Foreign Policy

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Foreign Policy

In this article , we will  deal with topic titled ‘The Foreign Policy of India after Independence.’

 

  • Mainly Nehruvian Policy is part of Post Independence syllabus
  • Main pillars of Nehruvian Foreign Policy
    • World Peace
    • Help Colonies in their struggle against Imperialism
    • Securing national interests ie economic development and growth
    • Peaceful Co-existence of nations with different ideologies

 

 

 

Non Aligned Movement

Concept
  • It is misunderstood as neutrality. But in broad terms , it refers to the freedom to decide each issue on the basis of it’s merit and then to take a stand .

 
Objectives Four broad objectives of NAM are

  • World Peace
  • Fighting against Social injustice and exploitation
  • Economic growth and development
  • To face the challenges confronting the world

 
Reasons behind emergence
  • After World War 2, world was divided into two power blocks. According to Nehru , newly independent nations would gain nothing by allying with any  block. Hence, in order to restore peace and to symbolise the struggle of nations, to ensure sovereignty and independence, NAM was introduced

 

  • NAM also served the purpose of democratization of International Relations

 
Emergence of NAM Events leading to it

Brussel Conference , 1927 It was attended by all the Colonial Countries with purpose of uniting economically and politically to raise voice wrt Right of Self Assertion

 
Delhi Conference, 1947 Purpose was to establish Asian Independence and it’s recognition at world stage .

 
Reoccupation of Indonesia by Dutch, 1948 Nehru called conference and declared that all the facilities provided to Dutch shipping would be abrogated . This created pressure and Indonesian independence was restored

 
Korean War, 1955
  • When North Korea attacked South, India gave support to US to declare Korea as aggressor . But India refused to be part of Joint Command to push back North Korean forces  due to it’s adherence to non-interference in internal affairs .

 
Bandung Conference, 1955
  • It was the first Afro-Asian Conference which took place in Indonesia where the principles of Panchsheel Policies were laid down
  1. Peaceful Co-existence
  2. Non Interference in internal matters
  3. Respect for integrity and sovereignty
  4. Equality and Mutual Benefit
  5. Non-Aggression
Suez Canal Crisis, 1956 There was a formula suggested by India which included

  • Egyptian control on Suez Canal
  • Advisory role for the users and settlement of disputes in accordance with UN Charter

 
Hungry Issue , 1958 India condemned the Soviet aggression (but refused to sign the formal condemnation)

 
Congo Conflict, 1960 India urged UN to play a decisive part , get rid of foreign troops , end the civil war and restore the Government

 
Belgrade Conference At the Belgrade Conference, NAM got politically recognised

 
Criticism by Western powers Former U.S.A. secretary of state, John Foster Dulles accused the non alignment movement with the charge of “immoral neutrality”

 

Nehru rebated the charge of Dulles, by saying that Non alignment meant having the freedom to decide each issue on its merits, to understand what was right or wrong, and then take a stand in favour of right.
Question Critically analyse the statement ‘NAM is not immoral neutrality’ in the context of the role played by India in the international affairs during Nehruvian Era.

 

 

 

 

Indo-China War, 1962

  • India was the first country to recognise People’s Republic of China and Nehru had great affliation with China due to common historical experiences and common problem of poverty and underdevelopment
  • India’s support to China was evident in Korean war and also 1954 treaty in which India recognised China’s Right over Tibet and the two countries aggreed to be gòverned in their mutual relation by Panchsheel.

 

Indo-China Issues

  • Border dispute wrt Aksai Chin and McMohan Line
  • Revolt in Tibet in 1959 and asylum to Dalai Lama (however, he was denied to carry out any political activities)
  • Forward Policy by India around McMohan Line (precipitating factor)

=> As a result, China attacked India and the war continued for One month . However, post that China declared unilateral ceasefire. But by that time, India lost the war in all the capacities.

 

 

Analysis of the war

  • It was the biggest blow to India’s self respect which affected the dynamics of politics both within India and at global level. Eg : Nehru faced the first No-Confidence Motion in 1963 and India’s relation with other countries were also impacted
  • Nehru was blamed for not being able to guard nation’s interest as against Communist betrayal . But for some , it was Nehru’s stubborness to not settle the border dispute with China and going ahead with forward policy which antagonised China.
  • Resources for the economic development and third five year plan were diverted for defence
  • However, later analysis believes that the cause of war was more related to China’s compulsion . Eg
      • Impact global stature of India as a leader of Afro-Asian newly independent nations
      • Soviet support to India
      • Border disputes with India ,
      • To topple Nehru and discredit his NAM Policy and
      • more because of Sino-Soviet differences

 

 

Relations with Pakistan

  • Kashmir Issue : Already studied

 

  • Both the government worked together to restore the abducted women to their original families

 

  • Long term dispute of river water sharing was resolved –with world Bank’s mediation and India-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty was signed by Nehru and General Ayub Khan in 1960.

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