ABSTRACT
The main aim of the study is to analyse party politics and its influence over foreign policymaking in India with a special emphasis on the growing role of regional parties. In the first part of the study the author presents a classification of party systems and their role in framing the country’s foreign policy, and outlines the evolution of India’s party system. In the second part, the institutional and legal framework of foreign policymaking is described. In the third part, the author analyses regional parties’ attitude towards foreign policymaking with a special focus on relations with neighbouring countries (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and economic policy (attracting foreign direct investment). The regional parties chosen for a case study are All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) from West Bengal, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) from Tamil Nadu, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Odisha, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) from Punjab and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Andhra Pradesh.
