E-raamat: Subcontinental Drift: Domestic Politics and India's Foreign Policy

"This book explains why India's foreign policy is often characterized by multiple hesitations, delays, and diversions. Rajesh Basrur finds that India's foreign policy is hampered by significant domestic political constraints, which dim the country's prospects for major power status. Basrur uses the concept of policy drift and the international relations theory known as neoclassical realism to illuminate the main types of political stumbling blocks. The four cases explored in this book demonstrate that there are two basic types of explanation for India's indecision on crucial issues. He distinguishes between involuntary drift, which is related to the distribution of domestic material power, and voluntary drift, which is produced by a responsibility deficit. Basrur's two case studies of involuntary drift, are the India-US nuclear agreement and Indian security policy toward Sri Lanka. Two other case studies on India's nuclear strategy and India's policy on cross-border terrorism demonstrate voluntary drift.Basrur concludes India's capacity to implement vital policies is under question, not only because of the specific negativities associated with the cases examined here, but more generally from what they indicate about the ability of the Indian state to surmount domestic obstacles in pursuit of its interests as a potential major power"--

One of the most important developments in today’s changing international system is the emergence of India as a rising power. However, Rajesh Basrur finds that India is held back by domestic constraints. Subcontinental Drift explains why India’s foreign policy is often characterized by hesitations, delays, and diversions that may hamper its rise.

How domestic constraints hamper India’s foreign policy and its potential as a superpower

One of the most important developments in today’s changing international system is the emergence of India as a rising power. However, Rajesh Basrur finds that India is held back by serious domestic constraints. Subcontinental Drift explains why India’s foreign policy is often characterized by multiple hesitations, delays, and diversions that may ultimately hamper its rise.

Basrur analyzes the concept of policy drift through the lens of neoclassical realist theory to reveal why this drift occurs so regularly in Indian foreign policy and how it affects India’s quest for major power status. Using four cases—the India-US strategic partnership, India-Sri Lanka relations, India’s nuclear strategy, and crossborder terrorism—Basrur identifies two basic explanations for India’s indecision on critical issues. The first, involuntary drift, is related to the distribution of domestic material power, while the second, voluntary drift, is produced by a responsibility deficit.

Basrur develops a fresh theoretical basis for understanding the relationship between India’s foreign and domestic policies and introduces a series of theoretical refinements to neoclassical realism. Subcontinental Drift also provides advice on how policy makers might lower the costs of policy drift. This innovative analysis is essential to understanding the constraints around India’s foreign and domestic security decisions and how they will affect its rise.