India’s Foreign Policy
India is a peace loving country. India does not believe in violence or aggression for settling international disputes. Its policy for settlement of disputes had always been through dialogues and mutual understanding. As far as world politics or international affairs are concerned, India has always followed the policy of neutrality. When the world was divided into two power blocks-one headed by the Soviet Union and the other by the USA, India followed the policy of non-alignment. Indian freedom struggle through the way of non-violence caught the attention of great leaders across the world. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, had a basic grounding of world affairs, which many other world leaders did not have. Till the time he was at the helm of affairs, he did not see any virtue to align himself with a world that was divided into groups and cold war was going on. And there were many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America which saw indisputable logic in India’s stand. Nehru evolved the concept of non-alignment with President Nasser of Egypt and president Tito of Yugoslavia. Non-Alignment became a powerful force for a long period. It had a significant role in world affairs. India’s unique strength of positive neutrality helped in finding a solution to the Korean war, the Suez Canal crisis and other major international disputes.
The idea of India electing to stay within the commonwealth was moulded by Jawahar Lal Nehru and his able lieutenant V. K. Krishna Menon. It was indeed in conformity with India’s great tradition of “forget and forgive” and start a new chapter according to the aspirations of the people. India’s stand was taken by other countries in Asia and Africa who also chose to remain in the commonwealth.
Behind a soft exterior, India always defended the unity and integrity of the country. India set up an example for taking up the challenges from external world in a way of securing its interest. But it always carried on the banner of non-alignment for its own interest and in the interest of member countries. The developing or under developing countries having friendly relations with India followed the principle of non-alignment and got political protection and benefit on other spheres out of it.
India always participated in international affairs freely and fearlessly. It judged every issue on the merit and truth. India supported the protection of human rights and freedom of the countries through peaceful means.
India has great faith in the UNO. Its trust is that only the UNO can maintain peace and security of the world selflessly. The UNO can fight against violation of human rights, and can also sort out the problems of poverty, illiteracy, humanitarian, economic, social affairs of the world. India has always been an active member of the UNO. It has co-operated with the UNO for solving all the affairs of the world. India never worked under pressure of the USA, which is the sole superpower of the world. India took firm stand against the war on Iraq during 2003, and categorically stated that Indian troops would be sent to Iraq only under the UN aegis. India took this decision by following the reality and in the true interest of the people of Iraq despite knowing that its decision would antagonize the USA. We have seen that this policy was virtually adopted by every country, which were opposing the war. Though the powerful countries like China, Russia, France and Germany were very circumspect in their dealings with America, all of them backed India’s stand on Iraq.
Moreover, for the first time in the tricky trade negotiations, India sought to represent the voice of third world blocking the efforts of rich countries to formulate a trade regime that suited the interests of western countries at the cost of billions of poor living in Asia, Africa and Oceania. India was fully backed in this venture by great countries like China, Brazil, and South Africa. In fact, India came closer to the countries in the South-East Asian region by virtue of its effective role.
The idea of greater co-operation between India on the one hand, and Brazil and South Africa on the other, is already on the anvil. The idea was that the economic co-operation would lead towards big political gain. India, together with the two countries, played a stellar role in thwarting western efforts for pushing through the concessions on agricultural subsidies at WTO conference in Geneva during 2004. It was a big political victory which India achieved by mobilizing the opinions of developing countries.
India has always played an important role for maintaining friendly relations with all the countries particularly with the neighbouring countries. India has improved relations both with China and Pakistan during the recent past. India never initiated war against any country. It retaliated for ensuring country’s defence. India is a nuclear power. India has the firm policy for keeping away the nuclear capability unless it is forced to do so for its defence.
India believes that regional co-operation is very essential for the upliftment of the countries in the region. India has been playing a significant role for making SAARC more and more effective in regional co-operation, for enabling the region to become a free trade zone. India could do its best being a large country in this region.
Before independence, the pattern of trade in India was colonial and agricultural. The bulk of our foreign trade was confined to Britain and other Commonwealth countries. After independence there has been impressive industrial development in the country and India’s foreign trade has undergone a complete change. India has succeeded to change the scenario through its tremendous progress and forceful foreign policy on trade. We could make very effective trading links practically with all the countries of the world.
India is known all over the world for its positive and peace loving policy. India is always recognised as a true democratic and responsible country. It is the reason why the great countries of the world rely on India for its virtual policies and constructive response in all the affairs of the world.
