ABSTRACT
The shift from single party dominance to a fragmented multi-party system in recent decades has adversely affected sensitive areas of India’s governance such as foreign policy and national security. At independence, India in contrast to other countries emerging from colonialism had the advantage of a stable party system and tall national leaders capable of providing democratic governance. Although mistakes were made, during the first three decades there was considerable stability and continuity on foreign policy and national security issues. Since the late 1980s with no party able to gain a majority, India has experienced hung parliaments and unstable coalition governments. While the emergence of two coalitional poles — the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) — has enabled governments to complete their term, policymaking within the coalition, remains extremely contentious, putting national security and foreign relations at risk.
