| MPSE-001 | INDIA AND THE WORLD |
Foreign Policies are a set of plan of action for diplomatic dealings with International nations and bodies and regional grouping.
The foreign policy of India aims to maintain international peace and security, to oppose imperialism, to stand against the apartheid policy, to propagate the peaceful and political settlement of international disputes, to foster peaceful coexistence, to remain non-aligned and non-committed, and to maintain the unity and solidarity of the Third World.
Major Objectives of India’s Foreign Policy
The major objectives governing India’s Foreign policy are detailed below:
The preservation of India’s territorial integrity and independence of foreign policy:
· The territorial integrity and protection of national boundaries from foreign aggression is the core interest of a nation.
· India had gained hard-earned independence from foreign rule after a long time. Thus, it was natural for her to give due emphasis on the independence of foreign policy.
Promoting international peace and security:
· India as a ‘newly independent and developing country rightly realized that international peace and development are correlated.
· Her emphasis on disarmament and the policy of keeping away from military alliances is intended to promote global peace.
The economic development of India:
· The fast development of the country was the fundamental requirement of India at the time of independence.
· It was also required to strengthen democracy and freedom in the country
· In order to gain financial resources and technology from both blocks and to concentrate her energy on the development, India opted away from the power bloc politics, which was the defining feature of Cold War international politics.
Basic Principles Governing India’s Foreign Policy
The principles have stood the test of time and are ingrained in international law and India’s foreign policy practice. The principles of Indian foreign policy are as follows –
A. Panchsheel
India desired peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, particularly the big powers and the neighbouring nations. While signing a peace agreement with China; he advocated adherence to five guiding principles known as Panchsheel.
B. Policy of Non-alignment
1. Non-alignment is the most important feature of India’s foreign policy. Its core element is to maintain independence in foreign affairs by not joining any military alliance formed by the USA and the Soviet Union, which emerged as an important aspect of Cold War politics after the Second World War.
C. The policy of Anti – Colonialism, Racism and Imperialism
The foundations of India’s foreign policy were laid during independence struggle when our leaders fought the evils of colonialism and racism. India has been a victim of colonialism and imperialism and considers these as a threat to international peace and security. It firmly believes in the equality of all human beings. Its policy is aimed at opposition to all forms of racial discrimination. It is always opposed to it in any form.
D. Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes
1. The unflinching faith in the peaceful settlement of international disputes is one of the core elements of India’s foreign policy. This principle has been included in the Constitution of India, under the Directive Principles of State Policy as well as in the Charter of the UN.
E. Foreign Economic Aid – Support to UN, International Law and a Just and Equal World Order
India has a deep respect for the international law and/or the principles of sovereign equality of nations and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations as espoused by the UN.