Comparative Foreign Policies of Rising Powers

On September 9^th 2019, the Department of International Studies and History organized a guest lecture on ‘Comparative Foreign Policies of Rising Powers’ by Professor Deepa M. Ollapally, Research Professor of International Affairs and the Associate Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

Professor Ollapally began the lecture by quoting Paul Kennedy’s 1987 work ‘The Rise and Fall of Great Powers’. She compared the countries considered as rising powers then, as compared to now, such as India, which was not included in his works. She stated that the label of ‘rising power’ is determined by multiple factors of the foreign policy like economic responsibilities and relations, military (defence) networks, cultural influences and future resources. One of such examples which utilizes these indicators is the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, which ranks India as 4^th, after China and Japan, in terms of exerting power.

Professor Ollapally stated that even though these ‘rising’ nations are different in nature but share certain commonalities. This includes having a strong sense of identity associated with their past, for example Russia remembers itself as a strong imperial power as against India which remembers itself as great civilizational power. And this sense of identity materializes inform of nationalism, which changes with time. For example, India’s civil and political nationalism is undergoing a change along the lines of communal nationalism.

Along with identity and constructivism, economic interdependence and military power plays an important part in associating a country as a rising power. And the fundamental question for these rising powers has been the trade-off between economic primacy and security aspirations in their foreign policy decisions. In this respect, the Professor talks about India and China, and their simultaneous rise along with the possibility of their co-existence. Both the nations have made enemies on their way to achieve growth. However, efforts are being made by them, wherein the economic narrative is given primacy over security matters. Such as India’s Look East Policy which seeks to have peaceful and prosperous relations between India and East Asian countries. Accordingly, both the nations, India and China, are making their presence felt in all the neighbouring states such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, be it for security or economic reasons. China has launched the 2+1 initiative, wherein India and China has come together for cooperation in a third country, which is Afghanistan. This is considering India is the largest donor to the country and China is largest investor there.

Professor Ollapally closed the talk by stating that such co-operation is required considering that both the countries are aware of the lack of capabilities on their part, to indulge in a conflict. And also, they accord economic interests importance over military might. The lecture was followed by an engaging and interactive Q&A session. Dr. Vageshwari presented the Professor with a token of appreciation, which was followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Madhumati.