Page 121 - SST Class 08

AN INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY INDIA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER

Ever since achieving independence, India has NEIGHBORS!
sought to develop an independent foreign policy. India has a long land frontier and coastline. It
The start was made by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru shares boundaries with Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan,
when the defined non-alignment, disarmament China, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma) and Sri
and peaceful co-existence as the guiding princi- Lanka.
ples of India’s foreign policy. India has adopted a foreign policy of neutrality
Non-Alignment and non-involvement.
After the Second World War, there were two India and China
major superpowers in the world—USA and When the Communists came to power in China,
former USSR. Rivalry between these powers India had welcomed the change and was one of
resulted in the formation of two hostile military the first countries to recognise her. She also
blocs. Consequently, an atmosphere of tension, advocated China’s admission to the UN.
distrust and fear developed. It was known as the In 1954, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
‘Cold War.’ As many former imperialist colonies
and the Chinese Prime Minister, Chou-En-Lai,
were attaining independence at this time, both
had signed the “Panchsheel” agreement.
powers tried to draw these newly independent
They adopted five principles:
countries into their respective blocs.
1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial
India did not wish to ally itself with either
integrity and sovereignty.
because it was aware of the high price
of military involvement. It tried to
initiate a movement for world peace.
Our leaders felt that peace did not mean AFGHANISTAN
healthy cooperation among nations for
the benefit of all. This policy came to be PAKISTAN CHINA
defined as the policy of non-alignment. TIBET
It meant an independent approach NEPAL
BHUTAN
towards world issues, without being
influenced by either bloc. Non- BANGLADESH
alignment does not mean remaining
I N D I A
neutral or not getting involved in foreign
MYANMAR
affairs. It means remaining neutral or BAY (BURMA)
OF
not getting involved in foreign affairs. It ARABIAN BENGAL
means remaining independent of SEA
military and political groups while taking
an active part in promoting world peace
and understanding amongst nations. It LAKSHADWEEP SEA
also means taking an independent stand (INDIA) LAKSHADWEEP INDIA ANDAMAN AND NICORBAR ISLANDS
on international issues.
SRI
LANKA
MALDIVES
I N D I A O C E A N

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