Nehru – the architect and spokesman of India’s foreign policy
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the chief architect of India’s
foreign policy and its chief spokesman for a pretty long and fruitful period of
eighteen years (1946-1964). His foreign policy merely reflected the conscious or
unconscious wishes and aspirations of millions of Indians on India’s foreign
policy and relations.
Salient features of India’s foreign policy:
Policy of Non-alignment – Perhaps the most characteristic
feature of Nehru’s foreign policy was the vigorous pursuit of non-alignment. The
policy of Nonalignment does not mean isolationism, or neutrality, or neutralism,
or a policy of ‘sitting on the fence’. It is well known that India played a
very active and dynamic role int eh game of world politics.
The policy of nonalignment means an independent policy involving
no political or military commitments to another state or group of states, restricting
one’s independency of policy and action. Negatively speaking, it means the
rejection of political or military pacts or alliances. It calls for taking
decisions on international problems, as and when they come up, on the basis of the
merits of each case.
Jawaharlal rightly decided, at that time, that it was not
desirable to join one bloc against the other. India had just become free and she
had too many problems to tackle. It was therefore in India’s interest to
reaming aloof from both these power blocs.
Policy of peaceful coexistence – Another fundamental
characteristic feature of Nehru’s foreign policy was peaceful co-existence,
which demands tolerance of different points of view and attitudes, and
moderation. It means ‘live and let others live’.
Policy of Anti-imperialism and anti-Colonialism – The third
distinguishing feature of Nehru’s foreign policy was his strong opposition to
imperialism and colonialism in any shape. The reason is obvious, India herself
was a victim of imperialism and colonialism and no wonder when she won her
independence, she adopted the policy of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism.
Policy of Anti-Racial Discrimination – Finally Nehru’s
foreign policy was also characterized by anti-racial discrimination. This is
exactly the reason why India has condemned most vehemently the policy of apartheid,
followed by the Union of South Africa.
Goals of India’s Foreign Policy:
Maintenance of International Peace and Security – The primary
goal of India’s foreign policy under Nehru was maintenance of international peace
and security. Move over, the alternative to international peace was
international nuclear war, which would have destroyed a major part of humanity
in the atomic age.
Promotion of self-determination – The second major goal of
India’s foreign policy was the promotion of self determination for all colonial
peoples. This was essential as all peoples, irrespective of race, religion and
state of economic development or even civilization had a fundamental right to
freedom. Moreover, suppression of freedom posed a threat to international peace.
Peaceful settlement of disputes – The third major goal of
India’s foreign policy under Nehru, was peaceful settlement of international disputes.
Securing voice and influence of independent Asian-African
countries in World Councils – another major goal of India’s foreign policy
under Nehru was to secure for the newly independent Asian-African countries the
voice and influence in the councils of the world.
India – a Staunch supporter of world organizations –
Finally India became a staunch supporter of international organizations, especially
of the United Nations, in order to achieve the above goals and also in the
broader and long-term interests of international society.
Assessment of India’s Foreign Policy under Nehru:
Unpredictable role of India in International affairs – In
1947, when India won independence no one in the whole world could predict the
extent of the role which she would play int international affairs. Everyone knew
well the limitations of India in playing any significant role in international
affairs.
During the period 1947-1964, India developed cordial and closer
relations with almost every country in the world, with the possible exception
of Latin American countries.
India and the Commonwealth – India’s entry into the
commonwealth, paved the way for the entry of the other Asian and African
countries of the Commonwealth. As a member of the Commonwealth, India played a
pivotal role in the maintenance of world peace. E.g., Canada has extended
technical and economic assistance to India. The Bhabha Atomic Reactor at
Trombay is the symbol of Indo-Canadian cooperation and friendship. India has
also extended technical and economic assistance to the African member of the
Commonwealth.
India and the two superpowers – In the beginning of the 1950’s,
India had an uneasy relationship with the two superpowers namely USA and USSR
because of the cold war and India’s policy of non-alignment which was reviewed
with suspicion by both the superpowers.
India and USA – The formation of NATO (North Atlantic
Treaty Organization), SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organization), and the
CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) to contain communism under the leadership
of USA was not favored by India. Hence, the USA always favored and fully
supported SEATO and CENTO ally, Pakistan against India. Moreover, when for the
liberation of Goa in December 1961, USA condemned it openly in the UN. However,
India in October 1962, Washington immediately responded to Nehru’s worldwide
appeal for military assistance mainly because USA Chinese relations in those
days were embittered. On the economic front, the US had contributed about 60%
of the total foreign aid to India between 1951 and 1964 for industrial and
technological growth in India.
India and USSR – During Stalin’s rule, the Indo-USSR
relations were not cordial. Mahatma Gandhi was regarded as a ‘reactionary’ and
Nehru’s nonalignment was condemned. However, after the death of Joseph Stalin
on 6th March 1953, the Soviet attitude towards India remarkably
changed.
On the economic front, the Soviet Union has come out with
massive assistance to India. She built the Bhilai Steel plant, and this made
West Germany come forward to build one at Rourkela and the British at Durgapur.
She also built three hydro electric stations, the heavy machine building complex
at Ranchi and two oil refineries – all this contributed to the industrialization
of India.
India and Afro Asian countries – The struggle against
colonialism and racialism, unquantified support for national liberation movements
in Asia and Africa and Asian-African solidarity constituted the integral
aspects of India’s foreign policy.
India championed the cause of the Africans in their
anticolonial struggle, particularly the peoples of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. India’s fight against apartheid is well
known.
India – A Center for Friendship and Peace in the World –
The development of India’s foreign relations both in scope as well as in depth
by the end of the 1950s was simply remarkable. In recognition to this pivotal
role of India in international affairs, many governmental and non governmental
leaders suggested that India should be accorded great power status and a
permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Thus, the foreign policy of India under Nehru evolved even more
in moral and ethical terms than in terms of India’s own national interests.
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