- India’s foreign policy is increasingly shaped by hyper-nationalism and image management, often at the expense of critical self-reflection. This shift undermines strategic realism and limits space for informed debate on long-term interests.
What is Hyper-Nationalism?
- Hyper-nationalism refers to an excessive form of nationalism that prioritises national pride over rational foreign policy.
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Key Features:
- Suppresses Dissent: Critics are labelled anti-national, limiting debate on strategic decisions.
- Blocks Scrutiny: Internal questioning of foreign policy is avoided to preserve the national image.
- Creates Adversaries: Neighbouring states are framed as threats to foster public unity.
- Distorts Ethics: Proxy violence is justified, weakening moral standards in external conflicts.
Benefits of Hyper-Nationalism in a Globalised World
- Assertive nationalism strengthens collaboration with major powers on defence and technology.
- Hyper nationalist ambitions elevate India’s stature in platforms like the G20 and the Quad.
- Political cohesion driven by nationalism can enhance investor confidence in policy continuity.
- External threat narratives foster cohesion, enabling consistent international negotiation postures.
- A firm nationalist posture strengthens autonomy by reducing susceptibility to external pressure.
Challenges of Hyper-Nationalism in a Globalised World
- Rigid nationalist framing restricts India’s diplomatic options, as evident in its cautious stance on Ukraine.
- Assertive posturing in Indo-Pacific forums has unsettled ASEAN partners despite shared interests.
- Selective silence on issues like Myanmar’s coup weakens India’s moral standing in multilateral forums.
- Hyper-nationalism clouds realism, as in India’s refusal to engage Pakistan despite backchannel openings.
- Nationalist pressures fuel confrontational stances, raising risks during standoffs with Pakistan and China.
Trends of Hyper-Nationalism in India’s Foreign Policy
- Nationalist Projection: India’s limited international support after Operation Sindoor reflected a foreign policy prioritising nationalist image over coalition-building.
- Neighbourhood Backlash: The “#BoycottMaldives” campaign, driven by online outrage, demonstrated how hyper nationalist sentiment strained diplomatic ties with a neighbouring state.
- Selective Silence: India’s silence during the Gaza conflict signalled a shift from values-based diplomacy to alliance-driven selectivity, weakening its normative credibility in the Global South.
Way Forward for India’s Foreign Policy
- India must retain diplomatic flexibility, as Turkey does through multi-vector foreign policy.
- India must rebuild regional trust through steady diplomacy, following Indonesia’s ASEAN approach.
- India should take consistent global positions, as Norway does, to uphold credibility.
- India should adopt strategic realism like Vietnam, balancing interests without ideological overreach.
- India should adopt de-escalation protocols, as seen in China–ASEAN conflict management frameworks.
India’s foreign policy must evolve beyond hyper-nationalist optics to embrace “strategic realism over symbolic assertiveness”, ensuring long-term credibility and regional trust. As former NSA Shivshankar Menon notes, “Foreign policy is not about scoring points; it’s about securing interest”.
Reference: Indian Express
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 257
Q. To what extent is India’s foreign policy being shaped by domestic political narratives rather than pragmatic geopolitical calculations? Discuss (150 Words) (10 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write brief meaning of hyper-nationalism and mention it impact as well.
- Body: Write how India’s foreign policy being shaped by domestic political narratives and pragmatic geopolitical calculations.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on balanced approach to safeguard long-term national and global interests.
