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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru – the Prime Minister of India, Marshall Tito – the President of Yugoslavia, Nasser – the President of Egypt and Sukarno – the President of Indonesia, played an important role in giving Non-Aligned a form of movement.

Fulfillment of national interest.

Article 51 Article of Constitution main elements of the India’s foreign policy are included.

India is an initial member of UNO, which favours its policies and functions. UNO is an international organization with the objective to create peace in the world. It works in different parts of the world. India has always followed the orders and laws of UNO. India has immediately followed the decision given by the UNO. It proves the faith and commitment towards it. India has increased its glory by working different posts of UNO.

Geographical elements have their own importance in deciding the foreign policy of India. Regional security is the most prior target of any nation. On one hand, India is near to the powers of East Russia and Communist China, and on the other hand its South-East and South-West part is surrounded by the oceans. Hence, India’s security is dependent basically on self-defence, peace and friendship.

Violence against government and making innocent people frightened is called terrorism. South Asian nations including India are facing this problem and also America is not even an exception. It is a great challenge for India. At present in India about 31 main terrorist organizations are active. Out of them, a few have their centres in Pak-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan beside in other places of Asia and world, they also have their centres.

These terrorists are responsible for violent events in Jammu and Kashmir. In December 2001, Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Toyba attacked the Indian Parliament. This kind of terrorism as guerilla war planned by foreign terrorist organizations, is a big problem for India. Terrorism shows a poisonous character of mentally sick nations. Some nations of the world are giving shelter and support to terrorist organizations for their personal interest. These organizations have latest modern weapons, explosives, finance and other resource in ample quantity. Though this matter is discussed in conferences and seminars, but the problem is still as it was. It is hoped that the future would be free from terrorism and money spent on it would be utilized in human development.

Co-existence is the widened form of Panchsheel. India has given a message through its foreign policy to those countries which have opposite thinking for each other to live in a friendly manner. India itself has done more and more friendly and trade agreements. This policy is based on creative development. India believes in peace, and for this it does not favour wars and armament. So many times India has participated as a mediator to remove the possibilities of war. For the development of developing and backward countries peaceful environment is essential. At present, many nations have nuclear power which is a threat to the peace of the world. Actually, peaceful co-existence gives a platform to make international relations strong and friendly.

Importance of Non Alignment:

Even after the end of Cold War and disintegration of Soviet Union, Non-alignment policy has its relevance in the content of organization of UNO a new international peace and economic order.

n 1961, stress was given upon peace and disarmament in Belgrade NAM Conference. 16th NAM Conference was held in August 2012 in Tehran, the capital of Iran. In this, 120 representatives of different countries took part, and the subjects were discussed i.e. nuclear disarmament, human rights and regional issues. New challenges and efforts to solve problems have highlighted the importance of Non-aligned group (organization). This movement has proved its importance by extending it in difficulties like New Imperialism, human rights, environment, economic and regional problems.

India decided not to align itself to any of the military alliances. It declared its foreign policy as a policy of Non-alignment. The principles of NAM were formulated. Non-alignment does not mean that India will remain neutral and not take any position on major world problems. It simply means that India will not join any of the military alliances.

The Indian national movement was a part of the worldwide struggle against colonialism and imperialism. It influenced the liberation movements of many Asian and African countries. Prior to India’s Independence, there were contacts between the nationalist leaders of India and those of other colonies, united as they were in their common struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

The creation of the Indian National Army (INA) by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during the Second World War was the clearest manifestation of the linkages established between India and overseas Indians during the freedom struggle. The foreign policy of a nation reflects the interplay of domestic and external factors. Therefore, the noble ideals that inspired India’s struggle for freedom influenced the making of its foreign policy. But India’s attainment of Independence coincided with the beginning of the Cold War era.

At the time of Independence in 1947, India had special conditions and challenges. 

Hence, in formulating the immediate foreign policy under given elements have great importance:

1. At the time of independence the whole world was divided into two opposite groups. So India decided to keep itself away from group politics. The all round development and economic development was the first priority of India. For this, it needed the co-operation of all nations of the world. It created the platform for a new concept of Non-Aligned movement. 

2. By strengthening arrangement, it was very important to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation. 

3. Geographical elements have their own importance in deciding the foreign policy of India. Regional security is the most prior target of any nation. On one side India is near to the powers of East, Russia and communist China, and on the other hand its South East and South West part is surrounded by the oceans. Hence, India’s self security is dependent basically on self-defence, peace and friendship.

4. There is a great impact of ancient culture of India on its foreign policy. Brotherhood, peace, humanism are our inspiring values right from past. Philosophy of leaders of Indian national movement (freedom movement) has also put a great impact on Indian foreign policy.

UNO is major international organisa¬tion. It was established on 24 October, 1945.

India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

(d) All the above.

India conducted its first nuclear test on 18 May 1974, and was committed to the policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes.

Correct Answer is: (a) China

(b) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

India’s former President Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Correct Answer is: (b) 2012

(c) Jimmy Carter

N on-Alignment

Five principles of peaceful co-existence are known as Panchsheel.

India’s Foreign Policy: Past to present: India has a long glorious tradition regarding foreign policy. In the past period Buddha, Mahavira, King Ashoka and later Vivekananda preached the way of humanity by following the path of best values of life. Still India has always tried to make friendship bridge with other nations. It has always put the thinking on its International issues clearly. It has always favoured the concept of freedom and self-decision of other nations. Beside it has favoured the international organization for co-existence and welfare. India has clearly presented its view in oppose of terrorism and cleared its objectives and ideals of foreign policy before independence.

World Trade Centre and Pentagon of America were the target of the terrorist attack on 11th Sept. 2001.

Indian foreign policy is based on principles of Panchsheel, which is derived from two words ‘Panch’ means Five and ‘Sheel’ means a ‘Code of Conduct’ for peaceful coexistence. It was signed on 29 April, 1954 between India and China.

Principles: 

1. Non-alignment (NAM) 

2. Mutual benefits and equality 

3. Mutual non-aggression 

4. Non-intervention in each other international affairs 

5. To maintain international peace and understanding 

6. Respect for national sovereignty

NAM is based on a resolve to democratise international system to redress existing inequalities that poor and veiy small countries need not follow any of the big powers. Instead they can pursue an independent foreign policy also. It means not to join either of the military alliances which had emerged in the world after the Second World War. NAM served India’s interests also to participate in international decisions and maintained balance between two superpower – USA and USSR. Under this, India stayed away from alliances and its raised voice against newly decolonised countries becoming part of either the alliance.

United Nations Organization.

Fulfilment of nation’s interest has given priority which is an important objective of India’s foreign policy. India has always assimilated her own national interests with international interests. Human values and ideals are the base of our foreign policy from a long period. These bases have given her foreign policy in all periods. In Article 51 of Indian Constitution under Directive Principles of State Policy, main elements of foreign policy are included.

The main objectives of Indian foreign policy are: 

1. International peace and security. 

2. Justified and respectful relations towards all states. 

3. Faith in international laws and treaties. 

4. Settlement of international disputes by mediation. 

5. TO keep aloof from militaiy alliances and alignment (grouping). 

6. Opposition to colonialism, racialism and casteism. 

7. Opposing colour prejudice on policy of apartheid. To help countries struggling for their freedom. 

8. To make business, industries, investment and technology, active and smooth relation with all other nations

9. To co-operate and solve problems and challenges facing by the International community. 

10.To strengthen own condition on the basis of friendship and co-operation with SAARC (South Asian Nations).

South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation.

The basic pillars of India’s foreign policy are- 

(a) Peace 

(b) Friendship 

(c) Equality.