Class 12 Political Science Previous Year: Short Questions with Answers - India's External Relations

Q.1. Highlight the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in the foreign policy of India.  [2024]
Ans. Role of Jawaharlal Nehru  in the foreign policy of India.
Jawaharlal Nehru  played  a very important role in making the foreign policy of India.
All  his efforts were aimed at:
(i) protecting territory integrity
(ii) promoting rapid economic development
(iii) preserving the hard earned sovereignty
(iv) achieving the objectives through the strategy of non-alignment.

Q.2. (a) Suggest any two measures to improve India’s relations with Pakistan.  [2024]
OR
(b) Suggest any two measures to improve Indo-China relations.
Ans. (a) Measures to improve India’s relations with Pakistan:
(i) People to people contact and exchange programmes should be initiated.
(ii) Trade between the two countries should be restored and encouraged.
(iii) Diplomatic relations should be improved.
OR
(b) Measures to improve Indo-China relations:
(i) Negotiations should be encouraged to resolve the border disputes.
(ii) Regular meetings of different personnel should be held to maintain peace at the Actual Line of Control (ALC).
(iii) Mutual trade should be encouraged.
(iv) Confidence building measures should be adopted as far as possible.

Q.3. "India has maintained good relations with Russia after the end of Cold War." Justify the statement with four examples.  [2024]
Ans. 
(i) India -Russia relations are embedded in a history of trust and common interests.
(ii) Both share a vision of multipolar world order.
(iii) India has signed Indo-Russian Strategic Agreement,2001.
(iv) India gets regular energy supplies from Russia.
(v) India benefits from its relationship with Russia on issues like Kashmir.
(vi) Both share information on international terrorism.
(vii) India gets most of its military hardware from Russia.
(viii) India is assisted by Russia in its space research projects.
(ix) India and Russia have collaborated on various scientific projects.

Q.4. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:  [2023]
India conducted a series of nuclear tests demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. After this ,Pakistan also conducted tests. International Community imposed sanctions on both India and Pakistan which were subsequently waived. India opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation. 
(i) In which year did India conduct series of nuclear tests? 
(a) 1971
(b) 1985  
(c) 1992
(d) 1998
(ii) Identify the treaty that India refused to sign. 
(a) Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 
(b) Shimla Agreement 
(c) Panchsheel Agreement  
(d) Indus waters Treaty 
(iii) In the beginning. India wanted to generate nuclear energy for_______________. 
(a) peaceful purpose 
(b) making atomic bombs. 
(c) competing with the super powers. 
(d) ensuring its security.
(iv) Under whose guidance did India initiate its nuclear programme? 
(a) C.V. Raman
(b) Homi J. Bhabha 
(c) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 
(d) K. Kasturirangan
Ans. 
(i) (d) 1998
(ii) (a) Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(iii) (a) peaceful purpose
(iv) (b) Homi J. Bhabha

Q.5. Explain any four features of India-Israel relations.   [2023]
Ans. India –Israel relations:
(i) Historical and culture ties between India and Israel go back from time immemorial.
(ii) Diplomatic Relations officially started from 1992 when Isreali embassy  established in India.
(iii) Heads of both the state have paid visits to each other’s country.
(iv) The two nations have started cooperated in various fields like cultural exchange, security & Defence, counter terrorism, space research , water and energy and agriculture developments.

Q.6. “India’s impressive technological growth in recent years has made the country an attractive partner of US.” Support the statement giving any four examples.   [2023]
Ans. 

• The US absorbs about 65% of India's total exports in the software sector. 
• 35% of the technical staff of Boeing is estimated to be of Indian origin. 
• 30000 Indians work in Silicon Valley.
• 15% of all high-tech start ups are by Indian Americans. 

Any recent developments in Indo -US relations mentioned by the students must be credited.

Q.7. Why was the period of India’s first nuclear test a difficult period in its domestic politics? Explain.   [2023]
Ans. It was a difficult period in India’s democratic politics because:
(i) Prices were rising due to the Arab-Israel war of 1973.
(ii) There was a hike in oil prices.
(iii) India was facing difficulties on the economic front.
(iv) Many agitations were going on in the country.
(v) India faced a railway strike in May 1974.

Q.8. Highlight any four areas of cooperation between India and Russia.   [2022]
Ans. The Indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on six major components: politics, defence, trade, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism cooperation and space.
(i) During the Cold War, India and the Soviet Union had a strong strategic, military, economic and diplomatic relationship. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited its close relationship with India which resulted in both nations sharing a Special Strategic Relation.
(ii) The Annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation is the highest institutionalised dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
(iii) Joint Tri-Services Exercise ‘INDRA 2019’ between India and Russia was carried out simultaneously in Babina, Pune, and Goa from 10th -19th December 2019.
(iv) The two countries intend to increase bilateral investment to US$50 billion and bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2025.

Q.9. In which way did the policy of Non-Alignment serve India’s interests?
Ans. NAM allowed India to take decisions and stances that served its own interests rather than interest of the superpowers.
It also helped India to balance one superpower against the other. If pressurised by one, could turn to it towards the other.

Q.10. Highlight the contribution made by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to the foreign policy of India.
Or 
Highlight any two aspects of the Indian foreign policy which were greatly influenced by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Ans. 
(i) Non-Aligned Movement
(ii) Use of Nuclear policy for peaceful purposes.
(iii) Opposition to racism, colonialism and support for decolonisation.
(iv) Support for panchsheel

Q.11. Mention any four Directive Principles of State Policy for the promotion of international peace and security.
Ans. directive principles of State policy for the promotion of international peace and security: The state shall endeavour to :
(i) promote international peace and security.
(ii) Maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
(iii) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another.
(iv) Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitrations.

Q.12. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of these statements : 
(i) Non-alignment allowed India to gain assistance both from USA and USSR. 
(ii) India’s relationship with her neighbours has been strained from the beginning. 
(iii) The Cold War has affected the relationship between India and Pakistan. 
(iv) The Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1971 was the result of India’s closeness to USA.
Ans. 
(i) True
(ii) True
(iii) True  
(iv) false

Q.13. Explain the relevance of NAM in the contemporary scenario.
Ans. The relevance of NAM :
(i) Against racial discrimination
(ii) disarmament
(iii) Respect for human rights and dignity
(iv) Opposition to counter neo-colonialism
(v) Maintain environmental balance
(vi) New Economic Order
(vii) To curb terrorism

Q.14. Assess the main contribution of the NonAligned Movement to the newly independent countries. 
Ans. Contribution of the Non-Aligned Movement :
(i) provided a third option of not joining the Cold war politics.
(ii) Newly independent countries were able to take international decisions and stances that served their interests.
(iii) They were able to balance both the Superpowers.
(iv) They were able to preserve their sovereignty and independence.

Q.15. How did the Sino-Indian conflict affect the opposition also?
Ans. As a result of the Sino-Indian conflict, the Communist party of India (CpI) got split. Some of the leaders who supported USSR ideology supported Congress party’s move.
Those who supported the communist ideology of China drifted away from Congress and formed Communist party of India (Marxist), CpI(M). Many leaders of the newly formed party were arrested.

Q.16. Which two differences between India and China led to an army conflict in 1962?
Ans. The two differences were:
(i) India supporting liberation of Tibet and giving political asylum to Tibetan spiritual leader, dalai Lama.
(ii) Border area dispute in the regions of Aksai Chin and NEfA.

Q.17. Identify any two aspects of India’s foreign policy that you would like to retain and two that you would like to change, if you were to become a decision maker. Give reasons to support your position.
Ans. Two aspects of Indian policy worth supporting are :
(i) India has always been a peace loving country and helped in restoration of peace in countries like Korea, China, etc.
(ii) India has never aligned to any of the military blocs of the world and has played a vital role in establishment of NAM.
Two aspects of Indian policy worth changing are:
(i) The wars waged by India against neighbours in spite of having a peaceful image put a question mark on India’s ability to keep neighbours in control.
(ii) The purpose of establishment of SAARC got under water with the regular conflicts with China and a SAARC country like pakistan.

Q.18. How the aim of India to respect the sovereignty of other countries did find an echo in the Directive Principles of the State Policy?
Ans. Aim of India to respect the sovereignty of other countries did find an echo in the directive principles of the State policy : Article 51 of the Indian Constitution lays down some directive principles of State policy on ‘promotion of international peace and security.’ “The state shall endeavour to -
(a) promote international peace and security
(b) Maintain just and honourable relations between nations
(c) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another; and
(d) Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.”

Q.19. Describe any four issues of conflict between India and China.
Ans. The main areas of conflict are:
(i) Removing of historical buffer between India and China by invasion of Tibet by China.
(ii) Suppressing of Tibetan culture by the Chinese.
(iii) Claiming Aksai Chin and NEfA as a part of China.
(iv) Non-acceptance of any discussions and deliberations on the matter by the Chinese leaders.

Q.20. Describe any two major issues of conflict between India and Pakistan leading to war of 1971.
Ans. 
(i) The support extended to freedom struggle of East pakistan.
(ii) India had to bear the burden of lakhs of refugees.

Q.21. “The conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-way interaction between domestic compulsions and prevailing international climate. Take one example from India’s external relations in the 1960s to substantiate your answer.
Ans. The statement stands justified in the light of SinoIndian war in 1962. China claimed Aksai Chin (part of Ladakh region) and NEfA (region of Arunachal pradesh) to be a part of Chinese territory. China captured the Aksai Chin region and built road network over there. The matter could not be resolved in a peaceful manner despite discussions and deliberations among the leaders of the two countries and finally led to war in 1962. India had to seek military assistance from USA and UK. USSR remained neutral. with the war of 1962, India got alerted about the similar situation that may arise in the North-East.

Q.22. Does India’s foreign policy reflect her desire to be an important regional power? Argue your case with the Bangladesh War of 1971 as an example.
Ans. Yes, the statement is fully justified. The support of India in Bangladesh war is a substantial proof of the statement. India’s foreign policy of non-alignment to the military camps had made the intention of our leaders clear that they want India to develop as a regional power herself. There was an uprising in East pakistan for a separate independent government. To curb the movement, their leader Sheikh Mujib was arrested by pakistan army and atrocities were levied on the revolutionaries.
India faced the problem of refugees who migrated from East pakistan to the neighbouring regions in India. The revolutionaries demanded for an independent country named Bangladesh and were supported by India in the venture. pakistan lost the war and Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation on March 26, 1971. The tension between India and pakistan increased as it was seen by pakistan as promoting civil war in their country and partition of the country. Both India and pakistan signed a peace agreement, popularly called, The Shimla Agreement on July 3, 1972.

Q.23. Explain India’s Nuclear Policy.
Or 
Explain any four important features of India’s Nuclear Policy.
Ans. The important features of India’s nuclear policy are:
(i) Not to initiate the use of nuclear weapons in a war.
(ii) pleaded nuclear disarmament with the world superpowers. 
(iii) Opposed Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
(iv) Conducted a peaceful explosion test in 1974 to demonstrate self-sufficiency in nuclear technology.

Q.24. Why was the nuclear test conducted by India criticised?
Ans. The nuclear test by India was criticised in many parts of the country as well as across the world. The main reason within the country was that there was a worldwide inflation on account of Arab – Israel war and performing nuclear test in times of inflation pressurised the Indian economy.