Inder Kumar Gujral
Inder Kumar Gujral was a prominent Indian politician and diplomat, serving as the 12th Prime Minister of India from April 1997 to March 1998. Born on December 4, 1919, in Jhelum (now in Pakistan), Gujral was an active participant in India’s freedom struggle against British colonial rule. He held various significant positions throughout his political career, including Minister of External Affairs and Ambassador to the Soviet Union. His tenure as Prime Minister, although brief, is particularly noted for the formulation of the Gujral Doctrine, a foreign policy aimed at fostering better relations with India’s neighbours without expecting reciprocity.
The Gujral Doctrine:
- Improved bilateral relations: It encourages India to engage positively with its neighbours, focusing on cooperation rather than confrontation.
- Non-reciprocal diplomacy: Unlike traditional diplomatic approaches that expect mutual benefits, the Gujral Doctrine suggests that India should extend goodwill gestures without immediate expectations of reciprocation.
- Regional stability: The doctrine aims to enhance regional stability through dialogue and collaboration, especially with countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Bhabani Sen Gupta, a prominent analyst of Indian foreign policy, noted that the Gujral Doctrine aimed to build a conflict-free cooperative South Asia by fostering development cooperation among neighbours. He argued that it provided a framework for resolving conflicts quickly, as evidenced by the swift resolution of water-sharing disputes with Bangladesh during Gujral’s tenure.
Relevance Today in South Asian Geopolitics:
- Continued Diplomatic Engagement: Experts suggest that the need for India to maintain open channels of communication with its neighbours is as critical today as it was during Gujral’s tenure. The doctrine’s emphasis on dialogue can be seen in ongoing efforts to engage with countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan on various issues ranging from trade to security.
- Regional Cooperation Initiatives: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) continues to embody some of the ideals of the Gujral Doctrine by promoting collective action among member states. However, challenges such as political instability in member countries often hinder these efforts.
