Principles of India's Foreign Policy

Every Sovereign Country like India has its foreign policy. While keeping in view the fundamental objectives of India’s foreign policy, India has adopted and pursued certain principles to realize these objectives. The principles of India’s foreign policy and its objectives are closely interlinked with each other. In this article, you can read about the main principles of the foreign policy of India, which is a very relevant topic for the UPSC international relations segment.

What are Foreign Policies?

Foreign Policies are a set of plan of action for diplomatic dealings with Internation nations and bodies and regional grouping. Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam.

The Constitutional Principles

The constitution of India lays down certain principles in Article 51 under the Directive Principles of State Policy. These principles focus on the promotion of international peace and security-

As per the principles laid down in Article 51, the state shall endeavour to-

1. Promote international peace and security.
2. Maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
3. Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized people with one another
4. Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration

Basic Principles Governing India’s Foreign Policy

1. Panchsheel
2. The policy of Non-Alignment
3. The policy of Anti- Colonialism and Anti Racism
4. Peaceful settlement of International Disputes
5. Foreign Economic Aid – Support to UN, International Law and a Just and Equal World Order

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.
2. Non-alignment was neither neutrality nor non-involvement nor isolationism. It was a positive and dynamic concept. It postulates taking an independent stand on international issues according to the merits of each case but at the same time not committing to coming under the influence of any military bloc. Furthermore, Non-Alignment gained popularity in developing countries. Thus, keeping away from the military alliances and superpower blocks was important for the independence of Foreign Policy.
3. India played a lead role in popularizing and consolidating the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). India, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, convened the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in 1947 to forge the idea of Asian solidarity. Read more on the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) on the given link.
4. Another Asian Relations Conference was convened by India in 1949 on the question of the independence of Indonesia as India stood firm-against the colonial rule in other countries.
   • A larger Conference, known as the Bandung Conference of 29 countries of Asia and Africa was convened in Bandung (Indonesia) in 1955 to forge the Afro-Asian unit. The Bandung Conference was a precursor to the NAM, which held its first Summit in 1961 at Belgrade. Since then, the Non-Aligned Movement has not looked back.
   • The Seventh NAM Summit was hosted by India in New Delhi in 1983. In this Summit, India took up the cause of development, disarmament, and the Palestine issue.
   • The conference laid down ten fundamental principles of international relations. The leaders pledged to work together for colonial liberation, peace, cultural, economic, and political cooperation among developing countries.
   • It provides all its members, regardless of their size and development, an opportunity to participate in the global decision-making process.

1. India was the first to bring the issue of Apartheid in the UN in 1946. India raised her voice for the independence of Indonesia and organized the Asian Relations Conference for this purpose.
2. Due to India’s consistent efforts through NAM and other international forums, 14 African countries were liberated from the yoke of colonialism in 1964.
3. India firmly opposed the infamous apartheid policy in South Africa. Not only India had cut off diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1949 but also used her influence in the application of comprehensive sanctions (later) against the white minority racist Regime of South Africa.
4. At India’s initiative, NAM set up the Africa Fund (Action for Resisting Imperialism, Colonialism, and Apartheid) in 1986 to help the frontline states, which were victims of aggression of South Africa and for facing the brunt of Apartheid. India made a generous contribution to this fund. The end of racialism in South Africa was a great success for Indian policy.

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.
2. India has played a leading role in the resolution of the Korean conflict and supported negotiated settlement of Palestine issue, border problems with neighboring countries, and other such disputes and problems.
3. India is always against foreign military intervention for resolving international problems. This principle continues to be the cornerstone of India’s policy.
4. At present, India is in favour of the resolution of peaceful settlement of Iranian nuclear issues, the problem of the democratic upsurge in the Middle East, and so on.

1. India has played a key role in preserving world peace by helping in the decolonization process, and through active participation in UN peacekeeping activities.
2. India has supported the cause of disarmament pursued by the UN. In 1988, India proposed a very ambitious program of nuclear disarmament before the UN. Although the proposal was not accepted by the other members of the UN but India stands committed to the cause of universal disarmament even today.
3. In order to make the composition of the Security Council more realistic and democratic, India has proposed and supported the reform of the Security Council and other UN agencies. India is one of the claimants of permanent membership of the Security Council.