Involving States in Foreign Policy

What is the issue?

• The ruler of Sharjah, a UAE city, recently made his visit to Kerala.
• On request by the Kerala CM, he agreed to release 149 Indian prisoners from Sharjah jails.
• This significant outcome has highlighted the need for an increased role of states in India's foreign policy.

What is Paradiplomacy?

• Paradiplomacy is international relations conducted by subnational on their own
• It outlines a foreign policy role for local and regional governments within a democratic federal system.
• Economic paradiplomacy related to trade and investment in particular has become an institutionalized practice across the world.
• Most of these states are successful at FDI promotion.
• In India, traditionally foreign affairs are in the exclusive domain of the Union government.
• However, in recent times "competitive federalism" is being increasingly stressed, particularly in matters of foreign affairs.

How have regional parties influenced foreign policy?

In past, the larger interests of India on the global scene were sacrificed for the cause of the states concerned. e.g.

• West Bengal CM stopped then PM Manmohan Singh from signing Teesta water sharing agreement with Bangladesh.
• Kerala insisted on trying and punishing in India, the Italian marines who killed two fishermen,  leading to a rift in India’s relations with the EU.
• Tamil Nadu had insisted that India should support the U.S. resolution against Sri Lanka in the UNHRC.
• Also TN, for the Tamil minority's cause, stopped the PM from attending Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka.

What are the recent changes made?

• The Ministry of External Affairs now has a new States division.
• This keeps in touch with the states and assists them in their ties with countries in which they have a special interest.
• The special linkage could be on account of proximity or the presence of diaspora from that state.
• Besides, IFS officers have been asked to choose a State each to understand its special requirements and to advise them.
• In this emerging scenario, the diplomats are expected to bring their regional expertise to take the correct decisions on neighbours.

What lies ahead?

• There is a need for a new structure in MEA in which the states are fully represented.
• Also, Ministry of External Affairs should have offices in key states.
• Think tanks should be established in states to facilitate policy options and to provide inputs to the states and the Centre.
• States should also be encouraged to secure best deals for themselves within the overall policy of the Central government.

Source: The Hindu