1 Statuspolitik as Foreign Policy: Strategic Culture and India’s Nuclear Behavior Rohan Mukherjee Yale-NUS College rohan.mukherjee@yale-nus.edu.sg Prepared for the workshop on The Impact of National Cultures on Foreign Policy Making in a Multipolar World, Berlin, October 3-4, 2014. Abstract Like most countries, India since independence in 1947 has sought to create security and prosperity for its citizens. Unlike most countries, India has also sought recognition for its status as a once and future great power, at par with the top ranking states in the international system. Modern India’s foreign policy represents a continuing attempt at status maximization constrained by material inadequacy. The result has been an unwavering emphasis on self- reliance, autonomy, and symbolic equality with the great powers. In grand strategic terms, these priorities have fostered an unusual approach to 20 th -century instruments of foreign policy such as the use of force, balancing, economic diplomacy, and multilateralism—India’s statuspolitik is particularly evident in its behavior toward the international regime for the control of nuclear weapons. Going forward, India’s quest is likely to be the victim of its own success. The world has begun to accord India the status it seeks, but New Delhi is unable to meet the expectations that come with this recognition.