Being a nation that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, India chose to shape its foreign relations with a focus on upholding sovereignty of other nations and seeking security through preservation of peace. This objective is reflected in Directive Principles of State Policy. The British government left behind a legacy of various international disputes, and partition added its own set of challenges, while the imperative of addressing poverty was already pressing.

Policy of Non-Alignment

Global Confrontation: The Cold War period was marked by the political, economic, and military confrontation at the global level between the two blocs led by the superpowers, the US and the USSR.

• Global Developments: The same period also witnessed developments like the establishment of the UN, the creation of nuclear weapons, the emergence of Communist China, and the beginning of decolonization.

Jawahar Lal Nehru’s Role

The first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru played a crucial role in setting the national agenda. He exercised profound influence in formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy from 1946 to 1964.

• The three major objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy were:
  • To preserve the hard-earned sovereignty, 
  • To protect territorial integrity, and 
  • To promote rapid economic development. 
• Approach: Nehru wished to achieve these objectives through a strategy of non-alignment.

Non-Alignment: Distance from the Two Camps

• India’s Commitment to Non-Alignment and Global Peace: Foreign policy of independent India vigorously pursued a dream of a peaceful world by advocating a policy of non-alignment, reducing Cold War tensions, and contributing human resources to UN peacekeeping operations.
• Suez Canal Invasion: In 1956 when Britain attacked Egypt over the Suez Canal issue, India led the world protest against this neo-colonial invasion.
• US-Pakistan Military Alliances: Pakistan joined US-led military alliances. The US was not happy about India’s independent initiatives and policy of non-alignment.
  • The US also resented India’s growing partnership with the Soviet Union.
• Afro-Asian Unity: Nehru’s era was marked by establishment of contacts between India and other newly independent states in Asia and Africa.
• Under Nehru’s leadership, India convened the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947, five months ahead of attaining its independence.
• Bandung Conference: The Afro-Asian Conference held in the Indonesian city of Bandung in 1955, commonly known as Bandung Conference, marked the zenith of India’s engagement with the newly independent Asian and African nations. 
• • The Bandung Conference later led to the establishment of NAM.
• First Summit of NAM was held in Belgrade in September 1961. Nehru was a co-founder of NAM.

Peace and Conflict with China

Unlike its relationship with Pakistan, free India began its relationship with China on a very friendly note. (Refer Figure 4.1) 

• Post-Chinese Revolution in 1949, India was one of the first countries to recognize communist government.
• Concern Over Chinese Future Aggression: Some of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s colleagues, like Vallabhbhai Patel, were worried about possible Chinese aggression in the future.
  • But Nehru thought it was ‘exceedingly unlikely’ that India would face an attack from China.
• Panchsheel: The joint enunciation of Panchsheel, Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, by Indian Prime Minister Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 29 April 1954 was a step in the direction of a stronger relationship between two countries.

Tibet Issue: 

• Historical Tension: Plateau of central Asian region called Tibet is one of major issues that historically caused tension between India and China. In 1950, China took over control of Tibet.
• When the Panchsheel Agreement was signed between India and China in 1954, India conceded China’s claim over Tibet.

Conclusion

India, emerging post-WWII, aimed to uphold sovereignty and peace in its foreign relations, influenced by Nehru’s non-alignment policy. Facing Cold War pressures, India resisted aligning with superpowers, fostering Afro-Asian unity and supporting UN peacekeeping. Nehru’s initiatives like Panchsheel aimed at friendly ties with China, though concerns over future aggression remained. India’s stance reflected its commitment to global peace and development.

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