International Context
India was born in a very trying and challenging international context. The world had witnessed a devastating war and was grappling with issues of reconstruction; yet another attempt to establish an international body was underway; many new countries were emerging as a result of the collapse of colonialism; and most new nations were trying to come to terms with the twin challenges of welfare and democracy. Free India's foreign policy reflected all these concerns in the period immediately after Independence.
Apart from these factors at the global level, India had its own share of concerns. The British Government left behind the legacy of many international disputes; Partition created its own pressures and the task of poverty alleviation was already waiting for fulfillment. This was the overall context in which India started participating in the world affairs as an independent nation-state.
India is a nation born in the back drop of the World War, it decided to formulate its foreign relations with a goal to respect the sovereignty of all other nations and to accomplis security through the maintenance of peace. This goal finds echo in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution.
Indian foreign policy is influenced by both domestic and international environmental factors. The Foreign policy of Independent India advocated the policy of Non-alignment reduce the Cold War tensions.
Policy of Non-Alignment
Non-alignment is the most important feature of India's foreign policy. Its core element is to maintain independence in foreign affairs by not joining any military alliance formed by the USA and Soviet Union, which emerged as an important aspect of Cold War politics after the Second World War. It postulates taking an independent stand on international issues according to the merits of each case but at the same time not committing to coming under the influence of any military bloc.
India played a lead role in popularising and consolidating the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). After the end of Cold War, NAM proved to be a powerful mechanism to forge South-South cooperation, which is essential for their collective self-reliance in the present market driven global order.
Nehru's Role
Our first PM Jawaharlal Nehru played a significant role
in setting the national agenda. He was also the Foreign
Minister so he greatly influenced the formulation and implementation of India's Foreign Policy from 1946 to 1964.
His Foreign Policy was based on three major objectives
(i) To preserve the hard-earned sovereignty.
(ii) To protect territorial integrity of India.
(iii) To promote rapid economic development.
Nehru wished to achieve these objectives through the strategy of Non-alignment. But there were leaders and Political parties like B.R. Ambedkar, Bhartiya Jan Sangh and Swatantra Party who were in favour of pro-US foreign policy
Distance from Two Camps
The foreign coverage of unbiased India vigorously pursued the dream of a peaceful world by advocating the policy of no alignment, by means of lowering Cold War tensions and by contributing human resources to the UN peacekeeping operations.
In 1956 when Britain attacked Egypt over the Suez Canal issues, India led the world protest towards this neo Colonial invasion.
India led to the world protest against this neo-colonial invasion. But in the same year when the USSR invaded Hungary, India did not join its public condemnation. Despit such a situation, by and large India did take and independer stand on various international issues nad could get aid and assistance from members of both blocs.
While India was trying to convince the other developing countries about the policy of non-alignment, Pakistan joine the USA led military alliances and the US become now not happy about India's independent initiatives and the policy non-alignment.
Therefore, there was a considerable unease in Indo-US relations during 1950s. The US additionally resented India' growing partnership with Soviet Union.
Principles of India's Foreign Policy
The principles of India's foreign policy and its objectives ar closely interlinked with each other. Some of these principle are discussed below
Panchsheel
Nehru gave utmost importance to world peace in his policy planning. He was the main architect of foreign policy afte independence. For him, India desired peaceful and friendl relations with all countries, particularly the big powers an the neighbouring nations. While signing a peace agreemen with China; he advocated adherence to five guiding princi known as Panchsheel.
Panchsheel was signed on 28th April, 1954 and since then has become a guiding principle of India's bilateral relation
with other countries also. Panchsheel includes the following five principles of foreign Policy.
Afro-Asian Unity
The Indian National Movement was not an isolated process. It was a part of the worldwide struggle against colonialism and imperialism. It influenced the freedom movements of many Asian and African countries. Because of India's size, location and power potential, Nehru wishe a greater role of India in world affairs particularly in Asian affairs. Under the leadership of Nehru, India's relation w newly independent nations of Asia and Africa was strengthened. Nehru had been a great advocate of Asian unity. India called Asian Relations Conference in March 1947 even five months before the independence.
India was a staunch supporter of the decolonisation and firmly opposed racism, particularly apartheid in South Africa. The Afro-Asian Conference known as the Bandur Conference was held in 1955. This Bandung Conference later led to the establishment of the NAM. The Bandung Conference marked the climax of India's engagement w the newly Independent Asian and African nations. The summit of the NAM was held in Belgrade in September 1961. Nehru was a co-founder of the NAM.
Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
This principle has been included in the Constitution of India, under the Directive Principles of State Policy as w as in the Charter of the UN. India has played leading ro the resolution of Korean conflict and supported negotia settlement of Palestine issue, Kashmir problem, border problems with neighbouring countries and other such disputes.
The Chinese Invasion 1962
The relationship between India and China strained because of the following factors
. In 1950, China annexed Tibet which removed a historical buffer between two countries. Initially, India didn't oppose it openly, but later it resented this issue when information regarding Tibetan culture suppression came up.
⚫ Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader sought and obtained political asylum in India in 1959China opposed this move by declaring that India is supporting anti-China activities.
. China and India were involved in a border conflict in 1962 over competing territorial claims principally in Arunachal Pradesh and in the Aksai Chin region of Ladakh. The conflict of 1962, in which India suffered military reverses, had long-term implications for India-China relations.
Relations after Chinese Invasion
• India took military assistance from US and Britain to move over the crises. The Soviet Union remained neutral during this invasion.
• Diplomatic relations between the two countries were downgraded until 1976. Thereafter, relations between th two countries began to improve slowly.
• After the change in China's political leadership from the mid to late 1970s, China's policy became more pragmati and less ideologicalSo, it was prepared to put off the settlement of contentious issues while improving relations with India.
Since then both governments have taken measures to Contain conflict and maintain peace and tranquillity on he border. They have also signed agreements on cultural Exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and opened four border posts for trade.
With India-China trade growing at 30 per cent per year since 1999, a more positive perspective on relations with China has emerged. Bilateral trade between India and China has increased from $338 million in 1992 to more than $84 billion in 2017.
At the global level, India and China have adopted similar policies in international economic institutions like the World Trade Organisation.
Consequences of Chinese Invasion
The China war tarnished (spoiled) India's image at home and abroad. India had to request military assistance from US and British. The USSR remained neutral during the war. It caused a sense of national humiliation and also strengthened the spirit of nationalism at the same time. Some of the top army commanders either resigned or were retired. Nehru's close associate and then Defence Minister, V Krishna Menon had to resign from the cabinet. Nehru's own reputation suffered, as he was criticised for lack of military preparedness and inexperienced assessment of the Chinese intention.
For the first time, a no-confidence motion against Nehru's government was moved and debated in the Lok Sabha. Besides, the Congress also lost some key by-elections to Lok Sabha.
The Sino-Indian conflict created differences between pro-China and pro-USSR factions of CPI (Communist Party of India). This party later in 1964 split into CPI and Communist Party of India-Marxists (CPI-M).
The China war also captured the attention of Indian leadership to the condition of North-East region. The attempts have been made to resolve the challenge of national integration through reorganisation process soon after China war.
Nagaland was granted statehood and Manipur and Tripura were given the right to elect their own legislative assemblies.
India Israel Relations
India's Foreign policy with Israel remained unexplored notwithstanding the two nations gaining independence from the British colonial rule in 1947 and 1948 respectively. Both countries share historical and cultural ties from the past. But the formal diplomatic relations developed between the two after the opening of Israeli Embassy in India in 1992. Since then the bilateral relationship between the two countries has prospered at the economic, military, agricultural and political levels.
After the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries started gaining firmness in 1996 and 1998 onwards. India has become one of Israel's largest trading partners, many of the world's leading high-tech companies in Israel and India are forging joint ventures that are successfully competing in the tough international marketplace. Trade and cooperation between t countries now centres primarily on security-related deals and aid in areas such as agriculture and water desalination.
The relations between the two democratic nations are furth intensified with the visits of the two heads of government i PM Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017 and PM Benjamin Netanyahu to India in 2018. The two nations have started cooperation in various fields like cultural exchange, security defence, counterterrorism, space research, water, energy and agricultural development.
Multiple collaborative agreements were signed between Indian and Israel during Modi's visit. Like for instance, The Israel Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organization signed an agreement to foster partnership in development of electric propulsion systems for small satellites, and creating systems to accurately measure the extreme conditions of outer space.
Check Point
1. The Chinese Revolution took place in....
02
2. India-China relations are now based upon. .......dimensions.
3. When did formal diplomatic relations between Ind and Israel develop?
4. When did PM Narendra Modi visit Israel?
India's Relations with Its Neighbours
India's relations with its neighbours not only depend upo
developments in individual countries but also the broader
trends which shape the region as a whole. India's relation
with neighbouring countries are discussed below in detai
War and Peace with Pakistan
After the partition, dispute between both these countries started over the issue of Kashmir. A proxy war broke out between India and Pakistan forces in Kashmir in 1947
though, this didn't led to a full-scale war. On the other and, cooperation between India and Pakistan was not opped due to Kashmir dispute. Both the governments orked together to restore the abducted women to their iginal families during the partition."
long-term dispute about the sharing of river waters was solved through mediation by the World Bank.
dia-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty was signed by Nehru nd General Ayub Khan in 1960. In 1965, a serious armed nflict between these two countries came into existence Then Pakistan started the armed attack in Jammu and ashmir. Rulers of Pakistan were hoping to get support of cal people but it didn't happen. To ease the pressure on ashmir front, Lal Bahadur Shastri (then PM) ordered dian troops to launch a counter-offensive strategy on th unjab Border and successfully Indian army reached near Lahore.
ne conflict came to an end with the interference of UN. ter in January 1966, Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur astri and Pakistan's General Ayub Khan signed the shkent Agreement under the mediation of USSR.
t Issues of Conflict Present
Cross-border Terrorism Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remains a core concern in bilateral relations. India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan end cross to take credible, irreversible and verifiable action to s border terrorism against India and fulfil its Assurances.
Kashmir Issue This is one of the most sensitive issues between India and Pakistan. There was no forward movement in bilateral ties in 2020 due to the mistrust between the two countries, especially on the Kashmir issue.
India-Bangladesh Relations ngladesh is critical for India's security, the development of th
North-East and the success of its 'Look East Policy. The two Countries have had a troubled relationship since the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in 1975. But later, ateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown teadilyBangladesh is India's biggest trade partner in South As and India is the second biggest trade partner of Banglades The multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries ranges from traditional sectors of tourism, health and education frontier technologies of nuclear science, space and nformation technology
The relationship between both the countries is based on sovereignty, equality, trust, understanding and partnership that goes far beyond a strategic partnershipIn the last couple of ears, the relationship has been further strengthened including hrough cooperation in new and high-technology areas.
India-Nepal Relations
Both India and Nepal enjoys excellent bilateral ties with each other. The frequent high level visits by the leaders of the two countries at different points of time and the interactions constitute the hallmark of the ties between the two countries. India has been a key economic development partner of NepalStrong support and solidarity from the Government of India in advancing its home-grown peace process as well as in the process of writing the Constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly is provided.
In terms of trade, India is Nepal's largest trading partnerIndia has provided transit facility to Nepal for the third country trade. Both public and private sectors of India have invested in NepalBoth Nepal and India have common approach to regional and multilateral institutions and hence, work in tandem in the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement and other international forum on most of the important international issues.
in major issues of international interest. Bilateral Exchanges at various levels over the past year and ignificant progress in implementation of evelopmental assistance projects has helped to Enhance friendship among both the nations..
Trade between the two countries grew particularly apidly after the entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka ree Trade Agreement in March 2000. Tourism also orms an important link between India and Sri Lanka nd India is the largest source market for Sri Lankan
Tourism. mdia and Sri Lanka also enjoy a growing defence elationship built on extensive training and ervice-to-Service linkages. The commonality of oncerns of both countries, including with respect to the afety and security of their sea lanes of communication,
aforms their bilateral exchanges in this field.
India -Myanmar Relations
The geographical proximity of the two countries has elped develop and sustain cordial relations and cilitated people-to people contact. India and Myanmar nare a long land border of over 1600 km and a aritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
number of agreements enhancing bilateral poperation have been signed between the two ountries. Institutional mechanisms for facilitating gular dialogue on a range of issues of bilateral interest ave also been established. High level visits have been a gular feature of India-Myanmar relations for several ears.
Myanmar is also the beneficiary of a duty-free tariff reference scheme for Least Developed Countries DCS). India is also providing assistance in setting up stitutions for higher learning and research, namely yanmar Institute of Information Technology, dvanced Centre for Agricultural Research and ucation, Myanmar-India Centre for Enhancement of Skills, India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centres.
the other hand, Internal Security is a major concern India: Indo-Myanmar border is porous and lightly liced which is exploited by terrorist outfits and surgent groups from North-Eastern part of India e.g. pply of trained cadres, arms trafficking.
India's Nuclear Programme
The first Nuclear explosion was carried out by India in ay, 1974. Nehru had great faith in science and hnology for building modern India rapidly. An portant part of his industrialisation plans was clear Programme in the late 1940s under the idance of Homi J Bhabha.
Nehru was against nuclear weapons. So, he advocated f comprehensive nuclear disarmament in the world. Whe Communist China conducted nuclear test in October 19 the five nuclear powered and permanent members of U Security Council- USA, USSR, UK, France and China (Taiwan representing China) imposed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on the rest of the wo India termed NPT as discriminatory and had refused to it. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. When India conducted the first nuclear test, i was called as peaceful explosion. India asserted that it w committed to the policy of peaceful use of nuclear powe The period of conducting the nuclear test was a challengi period in domestic politics. There was economic turmoil high inflation in India due to high rising of oil prices caus by Arab-Israel War of 1973. Numerous agitation, demonstration and nationwide strike by railway union a trade union were going on.
There are minor differences among political parties abo how to conduct external relations, Indian politics is generally marked by a broad agreement among the part on national integration, protection of international boundaries and on questions of national interest.
During the decade of 1962-1971, when India faced thre wars or even later, when different parties came to powe from time to time, foreign policy has played only a limite role in party politics.
India's nuclear policy has always been peace-oriented, whose clear impression is reflected in the form of the p of 'No First Use'. But as per the contemporary regional security challenges, the government led by PM Narend Modi held that policy of no first use can be reviewed an changed in accordance to the regional and national sec
In addition to this, India is committed to ensure its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and opposes the unjust treaties like CTBT and NPT