Q. Examine the main features of Foreign Policy of Jawaharlal Nehru. (60-62 BPSC/2019)

Nehru  is called the architect of India’s foreign policy. Evolution of his foreign policy started even before Independence when he headed the foreign department of Indian National Congress formed in 1928. It was mainly due to Nehru’s efforts that since the mid-twenties the Congress party began to take interest in international affairs. He kept a watchful eyes and actively participated in the international events. e.g. Participated in international congress against imperialism and colonial oppression, Brussels (1927), supported liberation movements worldwide, appreciation for soviet experiments etc.  The experiences he got during this period shaped his world views.

After independence, he retained the foreign ministry with himself and shaped by foreign policy for India and build a basic foundation of over which the foreign policy was to be built upon after him. His Policy was necessarily conditioned by India’s needs, derives also from a long history and thus fits into the framework of India’s thought and tradition.

The main features of his foreign policy:

• Followed principle of non-alignment i.e. not aligning to any other the groups during cold war.
  • It was a vision of independence, i.e., to act in independent manner, to pursue independent policies and to maintain independent status. Thus it represented national interests.
  • It was not isolation and nor neutrality rather, it was an active response to prevailing international relations and affairs.
  • It also represented a new alternative in international relation, i.e., that of international peace and international co-operation.
  • It was more pragmatic approach rather than an ideological approach. A/c to Nehru, Non-alignment represented shared interest of newly emerged nations.
  • This vision was shaped by long-term colonial domination and cold war situation.
  • He was among the pioneer of the non-alignment movement (NAM). The NAM took a concrete shape with the holding of the first conference in 1961 in Belgrade.
• Panchsheel for peaceful co-existence. 
  • The policy of Non-alignment was based on the five principles of Panchsheela, enumerating international conduct. These were first envisaged and formulated in 1954.
  • These principles were:
    • Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
    • Non-aggression
    • Non interference in each other’s military affairs
    • Equality and mutual benefit
    • Peaceful coexistence
  • By April 1955, Burma, China, Laos, Nepal, Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Yugoslavia and Cambodia had accepted the Panch Shila.
• Raising voice against imperialism and colonialism.
  • Many conferences were organised to voice for liberation of nations:
    • Asian relations Conference 1947, New Delhi and Asian National Conference 1949, New Delhi.
    • Asian National Conference- 1954 Colombo.
    • Afro-Asian Conference- Bandung-Indonesia 1955.
    • 1st Summit of NAM at Belgrade in 1961.
  • Similarly, India supported the issue of independence movements in South East Asia and all over the world.
  • He also criticized the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 and demanded it’s withdrawal.
  • Voiced against Korean war.
• Pursued a policy of friendship with every country, whether of the American bloc (capitalist,system) or of the Soviet bloc (communist system).
  • Its declared policy is not have preference for the one against the other.
  • India has adopted a democratic system of government. This, however,has not drawn India closer to those countries of the west, who have a similar system nor has this distanced it from the communist countries.
• India supported struggle for human rights and voiced against the policy of anti-apartheid and anti-racism.
  • Gandhi had fought against apartheid in South Africa, during the turn of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century.
  • India had raised this issue for the first time in the United Nations in 1946.
• Recognized the useful role of the international organizations like UNO and Commonwealth of nations as he always believed in peaceful alliances and solution of international affairs based on discussions.
  • Committment to UN:
    • volunteering peace keeping force and subscription to UN principles. e.g. during Korean war.
    • Kashmir issue taken to UN.
  • India decided to stay in the commonwealth. 
    • Under the London Declaration (1948), India agreed that, when it became a republic in January 1950, it would join the Commonwealth of Nations. 
    • This decision was also in consonance with Gandhi’s insistence that the quarrel of Indians was with English rule and not Englishmen and that “enmity against Englishmen or Europeans must be wholly forgotten”.
• Relation with super-powers:
  • He tried to maintained friendly relation with both USA and USSR but without aligning with them ideologically.
  • India benefited by getting help from both side. e.g.
    • U.S. funded in community development program, provided food support.
    • USSR also provided food aid to India, supported on Kashmir issue, supported construction of heavy industries e.g. in Bhilai and Bokaro
• Relations with neighbours: He always strived to have friendly relations with the neighbours.
  • With Pakistan, the relation was always strained. 
    • Major factor behind the strained relation was: borders, distribution of river waters, the questions of kashmir etc.
    • In 1960 Indus water treaty was signed with Pakistan with good effort of the world bank. It is the most successful water treaty in the world.
    • Pakistan decision to join the military alliance also contributed to the strained relation.
  • India signed the treaty of friendship with both Nepal and Bhutan. Ans also assisted in their development.
  • With Sri-Lanka  the only irritant in the relation was the problem of people of Indian origin in sri-Lanka. Sood after independence Sri-Lanka disowned the people of Indian origin as a result of which large number of them rendered stateless. The India government permitted those Indian citizens to come to India if they want. Those who came India was given Indian citizenship.
  • The relation with Myanmar was also peaceful and issues related to border and Indian settlers were solved with discussion.
  • With China:
    • India always showed keenness to develop a friendly relation despite it’s military action in Tibet.
      • India supported the case of China’s entry into the United Nations.
      • In 1954, India concluded a treaty with China with regard to Tibet and recognised Tibet as region of China.
      • Both also showed determination to conduct their relation on the basis of Panch-Sheel.
      • China also supported India on the issue of Goa.
      • Food gains was also supplied by China to India.
    • But Later, the hostalities broke out due to border issues and war followed in 1962.
• Nehru as international Mediator:
  • During Korean war he mediated between both players. India also played helpful role in solving the problem of the repatriation of Koran Prisoners of war.
  • Again in 1954, Indian emissary played a role of mediator between Indonesia and France.
• Policy on Palestine and Israel:
  • India did not subscribe to the Partitioning of Palestine plan of 1947 and voted against Israel’s admission in the United Nations in 1949. India also did not recognize Israel as a nation till 1950.
  • Nehru and Gandhi, both were pro-Palestine. They opposed the creation of Israel as he was against the creation of countries based on religion.

Limitations of his foreign policy:

• Defeat in Sino-India war-1962 led to criticism of his earlier policies like supporting China for UNSC.
• Kashmir issue was also not lingered on. Many criticized his decision to take the matter to united nations.
• Overall relation with Pakistan didn’t improve.
• Following the non-alignment principle sometimes gone unfavorably for both side. e.g. During Korean war.

Overall Nehru’s Foreign policy was based on enlightened self-Interest. And despite some limitations he could formulated a foreign policy which helped India to maintain its independence and to be treated respectfully by alomost all the nations.