GD,still relevant ?
Gujral Doctrine(GD) is a milestone in India's foreign policy. It was conceptualised by I.K Gujral in 1996 , when he was at the helm of External Affairs Ministry under Deve gowda's government.
The doctrine proposed that being the biggest country in South Asia , India should extend unilateral concessions to its immediate neighbours without seeking or expecting any reciprocity.The rationale that Gujral gave was ,that since India is surrounded by two hostile neighbours (China & Pakistan) thus it becomes imperative on India's part to remain at 'complete peace' with all other immediate neighbours for its own larger interest.
The doctrine proposed that being the biggest country in South Asia , India should extend unilateral concessions to its immediate neighbours without seeking or expecting any reciprocity.The rationale that Gujral gave was ,that since India is surrounded by two hostile neighbours (China & Pakistan) thus it becomes imperative on India's part to remain at 'complete peace' with all other immediate neighbours for its own larger interest.
The doctrine basically proposes five-point roadmap to guide India's conduct in South Asia .They are:
1)India should extend to its neighbours ( Bangladesh, Bhutan , Nepal, Maldives , Sri Lanka & Maldives) whatever it can in good faith without expecting reciprocal gesture.
2) No country in South Asia shall allow its territory to be used against the interest of other country in the region.
3)No country should interfere in the internal affairs of other country in the region.
4)Every other country should respect the territorial sovereignty & integrity of each other.
5)All disputes should be resolved through peaceful bilateral negotiations.
It's been several years since the idea was first propounded . Their has been sea of changes in South Asia & the world over & has affected the dynamics in which the world operates, susbstantially. With India & Pakistan even getting into an armed conflict in Kargil , 1999. The repercussions of which resulted in shaping the Indo-Pak ties for generations to come . On the other hand , there has been an increase in the Chinese incursion along the disputed Macmohan line , thus disrupting the bilateral ties time and again.
Thus, it is evident that the hostility which pressed upon the Doctrine to foreplay hasn't diminished over the years. Hence, the Doctrine's relevance is still in the fray.
Being an emerging economy,it gives India an upper hand in influencing the politics of the region as envisaged in the doctrine. India has been investing heavily in the development of these countries , both state sponsored & private players , thus strategically containing the role of China. The bilateral trade with all these countries has seen an increase in the past few decade. It has helped India in projecting itself as a responsible player & has earned for itself a 'Big Brother' image.
1)India should extend to its neighbours ( Bangladesh, Bhutan , Nepal, Maldives , Sri Lanka & Maldives) whatever it can in good faith without expecting reciprocal gesture.
2) No country in South Asia shall allow its territory to be used against the interest of other country in the region.
3)No country should interfere in the internal affairs of other country in the region.
4)Every other country should respect the territorial sovereignty & integrity of each other.
5)All disputes should be resolved through peaceful bilateral negotiations.
It's been several years since the idea was first propounded . Their has been sea of changes in South Asia & the world over & has affected the dynamics in which the world operates, susbstantially. With India & Pakistan even getting into an armed conflict in Kargil , 1999. The repercussions of which resulted in shaping the Indo-Pak ties for generations to come . On the other hand , there has been an increase in the Chinese incursion along the disputed Macmohan line , thus disrupting the bilateral ties time and again.
Thus, it is evident that the hostility which pressed upon the Doctrine to foreplay hasn't diminished over the years. Hence, the Doctrine's relevance is still in the fray.
Being an emerging economy,it gives India an upper hand in influencing the politics of the region as envisaged in the doctrine. India has been investing heavily in the development of these countries , both state sponsored & private players , thus strategically containing the role of China. The bilateral trade with all these countries has seen an increase in the past few decade. It has helped India in projecting itself as a responsible player & has earned for itself a 'Big Brother' image.
In exchange of this development ,countries such as Bangladesh has taken seriously India's request to dismantle the terrorist heaven in it's territory. This is nothing but the vision that was projected in the doctrine.
Therefore we see that the GD hasn't , yet, lost it's sheen . With India entering a new decade of reforms on multiple forums , it becomes imminent that there is harmony between India & its neighbour with GD being one of the instrument to achieve that. It is of utmost importance that peaceful co-existence is guaranteed in the region & it is for a responsible player like India to ensure that. It will also help the country in leveraging the benefit it earns in the long run.
Therefore we see that the GD hasn't , yet, lost it's sheen . With India entering a new decade of reforms on multiple forums , it becomes imminent that there is harmony between India & its neighbour with GD being one of the instrument to achieve that. It is of utmost importance that peaceful co-existence is guaranteed in the region & it is for a responsible player like India to ensure that. It will also help the country in leveraging the benefit it earns in the long run.
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