Publication

This paper examines the rising influence of civil society and business in the making of Indian foreign policy. The author argues that while public opinion articulated through the media can shape foreign policy only by influencing domestic politics, business interests do have a direct impact on geopolitical strategies. As an example the author points to the sharp decline in India-Russia economic relations in the 1990s compared to a similarly dramatic increase in India-China trade and the importance of US and Asian markets for Indian business, which have become important determinants of India's foreign policy options.