India’s Response to Humanitarianism: A Synopsis

India’s tryst with colonialism has had deep impact not just on Indian psyche but also on Indian policy-making. The colonial experiences have made Indian policy makers sensitive to the fact that humanitarianism can come with a price tag. After independence therefore Indian policy makers became strong supporters of non-intervention and state sovereignty. In the post-colonial phase and even before India could complete the process of decolonisation the world had become bipolar. Tied to that was a deep unease about great power configurations that made Indian leadership desirous of striking an alternate note in foreign policy making, thereby creating an independent space for itself and other decolonised nations. Even though critical of international humanitarian regime and especially about international humanitarian interventions Indian past history bears testimony to the fact that India is not above such interventions when it is considered in its national interest. In the post economic liberalisation period Indian attitude to humanitarianism has seen some major shifts. Progressively India is giving humanitarian assistance to countries to reinforce India’s major power status. But there is a concern that Indian humanitarianism is bypassing its own people. This essay will address India’s humanitarian responses internationally and internally, towards its own people.