PPT: India's External Relations | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


India's external relations
Page 2


India's external relations
International Context
India's independence came amidst global upheaval. As a new nation, it faced 
complex international disputes and domestic challenges like poverty. Yet, 
India was determined to chart its own course, guided by principles of 
sovereignty and peace. This vision shaped its early foreign policy.
Page 3


India's external relations
International Context
India's independence came amidst global upheaval. As a new nation, it faced 
complex international disputes and domestic challenges like poverty. Yet, 
India was determined to chart its own course, guided by principles of 
sovereignty and peace. This vision shaped its early foreign policy.
Factors affecting India's Foreign Policy
Domestic and 
International Influences
Just as both internal and external 
factors guide the behaviour of an 
individual or a family, both domestic and 
international environment influence the 
foreign policy of a nation. The 
developing countries lack the required 
resources to effectively advocate their 
concerns in the international system. So 
they pursue more modest goals than the 
advanced states. They focus more on 
peace and development in their own 
neighbourhood.
Economic and Security 
Dependence
Moreover, their economic and security 
dependence on the more powerful 
states occasionally influences their 
foreign policy. In the period immediately 
after the second world war, many 
developing nations chose to support the 
foreign policy preferences of the 
powerful countries who were giving 
them aid or credits. This resulted in the 
division of countries of the world into 
two clear camps.
Cold War Context
One was under the influence of the 
United States and its western allies and 
the other was under the influence of the 
then Soviet Union. There was also the 
experiment called Non- Aligned 
Movement in which India had played an 
important role. However, the end of the 
Cold War changed the context of 
international relations entirely. But 
when India achieved its freedom and 
started framing its foreign policy, the 
Cold War was just beginning and the 
world was getting divided into these 
two camps.
Page 4


India's external relations
International Context
India's independence came amidst global upheaval. As a new nation, it faced 
complex international disputes and domestic challenges like poverty. Yet, 
India was determined to chart its own course, guided by principles of 
sovereignty and peace. This vision shaped its early foreign policy.
Factors affecting India's Foreign Policy
Domestic and 
International Influences
Just as both internal and external 
factors guide the behaviour of an 
individual or a family, both domestic and 
international environment influence the 
foreign policy of a nation. The 
developing countries lack the required 
resources to effectively advocate their 
concerns in the international system. So 
they pursue more modest goals than the 
advanced states. They focus more on 
peace and development in their own 
neighbourhood.
Economic and Security 
Dependence
Moreover, their economic and security 
dependence on the more powerful 
states occasionally influences their 
foreign policy. In the period immediately 
after the second world war, many 
developing nations chose to support the 
foreign policy preferences of the 
powerful countries who were giving 
them aid or credits. This resulted in the 
division of countries of the world into 
two clear camps.
Cold War Context
One was under the influence of the 
United States and its western allies and 
the other was under the influence of the 
then Soviet Union. There was also the 
experiment called Non- Aligned 
Movement in which India had played an 
important role. However, the end of the 
Cold War changed the context of 
international relations entirely. But 
when India achieved its freedom and 
started framing its foreign policy, the 
Cold War was just beginning and the 
world was getting divided into these 
two camps.
The Policy of Non-Alignment
1
Indian National Movement
The Indian national movement was not an isolated process. It was 
a part of the worldwide struggle against colonialism and 
imperialism. It influenced the liberation movements of many 
Asian and African countries.
2
Pre-Independence Contacts
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.
3
Indian National Army
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.
4
Cold War Era
India's attainment of independence coincided with the beginning 
of the Cold War era, a period which 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.
Page 5


India's external relations
International Context
India's independence came amidst global upheaval. As a new nation, it faced 
complex international disputes and domestic challenges like poverty. Yet, 
India was determined to chart its own course, guided by principles of 
sovereignty and peace. This vision shaped its early foreign policy.
Factors affecting India's Foreign Policy
Domestic and 
International Influences
Just as both internal and external 
factors guide the behaviour of an 
individual or a family, both domestic and 
international environment influence the 
foreign policy of a nation. The 
developing countries lack the required 
resources to effectively advocate their 
concerns in the international system. So 
they pursue more modest goals than the 
advanced states. They focus more on 
peace and development in their own 
neighbourhood.
Economic and Security 
Dependence
Moreover, their economic and security 
dependence on the more powerful 
states occasionally influences their 
foreign policy. In the period immediately 
after the second world war, many 
developing nations chose to support the 
foreign policy preferences of the 
powerful countries who were giving 
them aid or credits. This resulted in the 
division of countries of the world into 
two clear camps.
Cold War Context
One was under the influence of the 
United States and its western allies and 
the other was under the influence of the 
then Soviet Union. There was also the 
experiment called Non- Aligned 
Movement in which India had played an 
important role. However, the end of the 
Cold War changed the context of 
international relations entirely. But 
when India achieved its freedom and 
started framing its foreign policy, the 
Cold War was just beginning and the 
world was getting divided into these 
two camps.
The Policy of Non-Alignment
1
Indian National Movement
The Indian national movement was not an isolated process. It was 
a part of the worldwide struggle against colonialism and 
imperialism. It influenced the liberation movements of many 
Asian and African countries.
2
Pre-Independence Contacts
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.
3
Indian National Army
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.
4
Cold War Era
India's attainment of independence coincided with the beginning 
of the Cold War era, a period which 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.
Nehru's Role
1
Preserve Sovereignty
Nehru aimed to preserve India's 
hard-earned sovereignty.
2
Protect Territorial 
Integrity
Protecting India's territorial 
integrity was a key objective.
3
Promote Economic 
Development
Nehru focused on promoting 
rapid economic development.
4
Non-Alignment 
Strategy
These objectives were pursued 
through the strategy of non-
alignment.
Jawaharlal Nehru, as both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, exercised profound 
influence in the formulation and implementation of India's foreign policy from 1946 
to 1964. Despite some opposition parties advocating for a pro-US foreign policy, 
Nehru possessed considerable leeway in formulating foreign policy.