Life is nothing but the creation, extension, and preservation of human relations. Relations are precious. Human relations indicate that no one is complete without the help of
others. The evolution of global village is the hallmark 10,000 years of history of civilization. No doubt war begins in the minds of a human being but the same mind talks about the peace also. We must know that the act of today is bound to be analyzed tomorrow. Let the peace prevail and rationality dominate over myopic vision of war and aggression. To me, sovereignty means the right to live without interference in the personal equations of a nation with other nations. For example suppose USA wants to impose its relations and equations with Iran on India’s relations and equations with Iran, then it is blatant violation of the principles of sovereignty and sound diplomacy.
We are a democratic country, with numerous political parties based on opposing and variant thinkings and views, to run the state affairs. But they all should always keep in mind that they are to manage and run the internal affairs of the state. The foreign affairs are the total prerogative of the government in power and they all are to standby its side as one nation in the matters of foreign affairs. Anything less than this will prove counter productive to the interest of our nation in foreign matters by weakening our stand in the eyes of other nations.
During the cold-war period, the foreign policy was guided by three factors: (a) political ideologies of communism and capitalism; (b) the balance of power; and (c) showing loyalties towards the super powers. But, today, the foreign policy of a country is directed by three harsh realities: (a) the imperatives of global market economy; (b) the menace of terrorism; and (c) the wrath of fundamentalism. It is very much different from the pre-cold war period.
Now the situation is different. The required is different. Therefore, the parameters are ought to be different. The days of political protections are over, now the economic imperatives dominate. Now markets are more important than battlefields. The political centres are becoming less important than economic points. Globalization has changed the life-style, behavioural pattern, level of expectations, way of reaction, policies of the Governments and probably everything. Globalization has changed the complexion of foreign policies of the world. Today, diplomacy seems to be subservient to the economic exigencies. China is, politically, one of the greatest rivals of USA. But their economic ties and dependence have compelled them to undermine their political priorities and ideologies. Those who understand this change are changing. Those who are not, will have to change. Because change is the most permanent fact of life. The success of the foreign policy depends on the fact that how a country undermines the political considerations and shifts the relations towards market integration.
