An Essay on the Foreign Policy of India

Manish Rajkoomar Articles

Free India’s first Foreign Minister and Prime Minister,

Late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, in his speeches again and again emphasized the
principles that govern her foreign policy. He pointed out that India does not
believe in the use of force to settle international disputes. He condemns war and
his efforts shall ever be directed towards the maintenance of world peace.
Imperialism and colonialism are unjust and constitute a threat to world peace. So
India is anti-colonial and anti-imperialistic in her foreign policy.

The world was divided into two power blocs-the Russian blocs and the American
bloc. India followed a policy of non-alignment with either of the two power blocs.
She believes in neutrality. But neutrality does not mean that she would not take
part in international affairs, but rather that she would judge every issue on merits
and express her views on the basis of truth without any fear or favour. She
participates actively in international affairs and is an active member U.N.O. With
the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there is now only one super-power left in
the field. That is why some people are of the view that non-alignment has lost its
relevance in world affairs. There must be a review of India’s foreign policy.

For achieving world peace-the basic objective of her foreign policy-India has laid
down the five principles known as the Panch Sheela. They are co-existence,
non-aggression, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, respect
for each other’s sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit. The Panch Sheela
principles have already been accepted by a large number of countries as
principles that would guide their conduct in international affairs.

Since independence India has consistently and firmly followed the basic
principles of her foreign policy. She remained peaceful and non-violent in matters
that closely concerned her. She refused to use force to solve the problem of
Kashmir. She has always thrown her weight in favour of world peace and
whenever and whenever any international quarrels have taken place, she has
tried that they be settled peacefully. She has never hesitated to say what she
considered to be right and proper, even though she ran the risk of displeasing
her best friends. She has always been the friend of subject peoples and has
always raised her voice in their support.

India’s sincerity and impartiality have been gradually recognized by all. Her moral
influence is high. Her device is respected by all. All are her friends. When China
attacked her, the western bloc promised her all out help. Even Russia, who
called China “comrade”, showed its willingness to help India. Thus China found
herself isolated in world-affairs. This shows the wisdom and success of India’s
policy. All recognize the wisdom of her policy. Save humanity from disaster. Her
foreign policy has been perfectly successful so far.
With the death of Shri Nehru some doubts were expressed about the
continuance of his policies. It was said that the continuance of his policies. It was
pointed out that India had no friend in the world. But this was not the case. That
is why the late Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, firmly started that he would
follow the same old policy of neutrality and non-alignment. The wisdom of his
policy was demonstrated during the 1965 war with Pakistan. Pakistan, despite
her military alliances, could get no military aid or political support from either
America or Russia.

The Late Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, also followed in the footsteps of her
illustrious father. The Indo-Soviet treaty of Friendship and peace, 1971,’made
many countries think that India was non-aligned no more. But this is not a fact.
As Late Mrs. Gandhi again and again stressed, India is ready to enter into such a
treaty with any other country of the world. This clearly shows that India is non-
aligned. She is neither Pro-Russia nor Pro-USA, but Pro-India. The Late Prime
Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao also argued forcefully for the NAM’s continuing
validity.

‘Non-alignment’ raised the prestige and moral influence of the country, and
enabled her to gain the maximum amount of friendship and goodwill. However,
as we have noted above, some re-thinking is essential in the changed
circumstances of the world. A tilt towards the USA may be more useful. Now that
the Soviet Union has disintegrated, India must look out for new friends such as
China and Iran.
India foreign policies were formulated by our national leaders ever since India's independence. The principles
of India's foreign policies are -

 Fostering cordial relations with other countries

 Solving conflicts by peaceful means
 Sovereignty and equality of all nations
 Independence of thought and action as per the principles of Non-align Movement or NAM
 Equality in conducting international relations

India - the founder member of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM), raised its voice representing
collective aspirations and interests of all the developing nations of the world. India Foreign Policy
covers vital issues of development, peace and stability. India was the first country to raise the question of racial
discrimination in South Africa in 1946 and also aims at eradicating colonialism. Indian foreign policy has been
voicing the need for complete disarmament of nuclear weapons. India has taken several initiatives within the
United Nations and outside, like Disarmament - an action plan for ushering in a nuclear weapons free and non-
violent world. Indian foreign policy has opposed discriminatory treaties such as the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and has refused to give up
its nuclear program until all nations of the world including nuclear weapon states accepts and respects the idea of
total nuclear disarmament in a phased manner.

India foreign policy has been firmly committed to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and has
made significant contributions like participating in all peace-keeping operations like those in Korea, Egypt, and
Congo in earlier years of its operation and then in Somalia, Angola, and Rwanda in recent years. India foreign
policy focuses on active participation in the creation of a more balanced international economies. India has
been an active member of the Group of 77, and later the core group of the G-15 nations. India foreign
policy constantly addresses other important issues of international importance, such as environmentally
sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights.

India Foreign Policy is well aligned with its national interests and security. A well crafted India Foreign Policy
has succeeded in establishing a network of mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world,
particularly in the improving relations with its neighbors.