Publication

This paper analyzes India's behavior as a foreign policy actor by looking at the country's changing relations with the EU, US, China, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal and the former princely state of Sikkim. The author argues that although India has almost always been a normative actor, Indian foreign policy has transitioned from abstract, and frequently 'unrealpolitik,' to more normative behavior. The paper describes how India’s 'Look East' policy has been the cornerstone of the transition process, indicating that economic growth, maritime capability and peace and stability are key goals of India’s present behavior as a normative foreign policy actor.