India

India has an essential history that has very hard and good times. With this writing, I would like to answer some points about India. There are;

·        3 turning points in India

·        How has British occupation colonialism affected India?

·        What were the reasons Non-Alignment Policy? What was the aim of this policy? Why did not work? What were the reasons?

·        What happened after the collapse of the Soviets? How did the collapse of the Soviet Union affect India in general?

·        How did 9/11 affect Indian-USA relations? The reasons behind Indo-Sino Competition in Asia in the world?

India is historically a land of confusion. It has sub-continent and oldest civilizations. Tibbets was critical in Indian history. It was under the Chinese occupation That's why it was a huge problem between China and India. Himalaya mountains are a natural border to this. Indo-China that today's name is South East Asia both clashed with India and China. They tried to increase their effects in that zone. The border drawn by the British is still a problem.

India was a formal colony of Great Britain between 1858-1947. After that, India was divided into two parts; Pakistan and India. They were divided because of religious understanding. During this process, Kashmir Region was the biggest problem between Pakistan and India. During that term, Newru was the president of Pakistan and also Gandhi was the president of India. We can say that Gandhi is a very important name for Indians to improve themselves. Because it was a leader which worked together against British rules. It formed many institutions, a national army, and a national economy by the British. It should be underlined that India is against British rules, not British. For example, India has 2 official languages that are Hindu and English. This explains their perspective on the British and their rules.

During that time, Bangladesh was trying to be independent, and so did it.

How did Great Britain allow India to be independent and to be divided in two due to the internal turmoil after 1947?

·        The answer is so simple; because of the 2. World War. 2. World War ended in 1945 and the war always has some problems. War means less power, less money, and more casualties. For these reasons, Great Britain had to loosen her attitude towards her colonies in order to compensate for the casualties within herself and to regain the power she had lost during the war.

When the Cold War started, India strategically became allies of the Soviets and the USA. India, Indonesia, and Nigeria don’t want to lose the sovereignty which they won new for ideological reasons. They decided to protect their country and advocate Non-Alignment Policy and Movement Principle. These aim to avoid being drowned in either superpowers' ideological or strategic orbits. They did not want to become a settled state of these superpowers. This movement is also called Third World Coalition because they are poor countries. These countries, embracing the understanding of a satellite state, decided to join forces and help each other with economic development, defense, and security issues.

We saw that Third World Coalition, Non-alignment Policy, and Movement especially were very popular among former colonies in1950s and 60s. States were newly independent states which were former colonies. This movement aimed for the economic and political cooperation of third-world countries. There were many international conferences between these countries as Not-Alignment Summits. A famous example is the Bangdung Conference in Indonesia between countries coming together all around the world, especially in poor countries.

Can we say that it was a successful realistic movement?

Actually no. Because they are poor and don’t have a background, economic infrastructure, ports, railways, energy plans, bridges, and as well as finance to build this infrastructure. Another reason; international trade was mostly controlled by Western Countries and America, Bretton Wood institutions (IMF, World Bank, World Trade Organizations).

Nevertheless, India was a leader in this movement's “Non-Alignment Policy”. Especially in 1960, it became closer to the Soviets. However, it should not be forgotten that they were ideologically they were not close to the Soviets. They were closer to the USA in terms of democratic government and administration and free trade.

There were two criteria why India choose the party of the Soviets against the USA; China and Pakistan factors.

1. I have also mentioned about China-India relations. China wasn't trusted by Indians because of these problems. In addition, Russia was geographically so close to India when we compared it with the USA. In case of a possible crisis, it could get help intervention from Russia much faster than waiting for the USA intervention. Therefore, they saw the Soviets as a balance against China.
2. We see a strong relationship between the USA and Pakistan. Pakistan started to become closely aligned with the USA in the region as Pakistan is the biggest anything of India. A balance Policy was a rational option again. India selected the side of the Soviets in order to balance Pakistan-USA alignment.

These two factors pushed India to support the Soviet Union until the end of the Cold War. India was one of the most important alliances of the Soviets in the world, but not an official alliance. India never became an orbit state. It was the only close supporter in that region. The Soviet Union was one of the biggest trading partners of India after Great Britain during the Cold War period. Today, India is a commonwealth with them. The relationship between Great Britain and India is still continuing in terms of economical and social relationships. There is a huge Indian population in Great Britain.

India gain its own independence in 1947, and so do China in 1949. When we look at the 1950s, both countries were almost at the same level in terms of economic development. In fact, India in the 1950s was more economically developed than China. China's situation in the 1950s resulted in economic development that today we can call an economic superpower in the world, and the gap between India and China has widened.

The end of the Cold War is one of the turning points in Indian politics. Because India always trusted and support to Soviets in the international system. However, the USA was a side that won the war. After the war, India was not a member of the United Nations Permanent Security Council. During this period in the 1950s, there was especially among the third world countries as support for India to become a Permanent Member of the Security Council.

Why didn’t India become a permanent member?

The answer is so easy; because of China. Disagreements between China and India caused India couldn't a permanent member. China was vetoing this decision for its own interests despite the Soviets and Great Britain supporting it. With the end of the Cold War, India understood that it had to change this policy. It changed its policy from a Normative Based Policy to a Pragmatic Policy. Indian policymakers recognized that the new Russian state couldn't play the same role as USSR in Russian and Indian relationships. There are 3 dimensions of this recognition;

1. Politically; Russians would not protect India. It would not or could not use veto power in the United Nations. For ex; Kashmir Dispute between Pakistan and India. Russia wouldn't protect India in United Nations.
2. Militarily; While the Russians used to sell their military equipment cheaply to support India, it was obvious that they would no longer do so.
3. Economically; Russians would not provide economic assistance in terms of market preferences. Because the Soviets gave special preferences to India in terms of exports such as raw materials. Soviets knew India could sell goods to Eastern European countries which settled states of Soviets. Therefore, it seemed the deal was broken. Indian decision-makers understood that the USA will be a forcible factor in the future. The United States of America was the only superpower after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This visible picture has changed and shaped the policy of the Indians.

India for the first time recognized Israel in 1992. Its recognition of Israel so late is a result of the Non-Alignment Policy and third world coalition. Because they saw Israel as an occupied county. Changing the perspective of India aimed to improve their relationships with America. Because they knew that America was controlled by Israel. They started closer ties with the royals.

A new strategy in India replaced instead of ideational goals after 1992. They accepted a pragmatic approach instead of an ideational approach. The main policy of India after the end of the Cold War was to develop India’s material well-being (economical power) and national security. The first examples of this new policy were in India in this real rapprochement in 1992. As a result of this new policy, India increased its efforts to strengthen ties with the USA, EU, and Japan. Because in the past, India focused on its relationships with Third World Countries. Then, India became a nuclear power to protect its own national security in 1998. It's important to change attitude because India was against the spread and development of nuclear weapons in the past. India were seeing it as a tool of colonial imposition.

Domestically, the government cut subsidies for basic needs such as money helps, and encouragement. In the past, it was a poor country and the Indian government solved electricity water oil for cheap prices for its citizens. But after that government said no announcement or notice about reduced tariffs government import taxes and quotas. It aimed to attract much-needed foreign investment.

What did China do in the 1980s?

They tried to integrate international trade, finance, and the economy. In fact, what China started to do in the 1980s, India started in the 90s. As a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Indian self-imposed isolation ended and started to presume a new strategy that aimed to India into a major power in Asia in the 90s. As a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union had an impact on India's economic and foreign policy, that is, it is a turning point.

What was India’s main aim?

Of course, dreams and aims become a major regional power in its region. India has one of the best economies in Asia. And there was a race as there was a conflict with China. Indian nuclear weapon program is mostly a result of the need to protect itself against China. Because they trusted the Soviets in the past and wanted to protect them from the Soviets. But the outcome of the war did not end as India wanted. India was avoiding China imposing itself on India's nuclear power. So India developed a nuclear weapons program. As a result of these efforts, it became a country that has nuclear power in 1998. Pakistan became a nuclear power in the same year, right after India became a nuclear power with the motive of protecting its own borders. India became a Russian-backed nuclear power and Pakistan became a Chinese-backed nuclear power. China-Pakistan relations were like a "My enemy's enemy is my friend."

But Pakistan is a very interesting country. Traditionally, it is a close alliance friend both of the USA and China at the same time. However, China has almost finished building a road from Western China to Pakistan. It was impossible in the past. This road is considered the highest elevate. It was financed by China and is part of the one belt one road initiative.

Indians' 3 turning points are independence of it in 1947, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the 9/11 attacks. I mentioned its independence and Soviet collapse. When we look before 11 September, Pakistan was a close alliance with the USA. So naturally, India distances itself from the USA because of Pakistan-Indian disputes. After 9/11, the war on terror started and turned into a war on Islam. Automatically Pakistan started to lose its close relationship with the USA because of distrust between USA-Pakistan. The USA started to believe that Pakistan wasn’t supporting the USA in the war on terror. Of course, the alliance is continuing but it is shaken. India saw this as an opportunity and started building relations with America. Also, the USA turned into India which in general was not a Western country and which could provide assistance to the USA in its war on terror in the region.

Bush administration started a new program. It’s called NSSP which is Next Steps in Strategic Partnership. This program became a turning point in American-Indian relations. India became a strategic partner of the USA in the region. In a way, 9/11 provided to opportunity to India which India wanted for so long to build closer relationships with the USA, and build economic-military-defense relationships with the USA. This program is based on defense cooperation in four areas.

1. Civilian nuclear technology.
2. The values high technology.
3. Space research.
4.  Ballistic missile research.

Thanks to this program, something that has never been seen in the world has happened; US military cooperation between US and India. American warships were coming to Indian ports and doing military exercises together. This shows us a commitment of the two countries aimed to close relations. India started to replace Pakistan as a close alliance in terms of American alignment in South Asia. Both countries started to benefit from this relationship in the fields of economy and defense.

According to the USA perspective, India was a chance to balance Chinese expansion in the region. The USA became one of the biggest trading partners of India so increased investments in India. During this time, cyber technology in India was developed with the support of America, and today India is one of the most developed software developers. So do outsourcing. Almost all of America's call centers are in India. It is cheaper to call the call center in India than to call the USA. Because the labor cost is much more affordable. After this partnership, India is not only militarily; but also excelled in the fields of economics, infrastructure development, technological development, and the space program.

Why a poor country like India spends billions of dollars on space programs?

Because of a struggle for power. India cannot fool behind China. Their disputes affected space programs as their other fields which they fight. For example, the Chinese population is higher than the Indian population but it is changing. India started to catch the Chinese population. And in the future, it will pass. Because China has a One Child Policy, however, this policy does not exist in Indian territory.

Indian-Russian Relations

India was close relations with Russians strategically. For 2 reasons today military cooperation with Russians is still essential in India.

1. A significant portion of Indian military equipment is Soviet-made. For this reason, they require spare parts and assistance from Russia as a result of US advanced arms sales unwillingness. Under these circumstances, India does not want to lose an important source of advanced weapons. In the past, the USA has sometimes shown an unwillingness to sell advanced weaponry due to human rights reasons, sometimes other political reasons. This shows that they cannot trust America for purchasing advanced weapons. Because they generally sell their weapons and types of equipment that are old, not new technology to India. India knows that this can be a problem although their strategic partners with the USA.
2. They don’t want to lose sources that can provide much-needed advanced weaponry. Because China is modernizing arms forces so India also needs advanced weaponry in its region. As I mentioned, there is a competition between India and China. And India While making this progress, China does not want to risk the loss of this partnership, which will cause it to lag behind in the race.

Indo-Sino Competition

Both 2 countries are actually two competitors trying to reach the same goal which is to become a great power in Asia. What is the two countries’ competition reason?

1. Both states' self-image as great powers in Asia. They want to influence power in the same region.
2. Economic competition and the need to secure natural resources from third parties to fill the economic growth. Both India and China are energy-poor countries. They depend on foreign oil and foreign natural gas. In order to continue their economic growth, they depend on foreign countries for them. Both countries want to secure their transportation and sources of natural resources. They compete with each other in Africa and the Middle East. They are always in a competition to get oil-natural resources for these countries. And also these countries target the same market, especially developing countries. They want to sell products to developing countries such as Africa, Asia, and South America with cheap products and low quality.
3. Un resulted border disputes between China and India. You must say that China is very unwilling to solve these border disputes. India is more willing, want to solve these disputes. OK BUT WHY? Because China wants to use these border disputes as a bargaining chip against India to use it as a point of attention between India and China. Because China militarily and economically is stronger than India. On the other side, China solved all border disputes with Russia in 2004.

Indo-Sino competition is most visible in South East Asia which is the clash point in competition among South Eastern Asian nations. ASEAN is already established to get rid of this pressure. Politically, India is stronger. Economically, China is. China has become a great power in the region. But it has also become a great threat. Most Southeast Asian nations have started to see China as a threat. They are turned to India in order to balance this new rising threat. As a result, India has become a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1996. ASEAN politically has close relations with India and economically has close relations with China.

India is the biggest functioning democracy in the world. However,

India’s biggest significant domestic challenge is poverty. What are the causes of this poverty?

1. Ideological policies in the past. Non–Alignment Policy, as a result of Isolation Policies' unwillingness to increase trade with the USA and others, reach Western countries. India never felt absolute trust in a country to be an ally because of its historical past with others. In addition, In Non-Alignment Policy, India refused to develop relations with Western reach countries and instead turn to poor Third World Countries to increase its develop its relations. In a way, it isolated itself, especially in terms of economy.
2. India’s failure to solve conflicts with its two important neighbors. Pakistan and Bangladesh. India has failed to solve conflicts with them. As a result, economical relationships between these two countries have not reached the desired point.

As a result of this poverty also create a new threat; fanatism in Indian politics. For ex; nationalists or ultra-nationalists especially Hindu parties have started to gain power compared to modered Indian parties. Because most of these Indian political parties blame Muslims. As there is always a party to be blamed in fanaticism, there are also Muslims who are accused here. This is a rather dangerous new aspect of Indian politics. But it also wasn’t so powerful in the past. It should be underlined that it is gaining momentum gradually but this affects India's image as a democratic multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-social country badly. India’s soft power comes with its image as a democratic, tolerant, free, multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic country. If India loses these aspects, it will lose its soft power.

India has always been an important part of East Asia politics. Although it is not located in East Asia, it has an indirect effect on East Asian politics. Especially as we see this new relationship alignment between India, USA, and Japan against China. They have come together for their own interests and become allies. Their situation is like three democratic countries against 1 totalitarian country. Each one of the countries is pleased with this partnership and on the Indian side, India caught a chance to affect East Asia and balance against China. Today, Income for capital is an average of 2500 dollars in India, China's is 17.200 dollars. There is a huge development gap between India and China. In the future, it is difficult to say that India will catch China in terms of economic development. With this information, we can say that policy of India against China is it seems to be self-interested and effective for now.