How does political leadership of a nation affect its foreign policy? Explain this with the help of examples from India’s foreign policy.
Foreign policy bears resemblance with the views of political elites of a country. Initially, Pt. Nehru’s personality had a significant influence on the formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy. He wanted to project himself as a champion of world peace so he gave an ideal content to the country’s foreign policy.
a. It is in this context that Nehru always desired peace not merely as an ideal but also as an essential condition for its own security. According to Pt. Nehru, peace for India was not ‘Specific Neutralism’ but an active positive approach towards international relations and problems, leading to the easing of tensions by means of resolving disputes.
b. Being the chief architect of India’s foreign policy, Pt Nehru’s ideology guided India’s foreign policy principles. We may give an example of how Pt. Nehru aptly remarked that anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism are the kernels of India’s foreign policy and, accordingly, conducted external relations. For instance, India openly supported the anti-colonial movement in many parts of Asia and Africa. India also raised its voice against Pakistan when latter was trying to crush the people of Bangladesh in 1971.
c. This is one of the main characteristics of India’s foreign policy. NAM was a reaction to the cold war politics, whereby newly independent countries decided not to align themselves with either of the blocs and not become part of their arms race. They instead decided to help in reducing the tensed atmosphere.
d. The Panchsheel agreement signed with China in 1954 has been reiterated time and again. It also regulates India’s relations with other countries.
e. It was after the Chinese aggression in 1962 that the foreign policy of India was given a pragmatic approach as a result of which, it could fight thee war with Pakistan. Apart from Nehru, India’s foreign policy has also been influenced by Sardar Patel, Gandhi, Krishna Menon and Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
a. It is in this context that Nehru always desired peace not merely as an ideal but also as an essential condition for its own security. According to Pt. Nehru, peace for India was not ‘Specific Neutralism’ but an active positive approach towards international relations and problems, leading to the easing of tensions by means of resolving disputes.
b. Being the chief architect of India’s foreign policy, Pt Nehru’s ideology guided India’s foreign policy principles. We may give an example of how Pt. Nehru aptly remarked that anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism are the kernels of India’s foreign policy and, accordingly, conducted external relations. For instance, India openly supported the anti-colonial movement in many parts of Asia and Africa. India also raised its voice against Pakistan when latter was trying to crush the people of Bangladesh in 1971.
c. This is one of the main characteristics of India’s foreign policy. NAM was a reaction to the cold war politics, whereby newly independent countries decided not to align themselves with either of the blocs and not become part of their arms race. They instead decided to help in reducing the tensed atmosphere.
d. The Panchsheel agreement signed with China in 1954 has been reiterated time and again. It also regulates India’s relations with other countries.
e. It was after the Chinese aggression in 1962 that the foreign policy of India was given a pragmatic approach as a result of which, it could fight thee war with Pakistan. Apart from Nehru, India’s foreign policy has also been influenced by Sardar Patel, Gandhi, Krishna Menon and Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
