India External Relations
Class 12 Political Science

1. What are the three major objectives of Nehru foreign policy?

Ans:- The three major objectives of Nehru foreign policy-

(i) To preserve the hard – earned sovereignty.

(ii) Protect territorial integrity.

(iii) promote rapid economic through the strategy of non-alignment.

2. Write a short note on peace with China.

Ans:- After the Chinese revolution in 1949, India was one of the first countries to recognize the communist government. Nehru felt strongly for this neighbor that was coming out of the shadow of western domination and helped the new government in International fora.

The joint enunciation of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful co-existence by the Indian Prime Minister Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 29 April 1954 was a step in the direction of stronger relationship between the two countries.

3. What are two objectives of India during cold war?

Ans:- (i) Distance from two camps – India did not join either of the two camps during the cold war era. India wanted to keep away from the military alliances led by US and Soviet Union against each other. India advocated non-alignment as the ideal foreign policy approach. This was a difficult balancing act and sometimes the balance did not appear perfect. In 1965 when Britain attacked Egypt over the Suez canal issue. India led the world protest against this neo-colonial invasion. But in the same year when the USSR invaded  Hungary, India did not join its public condemnation.

Pakistan joined the US-led military alliances. The US was not happy about India’s independent initiatives and the policy of non-alignment.

(ii) Afro-Asian Unity:- Nehru envisaged a major role for India affairs. His era was marked by the establishment of contacts between India and other newly Independent states in Asia and Africa.

Under his leadership, India convened the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947, five months ahead of attaining its indendence.

The Afro-Asian conference held in the Indonesian city of  Bundung in 1955 commonly known as the Bundung Conference, marked the zenith of India’s engagement with newly Independent Asian and African nations. The Bundung conference later led to the establishment of the NAM. The first Summit of the NAM was held in Belgrade in September 1961.

Dr. Ratanlal Brahma, M.A., B.Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Post Graduate Teacher (Political Science)
H.N.Seminary Model HS School, Bagribari, Dhubri, Assam
Email : brahmaratan@gmail.com
Whatsapp no. : 7020477396