Ch 04 - India’s External Relations12th Politics in India since Independence
Constitutional Basis of Foreign Policy
Which specific Article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to promote international peace and security?
Which specific Article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to promote international peace and security?
Article 51 (Directive Principles of State Policy)
The State shall endeavour to:
- Promote international peace and security.
- Maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
- Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another.
- Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
Prism Memory Hook
Article 51 gives 5 Principles of 1nternational Peace.
Nehru's Objectives for External Relations
What were the three primary objectives of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy?
What were the three primary objectives of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy?
Nehru's Core Objectives
- To rigorously preserve the hard-earned sovereignty of the newly independent nation.
- To protect India's territorial integrity in a volatile neighborhood.
- To promote rapid economic development.
- The Strategy: Nehru believed these objectives could best be achieved through the foundational policy of Non-Alignment.
Prism Memory Hook
STEP towards Non-Alignment: Sovereignty, Territory, Economic Progress.
Defining Non-Alignment
Did the policy of 'Non-Alignment' mean remaining strictly neutral or isolating India from world affairs?
Did the policy of 'Non-Alignment' mean remaining strictly neutral or isolating India from world affairs?
The True Meaning of Non-Alignment
- Not Isolationism: India did not withdraw from world affairs. Instead, it actively participated to shape global outcomes.
- Not Neutrality: Neutrality implies staying out of wars and taking no moral stance. India actually intervened to mediate and reduce tensions (e.g., during the Korean War).
- Core Definition: It strictly meant not joining either of the two Cold War military alliances (USA or USSR). This allowed India to retain the sovereign independence to take decisions based purely on its own national interest.
Prism Memory Hook
Not Neutral, Not Passive, Just Independent.
Also in this chapter
38 more cards to study in Prism
- 4Domestic Opposition to Non-Alignment
- 5Asian Relations Conference (1947)
- 6The Bandung Conference (1955)
- 7The Tibet Issue
- 8The Founding Fathers of NAM
- 9Indo-China Border Dispute Areas
- 10The Panchsheel Agreement (1954)
- 11Dr. Ambedkar's Critique of Panchsheel
- 12Domestic Political Consequences of 1962
- 13The Illusion of Peace (Pre-1962)
- 14The 1962 Sino-Indian War
- 15Visual Analysis: 'Hindi Chini Bye Bye'
- 16Cinematic Reflection: 'Haqeeqat' (1964)
- 17The US-Pakistan-China Axis (1971)
- 18Shimla Agreement (1972)
- 19Post-1962 Defense Reorganisation
- 20Kargil Conflict (1999)
- 21The Economic Impact of the 1960s Wars
- 22The Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
- 23India's Stance on NPT
- 24The Strategic Course of the 1965 War
- 25The Tashkent Agreement (1966)
- 26The Roots of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
- 27The 1971 Refugee Crisis
- 28Dalai Lama's Asylum (1959)
- 29NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency)
- 30Homi J. Bhabha and India's Nuclear Origins
- 31Pokhran-I: India's First Nuclear Test (1974)
- 32India's Modern Nuclear Doctrine
- 33'Genuine' Non-Alignment (1977)
- 34Kissinger's Secret Visit (1971)
- 35India-Israel Diplomatic Relations (1992)
- 36CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty)
- 37The 1973 Oil Shock
- 38The Asian Tigers
- 39Resignation of V.K. Krishna Menon
- 40Strategic Shift: Shimla Agreement
- 41Operation Vijay
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