India’s Foreign Policy

Jawaharlal Nehru played a great role in building up the foreign policy of India. The colonial countries in Asia and Africa had looked towards India in their struggle against foreign domination and even after independece they followed the Indian way in their international relations.
Basic Principles of India’s foreign policy : The ideals and principles of our foreign policy are [1]non-alignment, [2]opposition to colonialism and racialism and support of liberation struggle and freedom movement, [3]promotion of world Peace, [4]maintenance of friendly relations with all-particularly neighbours, [5]non-interference in the internal affairs of another country, [6]mutual co-operation and [7]peaceful co-existence.
India’s policy of non-alignment:Non-alignment is the major factor of India’s foreign policy. Non-alignment is an assertion of freedom of judgement and action. It enables to judge each issue on its own merits. The essence of non-alignment is the ability to exercise a reasonable degree of independence of policy and action in world affairs.It is a policy of keeping aloof from power rivalry and military engagements. It implies a policy of peace based on the conviction that war can be and should be avoided. Lastly non-alignment is based on Panch-sheel-the five principles of international conduct namely [1]respect for each others territorial sovereignity, [2]non-interference,[3]non-aggression, [4]peaceful co-existence and [5]equality and mutual benefit.The non-alignment in no sense is negative or static. It is positive, dynamic and constructive.
Bandung Conference: The conference in Bandung in Indonesia in 1955 brought for the first time the Afro-Asian countries to a common platform.The Bandung conference had twin objectives. Firstly, to discuss and solve the problem of social discrimination, colonialism and national sovereignty, secondly to access the influence of Afro-Asian nations in world politics and to ensure their contribution to the world peace.
Non-Aligned Movement[NAM]: The non-aligned movement was largely a product of India’s efforts. This effort was aimed at organizing a collective answer to bloc politics of the great powers in international affairs. It also aimed to develop friendly relations among countries who were trying to free themselves from colonial exploitation. The NAM took a concete shape with the holding of its conference in 1961 in Belgrade. The five pioneering leaders of the NAM were President Tito of Yugoslavia, Presisent Nassar of Egypt, President Nkrumah of Ghana, President Sukarno of Indonesia Prime Minister Nehru of India.
South Asian Association for regional Co-operation [SAARC]: The SAARC was formed in 1985 to promote common, political, economic, social and cultural interests and co-operation among its members. It comprises seven countries-India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Srilanka and Maldives.