Transfer Of Technology And Foreign Policy Of India: Unfolding Strategies During The Era Of Reforms

Under the process of globalisation, which swept across the world in the last decade of 20th century, India has been compelled to alter its economic policies, especially with respect to transfer of technology and trade. In fact, control over technology becomes a significant factor in the establishment of structures of relations between various groups, classes and states. Such equations have serious implications for the shaping of India’s foreign policy in the era of reforms. In this context, this article attempts to provide an overview of India’s foreign policy strategies and manoeuvres that are aimed at addressing various challenges and opportunities. The article also tries to sketch the emerging strategies in relation to technology transfer. The major shifts in the period of reforms in India’s foreign policy include redefinition of non-alignment, increasing role of regionalism, involvement of localities in decision-making and prominence to acquire Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the process of technology transfer. However, there is ambivalence regarding the involvement of civil society groups (non-governmental organisations) in the process of decision making in foreign policy with respect to technology transfer.