By Dr Bhabani Shankar Nayak
LONDON:Post-colonial Indian foreign policy and its non-alignment ideals were shaped by the internationalist values of the anti-colonial struggle—opposing all forms of colonial occupation, militarism, apartheid, neo-colonial economic policies, capitalist and imperialist hegemony. The term Non-Alignment was first used at the United Nations by India and Yugoslavia to describe their refusal to align with either side during the Korean War. This position later evolved into a global forum—the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)—where India was not only a founding member but also provided vital leadership in promoting the principles of decolonisation, socialist development, democratisation, peace and solidarity.
NAM was not merely a stance against the bipolarisation of global politics into the imperialist power blocs of the Warsaw Pact and NATO; it was also a strong opposition to all forms of capitalist and colonial hegemony, including apartheid. As a global platform representing more than 55% of the world’s population, NAM did not advocate for ‘neutrality’ in international affairs. Rather, it actively opposed colonial, capitalist, and imperialist structures, processes, and institutions, with the goal of promoting democratic development and economic prosperity grounded in peace and active opposition to wars and conflicts. These principles fundamentally shaped Indian foreign policy, aligning moral leadership with national interest in the realm of global politics.
The guiding framework of promoting world peace, international cooperation, and the resolution of conflicts through dialogue remained a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy even after the Cold War. In the post–Cold War period, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) continued to advocate for multilateralism, equality, and mutual non-aggression—principles that significantly influenced the foreign policy of the Global South. Within this context, India emerged as a major voice of reason and peace, upholding and advancing these ideals on the global stage.
The rise of Eurocentric Hindutva politics and its unflinching adherence to U.S.-led imperialist agendas has significantly undermined the independence of Indian foreign policy and weakened the pursuit of genuine national interest. Prime Minister Modi’s close association with the Zionist regime in Israel and India’s participation in the U.S.-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), often described as an emerging “Asian NATO” aimed at containing China, have further eroded India’s strategic autonomy and national interest.
These shifts, presented under the guise of a “multi-alignment” strategy, have diluted the foundational principles of Indian foreign policy and weakened the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In this transition, India’s foreign policy appears to have lost its moral compass—once rooted in anti-colonial solidarity, peaceful coexistence, internationalism and global justice—in favour of opportunistic alignments. The current trajectory under Hindutva-led politics not only threatens India’s historic diplomatic legacies but also compromises the core values that once defined its role on the global stage.
No other Indian Prime Minister has travelled as extensively as Narendra Modi; however, the frequency of a leader’s foreign visits does not, in itself, define the values or effectiveness of a country’s foreign policy. Modi’s numerous international trips have yielded little tangible benefit for India. Instead, these travels have often served to promote a personality cult and a narrative-driven propaganda campaign, rather than advancing substantive national interests. Far from strengthening India’s global standing, this approach has undermined the country’s longstanding diplomatic missions and its foundational vision of world politics—rooted in peace, human progress, and global solidarity. The meandering foreign policy of Hindutva government under Modi has not only weakened India’s position within the neighbourhood but also in abroad.
The “neither here nor there” trajectory of Hindutva foreign policy of hobnobbing with imperialist and Zionist regimes reflect an opportunistic shift that undermines the core values of India and its historic legacy of solidarity with anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggles. Indian foreign policy under Modi often appears erratic and directionless, lacking a coherent vision or guiding principles. As a result, countries that once regarded India as a reliable and guiding partner in the turbulent waters of global politics no longer place the same trust in its current foreign policy. Modi and the politics of Hindutva are primarily responsible for the decline of Indian foreign policy and the erosion of its internationalist ethos.
Indians must rise in unison to defend the nation’s interests and international image—assets that should never be traded away in service of American imperialism or neo-colonial European trade agendas. For the United States and Europe, India is too often seen merely as a vast market, and Indians as passive consumers. Historically, imperialist and capitalist powers have viewed countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East not with dignity or mutual respect, but as sources of natural and human resources to be exploited through strategic and self-serving foreign policies.
India needs to distance itself from American imperialists and neo colonia Europe, who can never be trusted as reliable partners. As Henry Kissinger famously said, “it may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.” In this context, the foundational values of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) remain more relevant than ever. Reviving these principles is essential to restoring the independence of Indian foreign policy and promoting a more democratic and equitable world order—one in which peace and prosperity are shared, not dictated by hegemonic powers driven by American, European, capitalist, and corporate interests.
India must pursue an independent and non-aligned foreign policy that aligns with the interests of its own people as well as those across the globe, in order to reclaim its glory and moral compass—both of which have been undermined by the Hindutva government under Modi. Let Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is a family) blossom again in India and below is a verse from the Maha Upanishad to guide Indian foreign policy.
The world is a family
One is a relative,The other is a stranger,
Say the small minded.The entire world is a family,
Live the magnanimous.
Be detached, Be magnanimous,
Lift up your mind and enjoy
The fruit of universal freedom.
—Maha Upanishad
In the larger scheme of things, our freedoms, security, peace, and prosperity are deeply interconnected. Dividing these ideals along the lines of national interests, territory, nationality, region, religion, race, or ethnicity only undermines both our individual and collective well-being, as well as our shared humanity. The divisive politics of foreign policy, justified in the name of national interests, ultimately diminishes us as human beings. Human emancipation from all forms of inequality, exploitation, and reactionary ideologies should serve as the guiding ethos and foundational principle of every nation’s foreign policy.
(The Writer Dr Bhabani Shankar Nayak is a Senior Professor in Business Strategy and presently teaches at several British University, based in London, United Kingdom, views expressed are personal).
