Indian Foreign Policy
International situation
• Situations inside and outside a country influence foreign relations.
• World situations outside a country are called international situations.
• Foreign policy is shaped by the influence of international and national circumstances.
International conditions during the period of India's independence
The period after World War II. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the world's two superpowers. A time when more countries gained independence from colonial rule. Many countries that gained independence were willing or forced to follow the foreign policy of the superpowers that were ready to help them. This divided the world into two blocs: the capitalist bloc led by the United States and the communist bloc led by the Soviet Union. The two blocs became hostile to each other, which marked the beginning of the Cold War.
Non Alignment Policy
Even before independence, there were relations between Indian national leaders and national leaders of other colonies. They were united by a common struggle against imperialism and colonial rule. The formation of the Indian National Army ( INA) by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during World War II is a classic example of the relationship between India and overseas Indians during the freedom struggle. This period also witnessed developments such as the establishment of the United Nations, the development of nuclear weapons, the rise of Communist China, and the beginning of decolonization. Therefore, in the prevailing international context, India's leadership had to pursue national interests. International circumstances influenced India's foreign policy in very different ways.
While most countries were willing to join either of these two blocs, some countries in Asia and Africa, led by India, adopted a policy of not joining either bloc. Thus, the policy of non-alignment became the basis of Indian foreign policy.
National circumstances that led to the adoption of the policy of non-alignment
• The division of the nation and the severe internal problems that followed.
• Economic backwardness and resource poverty.
• India was lagging far behind in economic growth.
• Severe poverty and unemployment persisted in the country.
In this situation, India needed the help of both blocs. India identified the most suitable policy to obtain the help of both blocs and reflected it in our foreign policy. The policy of non-alignment is an independent foreign policy without joining any of the blocs. Post-independence Indian politics aimed at maintaining equal distance from both blocs and friendship with all countries. This policy emphasized the political and economic interests of developing countries. The policy of non-alignment was assessed as the most suitable policy to reduce the intensity of the Cold War and protect India's national interest.
Nehru's role in foreign policy formulation
Prime Minister Nehru was the architect of Indian foreign policy. He was also in charge of the Ministry of External Affairs. Nehru had three objectives in mind in shaping India's foreign policy.
• Protect India's sovereignty.
• Preserve the integrity of the country
• Accelerate economic growth
Nehru moved towards the idea of the policy of non-alignment by making Afro-Asian unity possible through the Non-Aligned Movement. Nehru's contributions to Afro-Asian unity and the Non-Aligned Movement are immense.
Afro-Asian Alliance
Nehru and India were noticed in the international arena through India's foreign policy. Nehru took steps to form the Non-Aligned Movement by ensuring the unity of the countries of Asia and Africa. During Nehru's era, India began strong foreign relations with the countries of Africa and Asia. Nehru was an advocate of Asian unity. Even before India became independent, he convened the Asian Relations Conference in Delhi in March 1947. He convened an international conference in 1949 for Indonesian independence. He strongly opposed racial discrimination. The Afro-Asian Conference held in the Indonesian city of Bandung in 1955 is a testament to the friendship that India maintained with the newly independent Asian and African countries. This conference later paved the way for the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement. The first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Belgrade, the Yugoslav capital, in September 1961. Nehru was one of the founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Peace and conflict with China
Relations between independent India and China were initially friendly. The Five Principles of Panchsheel were signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 29 April 1954.
Instructions in the Five Principles of Panchsheel
• Mutual recognition of the country's borders and sovereignty
• Do not attack each other.
• Non-interference in each other's internal affairs
• Maintain equality and mutual assistance
• Maintain peaceful coexistence
Nehru saw China as a good friend of India and gave them all kinds of support. Although Nehru did not expect an attack from China, his colleagues like Vallabhbhai Patel were concerned about this issue.
Chinese attack in 1962
Main issues that led to the war between India and China in 1962
1. Tibetan issue
2. Border dispute
1. Tibetan issue
Tibet is a region that India and China wanted to remain independent. China invaded Tibet and made it a part of it in 1959. An uprising began in Tibet against this. China tried to suppress these uprisings vigorously. India condemned it and was upset with the suppression of the freedom and culture of the Tibetan people. In 1959, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, sought political asylum in India after escaping the Chinese attack. Although China opposed giving him asylum, India refused and granted him asylum. This was seen by China as an anti-China act and became the main reason for the war between the two countries.
2. Border dispute
China was not ready to accept India's claim that the border issue between the two countries was resolved during the colonial period. China also claimed the Aksai Chin region in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of the present-day state of Arunachal Pradesh (NEFA – North Eastern Frontier Agency). Although India-China talks were held, no solution was reached. They also caused war on this issue. In October 1962, China simultaneously attacked the Aksai Chin region of Kashmir and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. China unilaterally declared a ceasefire in December 1962. China's completely unexpected attack affected India in various ways. The Chinese attack tarnished the country's image both inside and outside India.
To overcome the crisis, help had to be sought from the leadership of both the power blocs. With little help from the United States and Britain, and complete silence from the Soviet Union, India was completely isolated. Nehru's leadership and foreign policy were severely criticized within India. A no-confidence motion was presented against the government in the Lok Sabha. Taking responsibility for the defeat, many army officers and the Minister of National Defence V.K. Krishna Menon had to resign. In the by-elections to the Lok Sabha held after the war, the Congress Party was defeated in many constituencies. The Chinese attack also affected the opposition. This led to the split of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Those who recognized China as the leader of the world communist movement and were inclined towards Chinese communism split from the CPI and formed a new party called CPI(M). Those who accepted the Soviet Union as the leader of the world communist movement and aligned themselves with it continued to be the CPI. It paved the way for strengthening national consciousness in India and for the development and empowerment of the northeastern region of India, which shares a border with China.
India-China Relations After 1962
It took more than a decade for India-China relations to normalize after the war. Full diplomatic relations were reestablished between the two countries in 1976. In 1979, External Affairs Minister A.B. Vajpayee visited China. Rajiv Gandhi, who came to power in 1984, was the first Prime Minister to visit China after Nehru.
Wars and Peace with Pakistan
Immediately after the partition of India and Pakistan, a war-like atmosphere arose between India and Pakistan over Kashmir in 1947. The Kashmir issue was referred to the United Nations for consideration. Although Kashmir remained an issue between the two countries, it did not hinder cooperation between the two governments. In 1960, India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty to share the waters of the Indus River.
The 1965 War
In 1965, India took strong military action against the Pakistani army's Operation Gibraltar. The conflict was over Kashmir. This is known as the Second Indo-Pakistani War. The conflict, which began on August 5, 1965 and ended on September 23, caused heavy blow on both sides. Following the intervention of the then superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, a ceasefire was implemented. The famous Tashkent Agreement is part of this. On January 10, 1966, the agreement was signed in Tashkent, then part of the Soviet Union, by Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
The 1971 War
The 1971 war was caused by developments related to the formation of present-day Bangladesh (East Pakistan). After the victory, the unwillingness to give governance to East Pakistan led to a massive popular uprising. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested without respecting the public sentiment and the uprisings were strongly suppressed. Following this, the people of East Pakistan declared the region an independent country under the name 'Bangladesh' and fought fiercely against the Pakistani army. The Indian army entered East Pakistan and fought a war against West Pakistan in December 1971. Subsequently, in 1971, the country of Bangladesh came into existence. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took office as the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh (in 1972). The Simla Agreement was signed on 3 July 1972. The Simla Agreement was signed by Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Kargil War (1999)
In 1999, militants crossed the Line of Control with the help of the Pakistani army and infiltrated the 'Kargil' region of Kashmir. This led to the Indo-Pak conflict. This was a conflict confined to the Kargil region. The Indian army recaptured the Kargil region, which was captured by the Pakistani army and Mujahideen terrorists.
Foreign Relations during UPA Government (2004-2014)
The UPA government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was in power from 2004 to 2014.
India-China Relations: In 2005, China removed Sikkim from Chinese map and accepted it India's part. In 2006, two countries agreed to open the Nathula pass (Sikkim) after a lapse of four decades. Despite political problems, the two countries have been trying to expand trade and commercial relations. The border defense cooperation agreement was signed in 2013 between India and China.
Indo-US 123 Agreement: In 2008, India and USA signed a nuclear deal, which ended India's nuclear isolation and paved the way for cooperation with US in the civil nuclear sector.
Land Border Agreement with Bangladesh: The resolution of the boundary dispute with Bangladesh in 2014 involved the exchange of 162 enclaves between the two countries.
Look East Policy: In order to improve relations with nations in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific area, the government implemented a "Look East" policy.
The India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement: To increase commerce and investment between the two regions, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a free trade agreement in 2010.
UN Security Council Reforms: Inorder to increase India's global influence, the government argued for the permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Foreign Relations during NDA Government (2014-Present)
Under National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, India's foreign policy has been characterized by an emphasis on strengthening ties with nations in the Indo-Pacific region as well as attempts to strengthen ties with longstanding allies like the US and Russia.
Neighbourhood First Policy: The policy of the government's "Neighborhood First" program is to improve ties with nations in the Indian Ocean region and South Asia.
Act East Policy: Through increasing trade and investment, cultural exchanges, and infrastructure development, it seeks to strengthen strategic and economic connections with nations in the Indo-Pacific area.
SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Membership: Along with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, a regional security group that has accepted India and Pakistan as full members.
The India-US Strategic Partnership: It has progressed in recent years and involves collaboration on a number of topics, such as commerce, energy, defense, and counterterrorism.
Sustainable development commitments: India's involvement in the Paris Climate Agreement and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boost the use of renewable energy have been important developments in the country's international relations.
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