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India's External Relations

India’s External Relations

India's External Relations** refers to the country's interactions, policies, and strategies concerning other nations and international organizations. It encompasses diplomacy, trade, security, cultural exchange, and India's role in global affairs.

In the initial decades after independence, India's foreign policy was significantly shaped by the global geopolitical landscape of the Cold War and its own developmental priorities.


Policy Of Non-Alignment

The cornerstone of India's foreign policy from independence was the Policy of Non-Alignment**. This policy emerged in the context of the Cold War, where the world was divided into two major power blocs led by the United States (capitalist bloc) and the Soviet Union (communist bloc).

Nehru’s Role

Jawaharlal Nehru**, India's first Prime Minister, was the principal architect and chief proponent of Non-Alignment. He envisioned an independent foreign policy for India that would:

  • Maintain Sovereignty: Avoid entanglement in the military alliances and power struggles of the superpowers.
  • Pursue National Interest: Focus on India's own developmental needs and foreign policy objectives.
  • Promote Peace: Work towards global peace and disarmament.
  • Support Decolonization: Advocate for the freedom and self-determination of newly independent nations in Asia and Africa.

Distance From Two Camps

The core principle of Non-Alignment was to maintain distance from the two Cold War camps**:

  • Avoiding Alliances: India refused to join either the NATO (led by the US) or the Warsaw Pact (led by the USSR).
  • Independent Stance: It aimed to take an independent stance on international issues based on its assessment of the situation and its own national interest, rather than aligning with one bloc.
  • Focus on Peace and Cooperation: Non-Aligned countries sought to foster cooperation among themselves and promote peaceful resolution of disputes.

Afro-Asian Unity

Non-Alignment was closely linked to the broader goal of Afro-Asian Unity**:

  • Solidarity of Newly Independent Nations: India sought to build solidarity among the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa, many of which had recently emerged from colonial rule.
  • Shared Experiences: These nations shared common experiences of colonialism and a desire for self-determination and economic development.
  • Bandung Conference (1955): This conference, attended by Nehru and leaders from many Asian and African countries, was a significant milestone in promoting Afro-Asian solidarity and crystallizing the principles of Non-Alignment. It aimed to foster cooperation and mutual respect among these nations.

The policy of Non-Alignment was a defining feature of India's foreign policy for several decades, reflecting its aspirations for an independent role in a bipolar world.


Peace And Conflict With China

India's relationship with China after independence has been complex, characterized by periods of hope for friendship and periods of significant conflict.

The Chinese Invasion, 1962

The Sino-Indian War of 1962** was a major turning point in India's external relations and a severe blow to the policy of Non-Alignment and Afro-Asian unity.

  • Border Dispute: The conflict primarily arose over differing perceptions of the India-China border, particularly in the Aksai Chin region and the McMahon Line in the East.
  • "Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai" Era Ends: Initially, relations were cordial, marked by the slogan "Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai" (India-China Brotherhood). However, disagreements over the border and differing political systems began to strain relations.
  • Tawang Sector Invasion: China launched a major offensive in October 1962, advancing into India's territory in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.
  • Indian Defeat: India suffered a significant military defeat, which led to a loss of international prestige for Nehru and a re-evaluation of India's foreign policy and defence preparedness.
  • Impact on Non-Alignment: The invasion challenged the premise of Afro-Asian unity and forced India to seek new security partnerships, leading to closer ties with the Soviet Union.
  • Subsequent Relations: While relations began to normalize slowly in the late 1970s and 1980s, the border dispute and underlying mistrust have remained a significant factor in bilateral relations.

The 1962 war profoundly impacted India's foreign policy and its perception of China.


Wars And Peace With Pakistan

India's relationship with Pakistan, its neighbour formed at the time of Partition, has been largely adversarial, marked by wars, border conflicts, and periods of tension.

  • Kashmir Dispute: The unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir, claimed by both nations, has been the primary source of conflict since independence.
  • First War (1947-48): Following Pakistan's tribal invasion of Kashmir, India intervened, leading to the first war. A UN-brokered ceasefire divided Kashmir.
  • Second War (1965): Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, an attempt to infiltrate Kashmir, which escalated into another war. The conflict ended in a ceasefire, with little change in the ground position.
  • Warsaw Pact Support: The Soviet Union’s support for India during the 1965 war, while the US imposed an arms embargo on both sides, hinted at evolving geopolitical alignments.

Bangladesh War, 1971

The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971** was a pivotal event in the subcontinent's history and significantly impacted India-Pakistan relations.

  • Context: Political turmoil and a brutal military crackdown by West Pakistan against the Bengali population in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) led to a large-scale refugee crisis in India.
  • Indian Intervention: India provided support to the Mukti Bahini (Bengali freedom fighters) and, after diplomatic efforts failed, intervened militarily, leading to a decisive victory for India and the creation of Bangladesh.
  • Outcome: The war resulted in the surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers. The Simla Agreement followed, where both countries agreed to resolve disputes peacefully, but the underlying issues remained largely unresolved.
  • Impact: This war solidified India's regional dominance and led to a significant setback for Pakistan.

Despite periods of peace initiatives (like the Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration), tensions and conflicts with Pakistan have persisted.


India’s Nuclear Policy

India's nuclear policy has evolved significantly since independence, reflecting its security concerns and strategic autonomy.

  • Early Stance: Initially, India under Jawaharlal Nehru strongly advocated for nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. India conducted its first nuclear test, 'Smiling Buddha', in 1974, officially labelling it a "peaceful nuclear explosion."
  • No-First-Use Policy: Following the 1974 test, India maintained a policy of not using nuclear weapons first.
  • Post-Pokhran-II (1998): India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, officially declaring itself a nuclear weapons state. This followed Pakistan's nuclear tests.
  • Current Policy: India currently maintains a doctrine of "credible minimum deterrence" and a policy of "no-first-use" against any country, particularly nuclear weapon states, and would reserve the right to retaliate with unacceptable damage against a nuclear attack.
  • Strategic Autonomy: India's nuclear policy is seen as a key element of its strategic autonomy, allowing it to deter potential adversaries and secure its national interests in a volatile region.
  • International Scrutiny: India's nuclear tests led to international sanctions, but it has since worked to integrate into global non-proliferation regimes while maintaining its strategic capabilities.