India's Foreign Policy and Lessons from Hindu Epics
Context of India's Foreign Policy
- India's foreign policy is navigating through a period of intensified global competition and regional uncertainty.
- There's a revived focus on national identity and civilisational mission.
Guidance from Hindu Epics
The Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, offer practical insights into power, hubris, and statecraft.
Lessons from the Ramayana
- Ravana’s Downfall: His defeat was due to overconfidence and belief that power exempts moral responsibility.
- Rama’s Kingship: Emphasizes self-control over power, respect for limits, and ethical governance.
Insights from the Mahabharata
- Political Ego: The Kauravas' refusal to compromise led to war, exemplifying ego-driven politics.
- Pandavas' Struggle: Their victory came with a moral cost, cautioning against glorifying forceful success.
- Krishna’s Diplomacy: Advocates for diplomacy over force, using war only as a last resort.
Implications for Modern Diplomacy
- Ethical Diplomacy: The importance of procedural constraints and multilateralism in global politics.
- Institutional Deliberation: The necessity for informed strategies and respect for dissent in foreign policy.
Challenges from Pride and Ego
- Overreliance on power can threaten legitimacy and stability in international politics.
- The need to balance civilisational confidence with strategic humility.
Distinction between Pride and Status-Seeking
- Pride: Internally driven, self-referential, and politically dangerous.
- Status-Seeking: Relational, social, and a legitimate pursuit for India in global institutions.
Concluding Reflections
The epics remind us that unchecked power can corrode legitimacy and diplomacy. India's challenge today is to use these epic teachings not as a mythic past for glory but as a moral compass for navigating the future.
