BharatNotes Gujral Doctrine
A foreign policy principle articulated by PM I.K. Gujral (1996) under which India would offer unilateral concessions to smaller neighbours without expecting reciprocity, premised on India's responsibility as the largest South Asian nation to build goodwill.
Context & Background
Proposed by Gujral as External Affairs Minister (1996) and later as PM (1997–98); aimed at normalising relations with all SAARC neighbours simultaneously.
UPSC Exam Relevance
Five principles — non-interference, no group for bilateral interests, sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution, non-reciprocity; critiqued for being too generous; contrast with realist approach.
