QUES . “The foreign policy of independent India was strongly influenced by Pre-independence stance of Indian leaders.” Comment.
RELEVANCE : UPSC GS MAINS PAPER I ; TOPIC : Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
The foreign policy of independent India was strongly influenced by Pre-independence stance of Indian
leaders, which was based on four basic principles:
● Opposition to imperialism and colonial rule.
● Active sympathy and support to the people fighting for independence.
● Opposition to militarism, war and devotion to peace.
● Avoiding foreign entanglements for India.
Through these principles the cause of democracy was advocated and imperialism and colonialism were denounced.
Guided by these ideals, India later became founder member of the Non-aligned Movement and torchbearer of Third World radicalism also.
India played an active role in strengthening the Non-aligned Movement and making it an effective voice in representing the collective aspirations and interests of the developing countries on such vital issues as development, peace and stability. Further, it was focussed against menaces fascism, apartheid, imperialism, racism etc.
The foreign policy of the country strived for world peace, arms race reduction, diplomatic resolution of conflicts, disarmament etc.
A belief in friendly relations with neighbours and all countries of the world was imbibed in the foreign policy. Along with this the foreign policy also advocated:
● The resolution of conflicts by peaceful means.
● The sovereign equality of all states.
● Independence of thought and action as manifested in the principles of Non-alignment.
● Equity in the conduct of international relations.
● Improvement of bilateral relations and strengthening of regional co-operation.
● Strong advocacy of general and complete disarmament. India’s formidable stance towards unversal disarmament and resistance to treaties like NPT and CTBT was also guided by ideals of peace.
● Firmly committed to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Further, Gandhian ideals of truth, nonviolence, tolerance and Idealism mixed with notion of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbkam; Nehruvian rhetoric of socialist development at democratic front and policy of non-alignment became the cornerstones of India’s foreign policy.
However some aspects of the foreign policy are not dependent on the freedom struggle like:-
India going for Pokharan-I and Pokharan-II towards safeguarding its vital national security interests.
India’s intervention in Bangledesh’s Liberation War.
Surgical strike done by Indian Air Force shows that India is ready to take hard stance at the event of threat to its security.
Also India has signed the LEMOA agreement under which it will provide backend support and refuel to US military equipment this shows that India is ready to abandon Non Alignment
Development of Nuclear weapons to ensure india’s interest in opposition to disarmament values of freedom fighters.
Thus, 1991 market led reforms and India’s quest to be a serious and major player in world and ensuring its national interest against nuclear armed neighbours has lead to little deviation from ideas of freedom fighters. However, it was essential to ensure safe and continued existence of the nation in changed global geo-political scenario.
