| Abstract: | Gandhian principles of universal humanism, trusteeship, nonviolence, peaceful coexistence, moral persuasion and empowerment continue to shape India’s foreign policy from the 1950s till date. Gandhian values influence India’s nuclear doctrine, multilateral engagements, development assistance and global governance. It can be traced in the historical continuity through India’s leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement, peacekeeping and principled responses to world crises. Gandhian elements are also highlighted in modern adaptations as well as the nuclear no-first-use policy, Vaccine diplomacy, climate advocacy in G20/BRICS, and active participation in forums like SAARC, G4, QUAD, G7, and ASEAN. Through doctrinal and comparative analysis of speeches, policy documents, and scholarly literature, the research paper tests three hypotheses (1) Gandhian values underpin India’s nuclear restraint and global moral credibility; (2) development partnerships reflect trusteeship and empowerment; and (3) multilateral diplomacy embodies universal humanism and peaceful cooperation. Content analysis reveals themes such as moral autonomy, non-alignment, disarmament, developmental trusteeship and intergenerational equity. The case studies involve India’s role in NAM (1955), UN peacekeeping (1950s), the 1971 Pakistan-Bangladesh conflict, nuclear doctrine post-1998, development outreach through SAARC, BRICS, ASEAN, climate action in G20, and Vaccine Diplomacy (2020). It is evident that India integrates Gandhian values both as moral vision and strategic framework. In doing so, India projects ethical leadership and strengthens Gandhi’s relevance in modern diplomacy. Gandhian thought remains a living compass in India’s global conduct and diplomacy in a multi polar world. |
