What is the Concept of the Gujral Doctrine?

In the year 1996, Inder Kumar Gujral, the then Foreign Minister during the Deve Gowda Government initiated and propounded the Gujral Doctrine. This Doctrine was a milestone for our country’s foreign policy. Furthermore, the Doctrine stated that India as the biggest South Asian Country must give the smaller neighbours unilateral concessions. Simply put, as per India’s accommodating approach towards the neighbouring countries it believes in the principle of non-reciprocity. Additionally, India believes in being cordial and gives importance to friendliness with its neighbours. Read on to learn more in detail about the Gujral Doctrine, its 5 Principles and Achievements of the Gujral Doctrine. 

5 Principles of the Doctrine

The Gujral Doctrine acts as a roadmap to guide India and its foreign relations with its neighbours. In addition, the 5 Principles of the Gujral Doctrine are as follows: 

1. India should not ask these 5 countries to reciprocate and instead give them what it can in good faith:
   1. Bhutan
   2. Bangladesh
   3. Maldives
   4. Sri Lanka 
   5. Nepal

2. No country in South Asia should let its land be used against another country.

3. There must be no interference in the internal affairs of another country.

4. There should be respect towards the sovereignty and territorial integrity amongst all South Asian countries. 

5. Through peaceful bilateral negotiations, all South Asian countries should settle their disputes. 

Also Read: The Basic Structure Doctrine: Safeguarding Constitutional Integrity

What are the Achievements of Gujral Doctrine?

Furthermore, there was trust-building via dialogue and unilateral accommodation. Moreover, here are 2 Achievements of the Gujral Doctrine:

• Water Sharing with Bangladesh: A 30-year water treaty guaranteed Bangladesh’s access to the Ganga River during dry seasons.

• Improved Relations with Bhutan and Nepal: A confidence-building measure reduced tensions and Bhutan even agreed to a canal project to increase Ganga’s flow.

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