Economically and politically India approaches the twenty-first century
a very different country from that which emerged from colonial rule i
nto independence in 1947. By the year 2020 India is expected to be the
fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power pari
ty. In the light of new foreign policy doctrine, this article examines
the contradictions between India's economic and political compulsions
and assesses the prospects for the world's largest democracy as it lo
oks East to new trading partners and political links and to the resolu
tion of long-standing security issues with its neighbours.