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Gujral Doctrine

What is Gujral doctrine?

The Gujral Doctrine is a set of five guiding principles for dealing with India’s close neighbors. These five guiding principles are the result of the conviction that India’s stature and power are inextricably linked to the nature of its ties with its neighbors. Thus, it acknowledges the paramount significance of amicable, cordial relationships between neighbors.

These ideas include:

  • India doesn’t demand anything in return from its neighbors, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, but instead provides what it can in a spirit of confidence and good faith.
  • No South Asian nation should permit the use of its territory to harm the interests of another nation in the region.
  • No nation should meddle in another’s domestic affairs.
  • Each South Asian nation is required to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the other.
  • All of their differences should be resolved through cordial bilateral dialogue.

Overview

  • Originator: Inder Kumar Gujral, 12th Prime Minister of India.
  • Context: Proposed during his tenure as the Union Minister of External Affairs in the H.D. Deve Gowda government.
  • Significance: A milestone in India's foreign policy, particularly towards its immediate neighbors.

Principles of Gujral Doctrine

  1. Unilateral Accommodation: India does not seek reciprocity but gives and accommodates what it can to neighbors like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
  2. Non-Use of Territory Against Neighbors: No South Asian country should use its territory against the interests of another regional country.
  3. Non-Interference in Internal Affairs: Emphasis on not interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.
  4. Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all South Asian countries.
  5. Peaceful Bilateral Negotiations: Encouraging the settlement of all disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations.

Applications

  • Resolution of Water Dispute: Swift resolution of the water-sharing dispute with Bangladesh.
  • Hydel Power Agreement with Nepal: Treaty with Nepal for harnessing the Mahakali river for hydropower.
  • Development Cooperation with Sri Lanka: Expanded development cooperation agreements.
  • Composite Dialogue with Pakistan: Initiation of composite dialogues covering a wide spectrum of bilateral relations.

Relevance and Challenges

  • Contextual Background: Emerged against the historical backdrop of colonial divide-and-rule policies and subsequent regional tensions.
  • Challenge from China: The expansion of China's influence in South Asia, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Economic Constraints: Limited resources compared to China's economic outreach in the region.
  • Security Concerns: Regional security threats like terrorism, contraband trade, and cross-border insurgencies.

Way Forward

  • Complex Geopolitics: Need for re-strategizing India's neighborhood policy amidst shifting geopolitics.
  • Connectivity and Security Balance: Pursuing regional connectivity while addressing security concerns with technological solutions.
  • Transit Country Role: India's potential role as a transit country for its neighbors, offering national treatment on its transport network and ports.
  • Sustained Engagement: Emphasizing sustained political and people-to-people engagement, building on cultural affinities.
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