All questions of Foreign Policy of India for UPSC CSE Exam

India played a significant role in resolving the conflict in Congo by leading the international peacekeeping force. Indian armed forces successfully brought the civil war to a close and restored the government's authority over Congo. This was a major achievement for India's foreign policy of non-alignment and commitment to peace.

The primary reason for strained relations between India and the United States during the Cold War was India's refusal to support Pakistan's inclusion in CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) and SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization). India saw these alliances as bringing the Cold War to the Indian subcontinent.

Operation Smiling Buddha
Operation Smiling Buddha was the codename for India's first nuclear test conducted on May 18, 1974, in Pokhran, Rajasthan. This historical event marked India's entry into the nuclear club as the sixth country in the world to successfully conduct a nuclear test.

Significance of the Test
1. Strategic Deterrence: The test was seen as a demonstration of India's ability to deter potential adversaries and protect its national security interests.
2. Technological Achievement: The successful test showcased India's indigenous nuclear capabilities and technological advancements in the field of nuclear weapons.
3. Political Statement: The test sent a strong political message to the international community, asserting India's sovereignty and independent foreign policy.
4. Global Response: The test received mixed reactions from the international community, with some countries condemning it as a violation of non-proliferation norms while others acknowledging India's right to ensure its security.

Impact on India's Nuclear Policy
1. Shift in Policy: The test solidified India's stance on nuclear weapons, leading to the formulation of a nuclear doctrine based on credible minimum deterrence.
2. Role in Nuclear Disarmament: India's nuclear test raised concerns about nuclear proliferation and the need for global disarmament, prompting India to advocate for nuclear disarmament on the international stage.
3. Enhanced Security: The test bolstered India's national security and strategic posture, serving as a deterrent against potential threats.
In conclusion, Operation Smiling Buddha was a landmark event in India's history, shaping its nuclear policy and asserting its position in the global nuclear landscape.

India and China signed the Panchsheel Treaty in 1954, in which India recognized China's rights over Tibet. This treaty aimed to govern relations between the two countries and promote peaceful coexistence.

The deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka in 1987 was a response to the civil war between the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and Sri Lankan forces. India intervened to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict and protect the rights of Tamil civilians.

India became involved in the Sri Lanka crisis in the 1980s due to a civil war between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. The conflict escalated, leading to the intervention of the Indian government to support Tamil groups and seek a peaceful resolution.

The International Control Commission was responsible for supervising the imports of foreign armaments into Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam during the Indo-Chinese conflict. India played a role as the Chairman of this commission.

In the 1962 Indo-China war, China captured territory in NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh), and India faced a significant defeat in that conflict.

The primary goal of the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord signed in 1987 was to promote devolution of power to Sri Lankan provinces, including a merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces into a single province, and to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sri Lanka.

The principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as outlined in the Havana Declaration of 1979 included respect for international law, peaceful settlement of conflicts, and non-interference. NAM aimed to promote peace, sovereignty, and independence among its member countries.

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union provided significant support to India, including military aid during conflicts. The Soviet Union backed India's position on Kashmir and played a crucial role in supporting India's foreign policy objectives.

Pakistan's primary reason for launching armed attacks in the Rann of Kutch area of Gujarat in 1965 was to establish a military presence in the region, rather than any immediate territorial gains. This conflict was one of the early signs of tension between India and Pakistan during that period.

Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri popularized the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This slogan emphasized the role of both soldiers (Jawan) and farmers (Kisan) in serving the nation, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency in food production during the war.

Nehru's five principles of peaceful coexistence, also known as Panchsheel, included mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, and peaceful coexistence. These principles formed the basis of India's foreign policy during his time.

One of India's main concerns during the Korean War was to prevent North Korea from being labeled as the initial aggressor. India supported the United States in the UN Security Council but was focused on preventing the entry of outside powers into the conflict.

India's foreign policy under Nehru aimed to safeguard national interests and promote peace. It sought to defend and strengthen India's independence, develop self-reliance and self-confidence, serve the cause of world peace, and promote anti-colonialism. It did not aim for territorial expansion or colonization, and it pursued a policy of non-alignment to avoid military alliances with major powers.

India's nuclear tests in 1998 led to global sanctions against India. The international community imposed sanctions due to concerns about nuclear proliferation in the region.

India recognized the Suez Canal as an integral part of Egypt and condemned the attack on Egypt by France and Britain. India's stance was in support of Egypt's sovereignty over the Suez Canal.

The main reason for the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was to resist joining military blocs, such as those led by the Western powers and the Soviet Union, and to retain independence and sovereignty. NAM aimed to promote a policy of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. These tests demonstrated India's nuclear capabilities.