Page 21 - A Gender-Sensitive Indian Foreign Policy- Why? and How?

Indian Council
of World Affairs

Perhaps unexpectedly or not always consciously, gender
sensitivity has informed certain kinds of diplomatic practices,
as we have pursued ethical, non-muscular and more long-term
vision of ‘soft power’ in our foreign policy generally.

This civilisational identity that has shaped India’s foreign policy since the
Nehruvian era, is reflected in long-term visions and domestic governance
priorities. This implies that perhaps unexpectedly or not always consciously,
gender sensitivity has informed certain kinds of diplomatic practices, as
we have pursued ethical, non-muscular and more long-term vision of ‘soft
power’ in our foreign policy generally. Of course we have made several
mistakes along the way, for which we hold many of our leaders and decision
makers accountable. Again the caution that it is important to see things in a
long term perspective, than direct public criticism that castigates individuals.
There have been mistakes but it is really important that we start mapping
foreign policy in terms of what we have actually done and achieved, and
above all its continuum across different governments and leaders in power.

Feminism is one of the critical perspectives to examine prevalent power
relations, hierarchies and ‘regimes of truth’ from the gender lens. Upon
a closer study, one finds that Indian foreign policy has at various times
embraced the assumptions, ideas, and beliefs of feminism in its many
policies. Gender equality may not have been the ultimate goal of these
policies, but they have certainly embodied the values of justice and
compassion as an ethical necessity for peace within and outside.

In tracing the genealogy of Indian foreign policy, I turn to our first PM, Pt.
Nehru, who is much maligned today. It is very important to understand
his very magnanimous vision of national interests, the nature and limits of
power, constituents of power and what power could be used for in his times.
He envisioned the liberal international order, international cosmopolitanism
in which India would have a major role to perform especially among African
and Asian states. I am not saying that all of what he imagined might have
been eventually successful - however two things stand out for me in that
period of early postcolonial foreign policy. One is the ‘scientific temper’ that
we talk about and criticise a lot these days, without really understanding
why it was necessary at that point of time. Both Mao and Nehru, and you
cannot talk about India alone because there was the big neighbour right
next door, believed that their countries had suffered humiliation from the

Indian foreign policy has at various times embraced the
assumptions, ideas, and beliefs of feminism in its many policies. 21

A GENDER-SENSITIVE INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY Why? and How?