What is citizen-centric foreign policy?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
यह नीति भारतीय नागरिकों की सुरक्षा और भलाई को विदेश नीति के केंद्र में रखती है। इसका मतलब है कि जब भी कोई अंतरराष्ट्रीय संकट आता है, जैसे युद्ध या प्राकृतिक आपदा, तो सरकार की पहली प्राथमिकता अपने नागरिकों को सुरक्षित निकालना होती है, जैसा कि हमने कई बार देखा है।
- 2.
वाणिज्य दूतावास सेवाएं Consular services इस नीति का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा हैं। इनमें पासपोर्ट जारी करना, वीजा संबंधी सहायता, भारतीय नागरिकता से जुड़े मामले, और विदेशों में फंसे या परेशान नागरिकों को आपातकालीन सहायता देना शामिल है।
- 3.
भारत सरकार ने विभिन्न वैश्विक संकटों के दौरान बड़े पैमाने पर निकासी अभियान चलाए हैं। उदाहरण के लिए, 2015 में यमन से भारतीयों को निकालने के लिए ऑपरेशन राहत और 2020 में COVID-19 महामारी के दौरान दुनिया भर से भारतीयों को वापस लाने के लिए वंदे भारत मिशन।
- 4.
Visual Insights
Evolution of India's Citizen-Centric Foreign Policy
This timeline highlights key events and operations that shaped India's citizen-centric foreign policy, demonstrating its evolution from reactive evacuations to a proactive engagement with its diaspora.
India's foreign policy has evolved significantly since independence, moving from a state-centric approach focused on non-alignment to a more citizen-centric one, especially after economic liberalization in 1991. The increasing number of Indians living and working abroad, coupled with global crises, necessitated robust mechanisms for their protection and welfare. Major evacuation missions like Operation Rahat, Vande Bharat, Operation Ganga, and Operation Kaveri demonstrate this shift and India's growing capability.
- 1990Massive evacuation of 1.7 lakh Indians from Kuwait during Gulf War.
- 1991Economic liberalization in India, leading to increased overseas travel and migration.
- 2015Operation Rahat: Evacuation of Indians and foreign nationals from Yemen.
- 2020Vande Bharat Mission launched to repatriate millions of Indians during COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021Operation Devi Shakti: Evacuation from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover.
- 2022Operation Ganga: Evacuation of over 20,000 Indians from Ukraine amidst conflict.
Recent Real-World Examples
1 examplesIllustrated in 1 real-world examples from Mar 2026 to Mar 2026
Source Topic
First Batch of Stranded Indians Evacuated from Iran Amidst West Asia Conflict
International RelationsUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
61. Many students confuse 'citizen-centric foreign policy' with India's broader 'soft power diplomacy'. What is the critical distinction an examiner might test in an MCQ, and why is it important not to conflate the two?
The critical distinction lies in their primary objective and scope. Citizen-centric foreign policy's direct objective is the safety, welfare, and interests of Indian citizens and diaspora abroad. It's about providing direct support, protection, and services to individuals. Soft power diplomacy, on the other hand, is a broader foreign policy tool that uses cultural influence, values, and the diaspora to enhance India's global image and influence other nations. While the diaspora plays a role in both, citizen-centric policy is *for* the citizens, whereas soft power *uses* the diaspora (among other elements) to achieve state-level diplomatic goals. An MCQ might try to present soft power as the *primary goal* of citizen-centric policy, which is incorrect.
Exam Tip
याद रखें, 'केंद्रित' का मतलब 'पर केंद्रित' है। नागरिक-केंद्रित नीति सीधे नागरिकों पर केंद्रित है। सॉफ्ट पावर एक व्यापक विदेश नीति का *उपकरण* है, जो अक्सर प्रवासी भारतीयों का उपयोग करता है।