Historically, India was seen as a poor developing country with a low visibility on global politico-economical front. All western powers including United States saw India as a local / regional power in South Asia without any global weight. Over the years, this perception has changed to a great extent. How and to what extent?
The Changed Perceptions
In the pre-1990 era, India there were three main problems. First was India’s weak and protected economy, not integrated to global economic environment. Second was politics of Cold war. In those days, the policy of non-alignment was seen as India’s veiled alignment to USSR, especially after the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship in 1971. Third was various disagreements over India’s nuclear programme.
The week and protected economy projected India as a poor nation that can exert little influence on global markets. The non-aligned foreign policy caused periodic tension with western powers, particularly Washington. United States generally fixated on India’s rivalry with Pakistan.
However, in last two decades, this perception has changed. There are several reasons for this.
- Firstly, the end of Cold War and demise of USSR led India to reassess its priorities and thus gradually look towards greater engagement with rest of the world. Eventually, India entered into the era of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization) which integrated its economy with rest of the world.
- Secondly, the 21st century is seen as Asian Century, belonging to China and India. The economic liberalization led to increased growth rate and gradually India’s global presence was felt due to its growing economic status.
- Thirdly, India has emerged not only world’s largest democracy but also one of world’s most admirable democracies. India had proved that it has very strong democratic values comparing to the other countries such as Pakistan which repeatedly came under forced military regime and China which was a communist country.
- Fourthly, India has been able to successfully communicate to the world about its peaceful nuclear programme. India is now seen as a responsible nuclear power that has not been a source of nuclear proliferation.
- Fifthly, The emergence of new technology has proved India’s scientific potential in the field of information technology and now India was on a path of becoming an IT giant. India’s successful Mars mission added feather in the cap.
- India is a big emerging market and it virtually forced the western countries to look India as a separate and distinct entity.
- In Post Cold war era, the United States expected a better coordination and support from India in the field of human rights, free trade, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction etc.
- In recent years, Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is becoming increasingly significant in the world arena, with the United States, India and China—the most important stakeholders in the region.
- India was one of the 23 founding Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was concluded in October 1947. Uruguay Round, the eighth and last round of MTNs under the auspices of the GATT created the World Trade Organization (WTO) by subsuming the GATT in 1995. India was a member of WTO and now being looked as a growing economic power.
In summary, India’s long democratic ethos, economic growth, science and technology development, skilled labor, huge market, its continued fight with against terrorism have found resonance among western powers.