Passage Based Questions: India’s External Relations | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Nehru was against nuclear weapons, so he pleaded with the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. However, the nuclear arsenal kept rising. When communist China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers—the USSR, USA, UK, France, and China (Taiwan represented China)—imposed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 on the rest of the world. India always considered the NPT as discriminatory and had refused to sign it. When India conducted its first nuclear test, it was termed a peaceful explosion. India argued that it was committed to the policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes.

(i) What was Nehru's stance regarding nuclear energy and weapons?
Ans: Nehru wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes and was against nuclear weapons. He pleaded with the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament.

(ii) When did India conduct its first nuclear test and what was its reason?
Ans: The first nuclear test was undertaken by India in May 1974. Nehru had always placed his faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India.

(iii) Why did India view the NPT as discriminatory and refuse to sign it?
Ans: India considered the NPT discriminatory because it was selectively applicable to non-nuclear powers and legitimized the monopoly of the five nuclear weapon powers. India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Passage - 5

Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

When India conducted its first nuclear test, it was termed a peaceful explosion. India agreed that it was committed to the policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. The period when the nuclear test was conducted was a difficult time in domestic politics. Following the Arab-Israel War of 1973, the entire world was affected by the Oil Shock due to the massive hike in oil prices by the Arab nations. It led to economic turmoil in India resulting in high inflation.

(i) When did India conduct its first nuclear test and what was the purpose?
Ans: India conducted its first nuclear test in May 1974 to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

(ii) Why was the period during which India conducted its nuclear test considered difficult in domestic politics?
Ans: The period was difficult due to rising prices caused by the Arab-Israel War, which led to a hike in oil prices and economic difficulties in India.

(iii) What international event in the 1970s was responsible for high inflation in India?
Ans: The Arab-Israel War of 1973.

Passage - 6

Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. Pakistan soon followed, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange. The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent, and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan, which were subsequently waived. India’s nuclear doctrine of credible minimum nuclear deterrence professes “no first use” and reiterates India’s commitment to global, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear weapons-free world.

(i) When and for what purpose did India conduct a series of nuclear tests?
Ans: India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998 to demonstrate its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.

(ii) What effect did the nuclear tests have on Pakistan?
Ans: Pakistan soon followed with its own tests, increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange.

(iii) How did the international community respond to the nuclear tests conducted by India?
Ans: The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent, and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan.