for India’s foreign relations with its immediate neighbors.
    • These principles stem from the belief that India’s strength is intricately tied to the quality of its relations with neighboring countries.
    • Emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining friendly and cordial relations with neighboring countries.
  • Principles in Detail:
    • Unilateral Goodwill: India, with nations like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, prioritizes giving and accommodating without expecting reciprocity, fostering trust and good faith.
    • Non-use of Territory: South Asian nations should refrain from allowing their territories to be used against the interests of other regional countries.
    • Non-interference: Countries within the region must refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
    • Respect for Sovereignty: All South Asian nations are urged to respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
    • Peaceful Dispute Resolution: The doctrine advocates for the resolution of disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations, promoting stability and cooperation in the region.
  • Resolution of Disputes:
    • Bangladesh Water-Sharing Dispute: Gujral Doctrine’s application resulted in the swift resolution of a water-sharing dispute with Bangladesh within just three months in 1996-97.
    • Nepal Hydel Power Treaty: Almost concurrently, a treaty with Nepal was initiated for harnessing the Mahakali river for hydel power generation.
  • Regional Cooperation:
    • Sri Lanka Development Cooperation: The doctrine facilitated agreements with Sri Lanka, promoting expanded development cooperation in the region.
    • Composite Dialogue with Pakistan: The initiation of a composite dialogue with Pakistan, grounded in problem-solving and cooperation on agreed terms, despite lingering disputes (e.g., Kashmir, terrorism).
  • Trust-Building Measures:
    • Strengthening Regional Trust: Gujral’s foreign policy approach significantly enhanced trust and cooperation within India’s neighborhood.
    • Bhutanese Water Flow Agreement: Successful efforts to secure Bhutanese consent for the canal project to augment the flow of water to the Ganga, demonstrating cooperative regional engagement.
  • Continuity and Legacy:
    • Successive Prime Ministers’ Adherence: Despite differing political ideologies, successive Prime Ministers continued to incorporate aspects of the Gujral Doctrine in their foreign policy approaches.
    • Enduring Significance: The doctrine’s legacy is observed in its enduring influence on India’s regional diplomacy and the continued pursuit of cooperative engagement with neighboring countries.
  • China’s Growing Influence:
    • Expansion of China’s influence in the subcontinent through initiatives like the Belt and Road, challenging the Gujral Doctrine’s emphasis on improved connectivity amid heightened security concerns.
  • Intra-Regional Integration:
    • South Asia’s minimal regional integration, accounting for less than 5% of global trade, hinders effective implementation of the Gujral Doctrine.
    • Limited regional cooperation impedes the establishment of seamless connectivity and collaborative relationships.
  • Resource Disparity with China:
    • India faces challenges in matching the scale of resources China deploys in the neighborhood, impacting the effectiveness of development cooperation as a tool of India’s foreign policy.
  • Economic Slowdown Impact:
    • Current economic slowdown in India reduces the willingness to further open the market to neighbors, weakening the economic pillar of the Gujral Doctrine.
  • Security Threats Across Borders:
    • India’s borders become conduits for security threats such as cross-border terrorism, contraband trade, and drug trafficking, challenging the doctrine’s aspiration for peaceful relations.
  • Implementation Challenges and Flexibility:
    • Admits challenges in implementing the principles, with the need for reassessment if neighboring countries deviate from the agreed principles.
  • Resource Paucity for Development Cooperation:
    • Gujral Doctrine’s reliance on development cooperation is weakened by the limited resources available, especially when compared to China’s expansive capabilities.
  • Criticism of Gujral’s Approach:
    • Criticism for failing to secure wholehearted support from the foreign affairs bureaucracy to fully implement the doctrine.
  • Soft Approach towards Pakistan:
    • Gujral criticized for being too lenient, especially towards Pakistan, potentially leaving India vulnerable to future security threats, including terror attacks.
  • Perceived Isolation Strategy:
    • Some in Pakistan perceive the doctrine as an Indian strategy to isolate Islamabad, contributing to skepticism and challenges in regional cooperation.
  • Strategic Reassessment:
    • In response to evolving geopolitical dynamics, India must conduct a thorough reassessment of its neighborhood policy, recognizing the increased complexity and potential threats.
  • Transit Country Leadership:
    • Position India as the preferred transit country for its neighbors by extending national treatment across its transport network and ports, fostering economic integration and regional collaboration.
  • “Neighborhood First” through Sustained Engagement:
    • Prioritize a “neighborhood first” approach by fostering sustained engagement at all political and people-to-people levels. Leverage deep cultural affinities unique to India’s relations with its neighbors.
  • Continued Emphasis on Gujral Doctrine Principles:
    • Build upon the diplomatic acumen of IK Gujral by continuing to emphasize the key principles of cooperation, non-reciprocity, and dialogue outlined in the Gujral Doctrine. Maintain a commitment to these principles in shaping India’s foreign policy decisions and relationships with neighboring countries.
  • Economic Focus and Regional Cooperation:
    • Deepen economic ties through focused efforts on trade, investment, and infrastructure development within the region.
    • Promote regional cooperation through active participation in regional initiatives such as SAARC and BIMSTEC.
  • Diplomacy for Conflict Resolution:
    • Engage in regular dialogue and diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve disputes and build mutual understanding, fostering a climate of cooperation and stability.
  • Responsible Neighbor Policy:
    • Act as a responsible neighbor by avoiding interference in the internal affairs of other countries and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring nations.

Reference:
Strategic Analysis
Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
Britannica


Practice Question

In the context of evolving economic dynamics, how does the Gujral Doctrine address the relevance of economic cooperation as a key component of fostering friendly relations in the neighborhood?

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