ISAS Insights

Foreign policy did not appear to be a major issue for voters in India's 2009 parliamentary elections. However, it did indirectly shape the electoral outcome. The Left's stubborn position on the India-United States civil nuclear deal, stretched to the extent of almost pulling down the government, did dent its self-projected image of a constructive nationalist political force and contributed to its poll-drubbing. In contrast, the civil nuclear deal issue added to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's image as a quiet but firm leader. After signing the deal, nuclear commercial transactions were concluded first with France, Russia and Kazakhstan rather than the United States. The United States intelligence assessments of India's foreign policy asserted that it will follow an independent path, collaborating with the United States only when India's own interests so dictate.