Reimagining Diplomacy: The Case for a Feminist Foreign Policy in India

As global diplomacy conflict dynamics evolve, feminist foreign policy (FFP) has emerged as a transformative framework that integrates gender equality, human rights, and inclusive security into statecraft. Originating in Sweden and subsequently adopted by states such as Canada, Mexico, and Spain, FFPs seek to reshape international relations by addressing structural inequalities and embedding gender perspectives into diplomacy, development, defence, and trade. For India—a major regional power with a growing global footprint—the adoption of a feminist foreign policy offers both normative and strategic advantages. This paper examines the urgent need for FFP in the Indian context, linking it to the country’s constitutional commitments to equality, its obligations under international human rights law, and the principles enshrined in the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. It argues that India’s active participation in UN peacekeeping, South-South cooperation, and humanitarian assistance provides a strong platform for mainstreaming gender considerations into foreign policy design. Through comparative analysis of existing FFP models, the paper identifies key lessons adaptable to India’s geopolitical realities, including prioritising conflict prevention through inclusive dialogue, ensuring gender parity in diplomatic appointments, and integrating women-led perspectives into peace negotiations and climate-security diplomacy. It also highlights structural barriers patriarchal policy cultures, security-driven diplomacy, and the absence of a National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325 that must be addressed to make such a policy effective. The paper concludes that adopting a feminist foreign policy in India would not only strengthen the country’s leadership in shaping equitable global governance but also reinforce domestic human security by aligning external engagements with inclusive, rights-based approaches. By embedding gender justice into the heart of its diplomacy, India could redefine its strategic influence in a manner that is both principled and pragmatic.