Subnational Political Powers In Indian Foreign Policy Making

India's foreign policy is influenced by domestic politics.Constituent units are playing an increasing important role in foreign policy making.The history of India foreign policy making could be roughly divided into two periods.In the first period,foreign policy was firmly controlled by the Congress Party and Prime Minister.In the second period,decentralization of political power offered an opportunity for domestic players to exert influence over foreign affairs.This change were droved by four factors.First,the end of the Cold War and the continuous development of the international system create a favorable external environment;Second,most of India states are adjacent to a neighboring country,with complex connection;Third,the economic reform encouraged local powers to integrate into the international community;Forth,domestic political transformation gave subnational political players ability to participate in.Contrary to the need of subnational players,the participation channel provided by the central government is inadequate.Furthermore,the central government seems not that much proactive.The mechanisms that mitigate central and local relations are either idle or limited to the area of trade and investment.Therefore,non-institutionalized participation channel is quite vibrant.And in the foreseeable future,it will continue to be the main channel for local powers.Although the influence of subnational political powers on foreign affairs cannot be ignored,it cannot be overestimated as well.First,the central government is still in absolute dominance.Second,the local powers only care about their own interests,when bargaining with the central government,local powers will always find that they are fighting alone.Third,the participation of local powers are incidental,which means they barely exert enduring influence.