Abdul Basit Alvi
In our increasingly interconnected global landscape, the importance of maintaining positive foreign relations with other nations cannot be emphasized enough. Whether in politics, economics, security, or culture, nurturing favorable international relationships is pivotal for the stability, prosperity, and peace of the world. The intricate network of interactions among countries shapes historical trajectories and significantly impacts people’s lives worldwide.
At the core of sound foreign relations lies the pursuit of peace and stability. Diplomatic channels serve as vital conduits for resolving and preventing conflicts. Through dialogue, negotiation, and collaboration, nations can address differences and defuse tensions before they escalate into full-fledged crises. Robust diplomatic connections build trust and comprehension, laying the groundwork for peaceful conflict resolutions and the preservation of global stability.
In an age of globalization, economic interdependency is a fundamental reality. Nations rely on each other for trade, investment, and resource access. Positive foreign relations facilitate the seamless flow of goods, services, and capital across borders, fostering economic growth and progress. Bilateral and multilateral agreements, such as free trade pacts and economic alliances, enhance market access and foster prosperity for all parties involved.
In an increasingly uncertain world, security cooperation among nations is imperative for addressing common threats like terrorism, cybercrime, and weapons proliferation. Collaborative endeavors in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, and military alliances bolster collective capabilities in combating transnational challenges effectively. Through joint efforts, countries can bolster their security defenses and better safeguard their populations from emerging dangers.
Cultural diplomacy also plays a crucial role in bridging gaps between nations and promoting mutual understanding and respect. Through the exchange of ideas, arts, music, and traditions, countries can transcend boundaries and encourage cross-cultural dialogues. These interactions dispel stereotypes, biases, and misunderstandings, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious global society. By embracing diversity and embracing cultural heritage, nations can forge deeper bonds and cultivate enduring friendships.
Many of today’s most pressing global issues, such as climate change, pandemics, and poverty, transcend national borders and necessitate collective action on a global scale. Positive foreign relations enable countries to collaborate effectively in addressing these challenges, pooling resources, expertise, and technology to develop sustainable solutions. Through joint efforts, nations can amplify their impact and tackle shared concerns more comprehensively than they could individually.
In the intricate tapestry of international diplomacy, the repercussions of poor foreign relations extend far beyond the borders of individual nations. When diplomatic ties sour and conflicts arise between countries, the fallout can have profound and far-reaching effects on global stability, prosperity, and security. From economic downturns to heightened tensions and even armed conflicts, the consequences of strained international relations are manifold and often enduring.
One of the most immediate and tangible outcomes of deteriorating foreign relations is economic repercussions. Disruptions in trade, imposition of tariffs, and sanctions enacted as punitive measures can result in diminished market access, reduced investments, and disrupted supply chains. Such economic upheaval not only adversely affects the nations involved but also sends shockwaves across the global economy, impacting businesses, consumers, and investors on a worldwide scale. In an interconnected world, the ripple effects of economic turmoil can exacerbate recessions, undermine growth prospects, and impede efforts to alleviate poverty and inequality.
Diplomatic disagreements and geopolitical tensions have the potential to escalate rapidly into heightened hostilities, possibly leading to military confrontations if left unresolved. Provocative actions, like military build-ups, territorial infringements, or proxy conflicts, can escalate tensions, resulting in human suffering, displacement, and loss of life. In an era marked by nuclear proliferation and asymmetric warfare, the risks of misjudgment and unintended escalation are significant, posing existential threats to global security and stability.
Poor foreign relations can worsen existing humanitarian crises or trigger new ones, as diplomatic stalemates hinder the delivery of aid and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations. Conflicts driven by geopolitical rivalries frequently result in widespread displacement, food insecurity, and human rights violations, causing immense suffering for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Insufficient international cooperation and coordination further exacerbate these challenges, prolonging the cycle of suffering and impeding efforts to find lasting solutions.
At its essence, positive foreign relations are founded on trust, mutual respect, and collaboration. When diplomatic ties deteriorate, trust diminishes, and opportunities for constructive dialogue and cooperation dwindle. Diplomatic standoffs, retaliatory actions, and provocative rhetoric undermine endeavors to achieve peaceful conflict resolutions and tackle shared challenges. The erosion of trust among nations weakens the international order, making it increasingly challenging to establish meaningful partnerships and address pressing global issues effectively.
Poor foreign relations can hinder progress on critical global issues, such as climate change, pandemics, and nuclear non-proliferation. Diplomatic rifts and geopolitical tensions impede international cooperation and consensus-building, obstructing efforts to mobilize collective action and implement coordinated solutions. As urgent challenges loom large on the horizon, the failure to foster consensus and overcome geopolitical divisions poses existential threats to humanity’s future and the health of the planet.
India’s track record and recent incidents reflect a failure to maintain positive foreign relations. India has been implicated in unlawful interference in the affairs of other nations and has been accused of supporting terrorist activities abroad.
The international community observed allegations against India regarding the assassination of a Canadian Sikh leader. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned Canada’s examination of “credible allegations potentially linking” the Indian state to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, aged 45, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Canada. Canada also expelled Indian diplomat Pavan Kumar Rai in connection with the case. The incident occurred in Surrey, a city approximately 30km (18 miles) east of Vancouver, where Nijjar was shot dead in his vehicle by two masked assailants in the busy car park of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. Mr. Trudeau addressed the Canadian Parliament, revealing that he had raised the issue of Mr. Nijjar’s assassination with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in Delhi. He stated to lawmakers, “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.”
The United States also faced a similar incident where a US Justice Department indictment suggested involvement of an Indian government official in orchestrating the assassination of US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The United States Department of Justice leveled charges against an Indian individual, accusing them of collaborating with the Indian government to execute the planned assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in New York. The formal accusations, linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to the attempted murder of US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, followed leaks to newspapers referencing the case.
The US Justice Department announced murder-for-hire and conspiracy charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, 52, who is believed to reside in India. Federal prosecutors identified Gupta as an associate of an Indian government agency employee referred to as “CC-1”, described as a senior field officer with experience in security management and intelligence, previously associated with the Central Reserve Police Force. The indictment claimed that CC-1 directed the assassination plot from India, recruiting Gupta around May 2023 to coordinate it. Gupta allegedly contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate, who, unbeknownst to Gupta, was actually a confidential informant working for US law enforcement. This informant then connected Gupta with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a “hitman” for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Gupta agreed to pay the hitman $100,000 for the task, providing him with an advance of $15,000 in cash in Manhattan around June 9. Gupta was subsequently apprehended and detained by Czech authorities on June 30, facing a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted, with the federal district court responsible for determining the sentence.
India’s neighboring countries have grown weary of its actions, with a burgeoning “India Out” movement gaining traction across these nations. In a neighboring country last year, Muhammad Muizhu, who campaigned for the presidential election under the slogan ‘India Out’, secured victory over the so-called pro-India President Muhammad Saleh. Following this triumph, Muhammed Muizhu gravitated towards China, pressuring India to withdraw its forces from Maldives in the name of security, a process now underway.
Resentment towards India is widespread among its neighbors. Pakistan contends with terrorism originating from India, pro-China sentiments in Nepal are fueled by disdain for Indian influence, Sri Lanka experiences tensions with India due to Tamil and Basism issues, Maldives expelled Indian presence, Bhutan gravitates towards China, and a burgeoning ‘India Out’ movement has emerged in Bangladesh. This campaign, initiated by influencers, social activists, influential figures, and supported by the public and sections of opposition politicians, gained momentum following the Awami League’s recent electoral victory in an election boycotted by the opposition party BNP. A video shared by a social media user recently depicted discussions on boycotting Indian products under the ‘India Out’ campaign by the People’s Activists Coalition, a coalition spearheading the movement.
In the intricate landscape of South Asian geopolitics, the relationship between India and Pakistan has long been characterized by tensions, rivalries, and occasional conflicts. Amidst this backdrop, discussions regarding potential Indian involvement in Pakistan’s internal affairs have surfaced intermittently, igniting debates and raising profound inquiries about the intricacies of regional power dynamics, security considerations, and the pursuit of national interests.
Accusations of Indian interference in Pakistan’s internal matters have remained a recurring motif in the bilateral relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Indian intelligence agencies are purportedly linked to supporting separatist movements, inciting unrest in sensitive regions such as Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, and allegedly backing terrorist activities within Pakistani territory.
The scenario of Indian intervention in Pakistan’s internal affairs carries significant security ramifications for the region and beyond. Existing tensions between India and Pakistan, already strained by territorial disputes, cross-border terrorism, and ideological disparities, could potentially escalate further if suspicions of Indian meddling gain traction within Pakistani political and military circles. Heightened security protocols, military mobilizations, and diplomatic maneuvers could exacerbate instability in the region, raising concerns regarding the likelihood of armed conflict and its catastrophic repercussions for millions of people residing on both sides of the border. The theoretical disclosure of Indian involvement in Pakistan’s internal affairs would likely precipitate a diplomatic crisis between the two nations, with repercussions extending beyond bilateral relations to impact regional and global dynamics.
Recent reports from The Guardian allege that the Indian intelligence agency has been responsible for the deaths of 20 individuals in Pakistan since 2020. According to the publication, sleeper cells associated with Indian intelligence have been active in operations within Pakistan. The report further asserts that these operations, purportedly orchestrated by the Indian government, have been directed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), under the auspices of the Indian Prime Minister’s office. Allegedly, Indian intelligence operations have also targeted Sikh separatists affiliated with the Khalistan Movement in Western countries. An Indian intelligence official cited by the newspaper purportedly indicated that Indian intelligence operations abroad were inspired by the practices of Israeli and Russian intelligence agencies.
India maneuvers through a complex matrix of international relations on the global stage, encountering challenges in fostering positive relationships with various countries. The relationship between India and China is characterized by a multifaceted blend of economic collaboration, geopolitical rivalry, and territorial disputes. Escalating border tensions, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas, have resulted in fatal clashes and military standoffs in recent years, exacerbating mistrust and competition for regional influence between the two Asian powers, thereby posing significant challenges to regional stability and security. While India and the United States share strategic interests and cooperate across multiple domains, including defense and counterterrorism, their relationship has been marred by trade disputes and policy divergences. Frictions over tariffs, market access, and intellectual property rights have strained economic ties, leading to trade tensions and retaliatory measures. Additionally, disparities regarding issues such as climate change, human rights, and geopolitical alignments have occasionally strained diplomatic relations, underscoring the intricacies of managing a multifaceted partnership. India’s relationship with Nepal, its landlocked northern neighbor, has encountered hurdles in recent times, primarily stemming from border disputes and perceived instances of interference in Nepal’s internal affairs. The recent inauguration of a road by India in the disputed region of Lipulekh Pass has once again ignited tensions between the two nations. Diplomatic disputes, trade interruptions, and nationalist fervor have strained bilateral relations, complicating efforts towards reconciliation and collaboration. India’s rapport with Bangladesh, a significant regional ally, has encountered obstacles, particularly concerning the Rohingya refugee crisis and disagreements over water distribution. India’s stance on the Rohingya predicament, which includes advocating for their return to Myanmar, has drawn censure from Bangladesh and international human rights organizations, sparking concerns regarding humanitarian principles and refugee rights. Moreover, disagreements over water-sharing arrangements, notably concerning the Teesta River, have exacerbated tensions between the two nations, underscoring the challenges of managing transboundary water resources.
In the intricate fabric of international relations, the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states stands as a pillar of stability, peace, and mutual respect among nations. Nonetheless, instances of foreign intervention in the domestic affairs of other nations persist, presenting significant challenges to global security, sovereignty, and the rule of law.
At the core of the imperative to prevent foreign intervention lies the principle of safeguarding the sovereignty and independence of nations. Every nation possesses the inherent right to determine its political system, governance structures, and socio-economic policies without external coercion or intrusion. By honoring states’ sovereignty, the international community upholds the principle of equal rights and mutual respect among nations, fostering an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence and collaboration.
Foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other nations often undermines peace and stability, exacerbating tensions, conflicts, and instability. Efforts to manipulate or influence domestic political processes, incite violence, or support insurgent groups can deepen existing grievances and divisions within societies. By respecting states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, the international community can prevent conflicts from escalating and promote peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy.
The prohibition against foreign intervention in the affairs of other nations is enshrined in international law and norms, including the United Nations Charter and customary international law. States are obligated to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other sovereign nations, as outlined in the principle of non-intervention. Upholding these legal principles and norms reinforces the rule of law and strengthens the foundations of the international order, fostering trust, predictability, and cooperation among states.
Readers, it’s imperative for India to recognize its diminishing standing on the global stage and to adjust its conduct accordingly. The international community, represented by the UN, should urge India to adopt a more mature and responsible approach, compelling it to refrain from meddling in the affairs of other nations.
