Indian Foreign Policy

An Overview
 Development of Nation-States and increasing
interactions among them has resulted into formation
of foreign policy in the modern times. Establishment
of United Nations and process of decolonization that
has liberated many states into sovereign entities,
further provided impetus to interrelationships
among states.
 There is certain unanimity among scholars and
statesmen on necessity of a foreign policy for each
state, since no state will like to function in complete
isolation from rest of the world.
 Principles And Objectives
 In international community every country has to interact
with other countries.
 This interaction is not random but takes place with
definite orientations and objectives.
 These orientations and objectives form the core of foreign
policy.
 According to noted scholars Appadorai and M.S. Rajan,
‘Foreign policy is the sum total of principles,
interests and objectives which a state formulates
in conducting its relations with other states’.
 “It is formulation and implementation of a set of ideas
that govern the behaviour of state actors while interacting
with other states to defend and enhance its interests”.
 Foreign policy is not a fixed concept as it keeps on changing
according to changing domestic and international conditions.
 Still there are certain principles and objectives, which are not
amenable to fast changes.
 National interest is the core objective of foreign policy of a
nation.
 The secondary national interest may change with time but the
primary national interest endures.
 National security is an example of primary interest.
 No country can compromise with her national security for the
sake of most beloved principles of foreign policy.
 Thus, the foreign policy is the instrument to realize the
national interest of a country.
 India’s foreign policy has been subject to various
pulls and pushes since its inception.
 National interests are needs, aims or desires
conveyed to policymakers by the citizens of a
country. Such aims, needs and desires vary
enormously from State to State and time to time.
Basic Principles and Determinants
of India Foreign Policy
Foreign policy of a country is shaped by two set of
factors –

Domestic and International.

These two set of factors have shaped India’s foreign

policy also.
The first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru,
gave due consideration to these factors and played a
leading role in shaping country’s foreign policy’
Main Determinants of India’s Foreign Policy
Domestic Factors:
 Geographical Factor
 Historical Factors
 Ideological Factors
 Freedom Movement
 Economic Factors
 Military Factors
 Personal Factors
 National Interests
 Constitutional Factors have played important role in
determining the objectives and principles of India’s
foreign policy.
 Domestic Factors

 Under domestic factors, the role of geographical,

historical, economic and cultural factors needs to be
understood.

 Geographically, India is surrounded by Indian

Ocean from three sides, Himalayas in the North, great
desert in the West and hilly terrain and porous border
in north-east. Indian security to a large extent depends
upon the security of its sea frontiers. The Himalayas,
which used to be a natural barrier against foreign
attack is no longer so in view of development of air
power. The porous and open border in the north-east
creates problem of foreign infiltration and a fertile
ground for anti-India activities.
 Historically, India has been a land of Gautama
Buddha, Mahavir and Gandhi. The spirit of
tolerance, peace and non-violence are rooted in
Indian ethos. These values have influenced the basic
tenets of India’s foreign policy. The foundations of
India’s foreign policy were laid during the freedom
movement when our leaders fought the evils of
colonialism and racialism. The principles of
sovereign equality of all nations, respect for all races
and opposition to colonialism were articulated and
evolved during the freedom struggle itself.
 Economically, India has been subjected to long
colonial exploitation. At the time of independence,
India was suffering from many economic ills like
poor economic infrastructure lack of capital and
technology, poverty, unemployment, hunger and
poor health services. In order to overcome these
evils, India needed foreign support in the form of
capital and technology both. Thus, the fast
economic growth became one of the primary
objectives of India’s foreign policy also.
 Ideological and Freedom Movement
The dominating ideology of India’s freedom struggle
undoubtedly got reflected in its post-independence
foreign policy.
 Socially and culturally India is a multi-religious
and multicultural society. In view of emerging
democracy, India has to keep in mind the
sensitivities of her social and cultural composition.
Since India has opted for democratic form of
government, the role of popular perception cannot
be ruled out in the formation of foreign policy
choices.
 International Factors:

 Existence of two power blocs

 Cold War
 the emergence of military alliances and arms race,
particularly the nuclear arms race
 Friendship with neighboring Countries
 Relations with Commonwealth of Nations
 Help to newly Independent Nations
 Faith in the United Nations
 Need of World Peace
 Newly Emerging World of Afro-Asian countries etc. have
influenced the priorities and objectives of our foreign policy
 In brief, the domestic and international factors played
important role in shaping India’ foreign policy.
Basic Objectives of India’s Foreign Policy

 Promotion of World Peace

 Anti-Colonialism
 Anti-Racialism
 Non-Alignment
 Panchsheel
 Afro-Asian Bias
 Links with Commonwealth of Nation
 Protection and Promotion of National Interests
 Support to the UNO
 Faith in Disarmament
 Basic Objectives of India’s Foreign Policy

 Strengthening of the United Nations

 Opposition to Military Alliances
 Support to Disarmament
 Observance of Policy of Non-alignment
 Promotion of Peaceful Co-existence
 Maintenance of World Peace and Security
 Friendly relations with all the Nations
 Ending of Imperialism and Colonialism
 End of Racial Discrimination
 Close Relations with Asian and African Countries
 Following objectives attained most
important positions in India's foreign policy:

 (a) Preservation of Sovereignty and Independence.

As the world was divided into two hostile camps.
Indian leadership was convinced that India had been
destined to play a major role in world affairs.
However, this role can be performed only by
maintaining its independent voice in international
relations.
 (b) National Development. At the time of
independence, India was underdeveloped in
industrial production, while its agriculture was based
on backward means.
 (c) Protection of Interests of People of Indian Origin
Abroad. India’s foreign policy devotes much of its attention
to protect interests of Indians settled abroad. They made
valuable contributions in development of economy and
modern society in those countries.
 (d) Decolonization of Asia and Africa. India had witnessed
the misery and humiliation due to colonial rule for about
two centuries. Therefore, it was natural for the Indian
people to stand in solidarity with the nations that had been
struggling to become free.
 (e) End to Racialism. Racialism not only suppressed the
rights of many people in the world but also threatened the
world peace at large. People of Indian origin were also
victim of racial policies in South Africa and many other
dominions in African continent.
 The structural changes in world politics after the end
of Cold War forced India to adjust to new realities.
Even then, basic framework of its foreign policy
remained more or less the same.
 India certainly is as an emerging nation and its urge
for power is growing tremendous in the recent
couple of decade riding on the lorry of global
financial regime change and the domestic growth of
economy. It is re-contextualizing its role and the
change of positioning from a neutral idealist foreign
policy towards a realist and pragmatic policy.
 India’s Foreign Policy MODULE - 6
India and the World

26
INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY Notes

Every sovereign country has its foreign policy. India too has one. Foreign policy refers to
the sum total of principles, interests and objectives which a country promotes while interacting
with other countries. Even though there are certain basic features of a foreign policy it is
not a fixed concept. The thrust of foreign policy keeps on changing according to changing
international conditions. India’s foreign policy is shaped by several factors including its
history, culture, geography and economy. Our Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave a
definite shape to the country’s foreign policy.

Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to
l identify the basic principles of India’s foreign policy ;
l explain the meaning and significance of non-alignment ;
l analyse the relevance of non-alignment in the post cold war period ;
l explain the major concerns in India’s foreign policy in the post cold war period ;
l recognise India’s contribution to UN efforts for peace and disarmament ;
l explain India’s participation in UN peace keeping and its claim for a permanent seat
in the Security Council.

26.1 Basic Objectives and Principles of Foreign Policy

Preservation of national interest, achievement of world peace, disarmament, independence
for Afro-Asian nations have been important objectives of India’s foreign policy. These
objectives are sought to be achieved through some principles viz. Panchsheel; non-
alignment; anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism, anti-racism, and strengthening the UN. It
would be befitting to expand these principles.

26.1.1 Panchsheel
Nehru was a believer in world peace. He understood the linkage between peace for

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India and the World development and survival of mankind. He had seen the destruction caused by the two
world wars and therefore realized that for the progress of a nation a long spell of peace
was needed. In its absence social and economic priorities relating to development tend to
get pushed to the background. The production of nuclear weapons strengthened Nehru’s
faith in the peaceful philosophy even more. Hence he gave utmost importance to world
peace in his policy planning. India’s desired peaceful and friendly relations with all countries,
particularly the big powers and the neighbouring nations, while signing an agreement with
China, on April 28, 1954, India advocated adherence to five guiding principles known as
Notes Panchsheel for the conduct of bilitral relations. It includes the following:
l Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
l Mutual non-aggression
l Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
l Equality and mutual benefit
l Peaceful co-existence.
The Panchsheel agreement enumerates best the principles of peaceful co-existence with
neighbours. It is an important component of India’s foreign policy.

26.1.2 Non-alignment
Non-alignment has been regarded as the most important feature of India’s foreign policy.
Non alignment aimed to maintain national independence in foreign affairs by not joining
any military alliance formed by the USA and Soviet Union in the aftermath of the Second
World War. Non-alignment was neither neutrality nor non-involvement nor isolationism. It
was a dynamic concept which meant not committing to any military bloc but taking an
independent stand on international issues according to the merits of each case. The policy
of non-alignment won many supporters in the developing countries as it provided an
opportunity to them for protecting their sovereignty as also retaining their freedom of
action during the tension ridden cold war period.
India played an important role in forging the non-aligned movement (NAM). The concept
of NAM emerged through a gradual process. Nehru took the initiative to convene the
Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in 1947. Later on a Conference, of 29 countries
of Asia and Africa was held in Bandung (Indonesia) in 1955. This was the first gathering
of its kind which pledged to work together for colonial liberation, peace, cultural, economic
and political cooperation. Bandung to Belgrade in 1961 where the first NAM conference
was held was a logical process to project an alternative to cold war bloc politics and
assertion of newly independent countries of their independent and sovereign rights.
Cold War was intense rivalry between USA and Soviet Union without fightling a direct
war to attract allies in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It started soon after the Second
World War and continued for forty five years. These two big countries became two opposite
poles known as East and West. The world politics revolved around these two poles. Thus
the world became bipolar.
Among the non-aligned, Nehru had evolved special relationship with President Tito of
Yugoslavia and Nasser of Egypt. These three are regarded as the founding fathers of the
Non-Aligned Movement. The non-aligned movement was a group of the newly independent
states who refused to accept the dictates of the former colonial masters and decided to

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act according to their own judgement on issues of international concern. Non-aligned India and the World
movement is anti-imperialist in approach. India as the prime architect of non-alignment
and as one of the leading members of the non-aligned movement has taken an active part
in its growth.
The Non-Aligned Movement is providing all member states, regardless of size and
importance, an opportunity to participate in global decision making and world politics. India
hosted the Seventh NAM Summit at New Delhi in 1983. India hoped NAM take up the
Notes
cause of development, disarmament and the Palestine question.
Since NAM was a product of the cold war scenario and the bipolar world, many scholars
have questioned the relevance of NAM after the end of cold war and demise of the Soviet
Union. However, even in the present scenario NAM has a significant role to play, First,
with the disintegration of Soviet Union, the world faces threat from unipolar world. The
NAM can act as a check against US dominance. Secondly the developed (North) and
developing (South) world are divided over several economic issues. The NAM remains a
very relevant forum for third world countries to engage the developed nations in a productive
dialogue.Moreover, the NAM can prove to be powerful instrument for South-South
cooperation. Such a thing is essential if the third world countries are to increase their
bargaining power vis-a-vis the developed world. India continues to take active part in the
non-aligned movement even after the end of cold war. Finally, the developing countries
united under the forum of NAM have to fight for the reform of UN and change it according
to the requirements of 21st century.

26.1.3 Anti Imperialism, Anti Racism, Anti Colonialism

India has always opposed colonialism and racism. Whenever any injustice happened, India
raised her voice, for instance in favour of Indonesia’s nationality fighting the Dutch
colonialism in 1947, against South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia and the infamous
apartheid policy in South Africa India fully supported inclusion of communist China in the
United Nations.

26.1.4 Strengthening of UN
India has always viewed UN as a vehicle for peace and for peaceful change in world
politics. Apart from this, India has always expected UN to actively involve countries to
moderate their differences through talks or negotiations. Further, India has advocated
active role for UN in development effort of Third World countries.India has pleaded for a
common united front of the third world countries in the UN. It believes that the non-
aligned world by virtue of its massive number could play a constructive and meaningful
role in the UN by stopping the superpowers from using this world body for their own
designs. As early as 1950 India linked the reduction of armaments with the larger goal of
development.
The UN has in fact played a key role in preserving world peace by helping in the
decolonization process, by providing humanitarian and developmental assistance and through
peacekeeping.
Decolonization – refers to achievement of independence from colonial rule. After the
Second World War many colonies of achieved freedom in Asia and Africa.

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India and the World

Intext Questions 26.1
1. Fill in the blanks :
(a) _____________ was the main architect of India’s foreign policy.
(b) The Afro-Asian Conference, 1955 was held at ____________.
(c) The first NAM Conference was held at ___________ in the year __________.
Notes
(d) The Panchsheel agreement was signed between ____________ and ________.
(e) India hosted NAM Summit in ___________.
2. Tick (ü) the correct answer :
(a) Non-alignment and neutrality can be treated as same. (True/False)
(b) India opposed the policy of apartheid as practised by the government of South Africa.
(True/False)
(c) Nehru along with Tito and Nasser played a major role in the founding of NAM.
(True/False)

26.2 Major Concerns in India’s Foreign Policy in the Post

Cold War Period
The end of cold war in 1989 has brought about significant changes in the international
scene and hence new policy problems for the various states in the developing world including
India. The new situation is made by greater uncertainty and complexity.
For India, disintegration of the Soviet Union has meant uncertainty on several aspects viz.
supply of weapons system, supply of spare parts, diplomatic support on Kashmir and other
politico-strategic issues in and outside the United Nations and as a counter weight to US in
South Asia.During the last one decade and a half international politics has undergone
major changes. The cold war has ended, the world has become unipolar, a number of
states have disintegrated, cold war military blocs have lost their significance, some such
blocs have dissolved and new regional economic blocs are shaping up. Globalisation has
given rise to new set of problems such as terrorism, money laundering, proliferation of
weapons, global warming etc. These problems are not endemic to any region but affect all
the countries to some extent or the other. This has forced many nation states which were
hitherto enemies to cooperate with each other to solve problems which are universal in
nature. In this changed international scenario it has become imperative for UN to restructure
and reform itself if it is to effectively respond to emerging challenges.
Militancy in Kashmir has emerged as the formost challenge to our foreign policy. Pakistan
and the Western countries blamed India for violating human rights and denial of rights to
self determination.Gradually, India brought the situation under control.
Because of the Kashmir dispute, India’s relations with Pakistan sharply deteriorated. India
accused Pakistan of fanning trouble through cross border terrorism in Kashmir and other
parts of our country. India conducted nuclear weapon tests in 1998, followed by Pakistan’s

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tests. Pakistan resorted to further mischief by secretly sending its soldiers into Kargil in India and the World
order to cut off the Kashmir valley from the rest of India. India handled the challenge
firmly and effectively. Now engaging Pakistan in a constructive and composite dialogue
process remains a challenge to India’s foreign policy, because there is a great deal of push
from the United States
Spread of terrorism to corners beyond Kashmir is a challenge as well as opportunity for
our foreign policy now a days. India is interested in forging anti-terrorism coalition with as
many countries as possible. Notes
Keeping old friendship and looking for new friendships is another challenge for our
foreign policy after the cold war has ended. For example, India is interested in
strengthening its relations without damaging its relations with Arab countries. Similarly,
India’s foreign policy is tackling new tasks like deepening economic and security
cooperation with the United States, while at the same time opposing unilateral actions
against Iraq and Yugoslavia. Finally, India is realizing the growing importance of
economic aspects of foreign policy. Hence, it is trying to establish a new basis for its
relations with neighbouring countries in South Asia, China and the South East Asian
counties.

Intext Questions 26.2

Q. 1. Tick (ü) the correcct answer :
(a) International relations in the post cold war period is based upon the bipolar model.
(True/False)
(b) Kashmir issue became the biggest foreign policy problem for India in 1990s.
(True/False)
(c) India’s foreign policy after cold war wants to neglect Arab countries and embrace
Israel. (True/False)
(d) India is trying to forge a coalition of countries to counter terrorism. (True/False)

26.3 India and the United Nations

26.3.1 India’s Contribution to UN Efforts for Peace and
Disarmament
The United Nations which came into being on Oct. 24, 1945 has been the most important
international organisation since the Second World War. The formal basis for UN activities
is the UN charter. The UN has a vital role in world affairs. For more than fifty years UN
has helped to manage relations between states and regulate a broad range of international
activities. It has worked to protect the security of people and promote peace and
development. One way in which UN has contributed to world peace is by taking up the
cause of disarmament India has also contributed immensely to UN’s disarmament efforts.
Disarmament is limitation, reduction and possible elimination of dangerous (like nuclear)
weapons.

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India and the World Since independence, India has consistently pursued the objective of global disarmament
based on the principles of non-discrimination. Given the destructive capacity of nuclear
weapons, India has always believed that a world free of nuclear weapons would enhance
global security. Thus India has always advocated that highest priority be given to nuclear
disarmament as a first step towards general and complete disarmament.
India has contributed to UN significantly on disarmament in terms of ideas, resolutions,
initiatives and bridging differences through action plans. In 1948, India had proposed limiting
Notes the use of atomic energy to peaceful purposes and elimination of nuclear weapons from
national arsenals. In 1950, India suggested formation of a UN Peace Fund created through
peaceful reduction of arms and directing the amount thus released towards development
purposes. In 1954, India advocated the cause for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
India was the first to become party to partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963. Hence India strongly
and consistents refused to join the Treaty. In 1964, India took the initiative to place the item
‘non-proliferation of weapons’ on UN agenda. However, the purpose was defeated by
the (1968) carried that a large numbering of counties from going nuclear, without firm
restrictions on the few nuclear weapon countries activities Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Although our country allged to the oppose to problem.
In 1984, India launched a Six-Nation Five Continent Peace Initiative along with Argentina,
Greece, Mexico, Sweden and Tanzania. Four years later (in a joint declaration issued on
the occasion of visit of President Gorbachev of Soviet Union the then Prime Minister,
Rajiv Gandhi made a forceful plea for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The Delhi
declaration enumerated ten principles for building a nuclear weapon free world). In 1988,
Rajiv Gandhi proposed an Action Plan for ushering in a nuclear weapon free and non-
violent world order. The Action Plan envisaged a binding commitment by all nations to the
elimination of nuclear weapons in stages by 2010. India is also an original signatory to the
Chemical Weapons Convention, having signed it on Jan. 14, 1993 and was among the first
65 countries to have ratified the treaty. In 1993 India sponsored a resolution on
comprehensive test ban along with the US within the overall framework of advancing
towards nuclear disarmament. India was distressed when final version of the CTBT was
rushed through without consenses. And it failed to address the security reasons of India.
Hence it bravely stood against the steadlity fashion in which some tests use canned while
sophisticated nuclear tests were not in a way, India’s conduct of nuclear tests in 1998
could we linked to the unfair framework of CTBT, though many initially misunderstood
India’s tests as a negative development for disarmament; India pledged to continue to
work for inaugural and non-discriminaly nuclear disarmament.

Intext Questions 26.3

1. India has always stood for
(a) a nuclear weapons free world
(b) a world where every country has nuclear weapons
(c) a world where nuclear weapons are selectively held by few countries
2. What do the following abbreviations stand for?
(a) CTBT (b) NPT

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26.3.2 India’s participation in UN peacekeeping India and the World
India’s history of participation in UN peacekeeping operations is a long one. India’s
contribution has been described as excellent by many political observers. In UN. India’s
contribution has been acknowledged by members of the international communities.
Peace keeping stands for prevention, containment and termination of hostilities between
or within states through the non offensive activities of multinational forces of soldiers,
police and civilian people sent unto the authority of the United Nations with the consent of Notes
the countries concerned. Peacekeeping nations changed in its scope and nature according
to needs of a conflict situation.
India has taken part in 35 of UN peacekeeping operations in four continents. Its most
significant contribution has been to peace and stability in Africa and Asia. Presently India
is ranked as the largest troop contributor to UN.
The saga of India’s role in UN peace keeping began with the establishment of the United
Nation’s Emergency Force (UNEF) in the Gaza strip and the Sinai in 1956 after Israeli
war against Egypt ended.The Congo in Africa benefitted significantly from troop presence.
India’s contributed to keep unity and integrity of that history in 1960s.
After the end of cold war, India’s contribution to UN peacekeeping remains significant
equaly, if not more, military personal at the request of the United Nations Secretery General
to Angola, Cambodia, Somalia, El Salvador and Sierra Leone etc. Many of these countries
were victims of chaos caused by civil wars. No government machinery collapsed or was
discredited. India sent not just troops, but police, doctors, engineers and administrators.

Intext Questions 26.4

Q.1. The first peacekeeping nation with Indian troops was sent to
(a) Korea
(b) Sinai
(c) Congo
Q.2. Which of the following statements is false ?
(a) India is one of the second largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping.
(b) Peacekeeping was confined to cold war years.
(c) India’s role was significant in protecting the Congo from separation.
Q.3. India’s contribution to peacekeeping included
(a) only troops.
(b) only non-military staff.
(c) both military and civilian staff.

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India and the World 26.4 India’s Case for a Permanent Seat in the Security Council
As you already know, the efficiency of peace maintenance in the world depends on the
effectiveness of the Security Council but the Council has suffered in this regard due to its
outdated, unchanged membership. Presently the permanent membership of the Security
Council is confined to US, Russia, Great Britain, France and China. However, such
composition of the Security Council does not take into account the current global power
configuration which has changed since the days when these countries were inducted as
Notes permanent members. Since India has emerged as the fourth fastest growing economy and
also because of the leadership it has provided in all international fora, its contribution to
UN peacekeeping, its track record in espousing the cause of the third world, India has a
strong case for a permanent seat in the Security Council. We are getting support from
many friendly countries. A final decision on the matter is likely to take some time, because
of its complexity.

Intext Questions 26.5

Q. 1. Which of the following is not a permanent member of the Security Council?
(a) Russia
(b) Great Britain
(c) India
(d) China
Q. 2. Which of the following statements is false?
(a) Cold war is over
(b) Soviet Union has disintegrated
(c) Globalisation is a reality
(d) United Nations has been dissolved.

What Have You Learnt

India has followed certain basic principles in the conduct of its foreign policy from which
it has not deviated much. In fact some of its basic features such as non-alignment still
remain significant and relevant. The proof of the durability of some decades old principles
lie in the efforts of India and China to revive the fifty year old Panchsheel as the basis of
bilateral relations. India has contributed significantly to UN efforts for peace and
disarmament and to UN peacekeeping operations. Even as India is poised to become an
economic superpower in the coming times, it always has and in future too will take necessary
steps to further its national interest in every respect i.e. political, strategic and economic
terms.

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India and the World
Terminal Exercises
(1) Discuss the basic tenets of India’s foreign policy.
(2) Discuss the relevance of the policy of non-alignment.
(3) How far are India’s claim for a permanent seat in the Security Council justified ?
(4) What are the challenges that confront India after the end of cold war and disintegration Notes
of Soviet Union ?
(5) Write short notes on
(a) Panchsheel agreement
(b) India’s contribution to UN efforts for disarmament
(c) India’s participation in UN peacekeeping.

Answers to Intext Questions

26.1
1. (a) Nehru
(b) Bandung
(c) Belgrade, 1961
(d) India, China
(e) New Delhi
2. (a) False
(b) True
(c) True

26.2
1. (a) False
(b) True
(c) False
(d) True

26.3
1. (a) a nuclear weapons free world
2. (a) Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(b) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

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India and the World 26.4

1. (b)
2. (c)
3. (c)

26.5
Notes
1. (c)
2. (d)

Hints for Terminal Exercises

1. Refer to Section 26.1
2. Refer to Section 26.1.2
3. Refer to Section 26.4
4. Refer to Section 26.2
5 (a) Refer to Section 26.1.1
(b) Refer to Section 26.3.1
(c) Refer to Section 26.3.2

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India’s Foreign Policy
Principles of India’s Foreign Policy
• 1. Promotion of World Peace
• 2. Anti – Colonialism
• 3. Anti – Racialism
• 4. Non- Alignment
• 5. Panchsheel
• 6. Afro – Asian Bias
• 7. Links with Common wealth of nation
• 8. Support to the UNO
• 9. Disarmament
Non – Alignment Movement
 Background
• The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the Cold War as an organization of States
that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the Soviet
Union, but sought to remain independent or neutral.
• The basic concept for the group originated in 1955 during discussions that took place at
the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia.
• The first NAM Summit Conference took place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961.
• It has 120 members as on April 2018 comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26
from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan). There
are 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers at NAM.
• The Non-Aligned Movement was founded and held its first conference (the Belgrade
Conference) in 1961 under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel
Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Sukarno of
Indonesia.
• The purpose of the organization was enumerated in Havana Declaration of 1979 to ensure
"the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned
countries" in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all
forms of foreign subjugation.
• During the cold war era the NAM played a vital role in stabilizing the world order and
preserving peace and security. Non alignment of NAM doesn't mean the neutrality of state
on global issues, it was always a peaceful intervention in world politics.
 Principles
• As J.L Nehru was founding members, the principles of NAM was largely guided by
Panchsheel principles, some of them are:
• Respect for the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and international
law.
• Respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States.
• Peaceful settlement of all international conflicts in accordance with the charter of the
United Nations.
• Respect for the political, economic, social and cultural diversity of countries and peoples.
• Defence and promotion of shared interests, justice and cooperation, regardless of the
differences existing in the political, economic and social systems of the States, on the basis
of mutual respect and the equality of rights.
• Respect for the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence, in accordance with the
charter of the United Nations
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of States. No State or group of States has the right to
intervene either directly or indirectly, whatever the motive, in the internal affairs of any
other State.
• Promotion and defence of multilateralism and multilateral organisations as the appropriate
frameworks to resolve, through dialogue and cooperation, the problems affecting
humankind.
Objectives
• NAM has sought to "create an independent path in world politics that
would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles
between the major powers."
• It identifies the right of independent judgment, the struggle against
imperialism and neo-colonialism, and the use of moderation in
relations with all big powers as the three basic elements that have
influenced its approach.
• At present, an additional goal is facilitating a restructuring of the
international economic order.
 NAM in Cold War Era
• Against Apartheid: The evil of apartheid was massively prevalent in African
countries like South Africa, its was on the agenda of NAM right from first
conference. During 2nd NAM conference at Cairo the government of South Africa
was warned against the discriminatory practices of apartheid.
• Disarmament: The Non-aligned Movement repeatedly comes out for maintenance
of peace,'the cessation of arms race and the peaceful coexistence of all States. In
the General Assembly, India submitted a draft resolution declaring that the use of
nuclear weapons would be against the charter of the United Nations and crime
against humanity and should therefore be prohibited.
• UNSC reforms: Right from its inception NAM was in the favour of UNSC reforms, it
was against the domination of US and USSR. It wanted the representation of third
world countries to make UNSC more democratic. Members echoed with same
demand at 17th NAM conference at Venezuela.
• Failed to resolve regional tensions: In the era of cold war the tension in South Asia
escalated due to regional conflict between India- China and India-Pakistan. NAM
failed to avoid tensions in the region, that further led to the the nuclearisation of
the region.
 India’s Position
• India being a founder and largest member in NAM was an active participant in NAM meetings till
1970s but India’s inclination towards erstwhile USSR created confusions in smaller members. It led to
the weakening of NAM and small nations drifted towards either US or USSR.
• Further disintegration of USSR led the unipolar world order dominated by US. India’s New Economic
Policy and inclination towards US raised questions over India’s seriousness over non alignment.
• Prime Minister of India skipped the 17th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit held in Venezuela in
2016, it was only second such instance when Head of a state didn’t participate in NAM conference.
• Moreover, NAM continued losing relevance for India in a unipolar world, especially after the founding
members failed to support India during crisis. For instance, during 1962 War with China, Ghana and
Indonesia, adopted explicitly pro-China positions. During 1965 and 1971 wars, Indonesia and Egypt
took an anti India stance and supported Pakistan.
• India in particular, but also most other NAM countries, have integrated themselves to varying degrees
within the liberal economic order and have benefited from it.
• India is a member of the G20 and has declared itself as a nuclear weapons power and has for all
practical purposes abandoned the call for global nuclear disarmament.
• India has also engaged itself with new and old global powers. India joining the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue, a coalition seen by many as a counterforce to China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific and Shanghai
cooperation organisation led by China shown India’s balancing approach in new world order.
• India is striving hard for a multipolar world order and asserting itself as one of the player. Multi polar
world order is very much closed to NAM principles.
Emerging Global Order
• NAM has to adopt and change itself to suit the newly emerging challenges and
geopolitics such as:
• World has again moved towards bi-polarity, one led by US and other by China-
Russia. The war torn syria is prime example of this, where both US and Russia is
asserting power.
• The escalating tension in Indo-pacific region due to China’s assertion and US
acting as a counterweight to check the Chinese expansionist policy.
• The large scale migration in Europe and Asia due to the unstable regimes
and ethnic conflict in different parts of world.
• Issue of global climate change and occurence of catastrophic disasters raising
demand to form global consensus to deal with it.
• Changing US policies, protectionism, prevalent terrorism and nuclearisation of
middle east.
• Formation of multiple regional economic groupings like TPP and RCEP and
fading away of multilateral bodies WTO from global arena.
Relevance of NAM
• NAM continues to hold relevance as a platform and due to its principles.
• World peace - NAM has played an active role in preserving world peace.It still stands by
its founding principles, idea and purpose i.e. to establish the peaceful and prosperous
world. It prohibited invasion of any country, promoted disarmament and a sovereign
world order.
• Territorial integrity and sovereignty - NAM stands with this principle and proved its
repeated relevance with the idea of preserving the independence of every nation.
• Third World nations - Third world countries fighting against socio-economic problems
since they have been exploited for a long time by other developed nations, NAM acted
as a protector for these small countries against the western hegemony.
• Support of UN - NAM’s total strength compromises of 118 developing countries and
most of them being a member of UN General Assembly. It represents two third
members of general assembly, hence NAM members act as important vote blocking
group in UN.
Relevance of NAM
• Equitable world order - NAM promotes equitable world order. It can act as a bridge
between the political and ideological differences existing in the international
environment.
• Interest of developing countries - If disputes arise between developed and developing
nation at any point of a concerned topic for example WTO, then NAM act as a platform
which negotiates and conclude disputes peacefully securing the favorable decisions for
each member nation.
• Cultural diversity and human rights - In the environment of gross human right
violation, it can provide a platform to raise such issues and resolve the same through
its principles.
• Sustainable development - NAM supported the concept of sustainable development
and can lead the world toward sustainability. Can be used as larger platform to make
consensus on global burning issues like climate change, migration and global
terrorism.
• Economic growth - The countries of NAM has inherent assets, such as a favourable
demography, demand and favourable location. The cooperation can lead them to
higher and sustainable economic growth. Can be an alternative to regional groupings
like TPP and RCEP.
 Way Forward
• NAM as a concept can never be irrelevant, principally it provides a strong base
to foreign policy of its members.
• It should be seen as “Strategic Autonomy”, which is the need of the hour of
today’s world. The principles of NAM still can guide the nations towards it.
• NAM is a platform where India can assert its soft power and provide an active
leadership and by being a torchbearer for smaller countries at multilateral
platforms.
• It should be used as a platform to raise global issues like terrorism, climate
change and trade protectionism and others.
• NAM platform can be used to garner support by South-East Asian countries
like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines against Chinese assertion in
South China Sea and related island and border disputes.
• NAM can provide a platform for Afro-Asian cooperation and a strong position
for poor African nation to have healthy negotiations with China and US for
economic development without compromising the sovereignty of their land.
• The conference of Heads of the State or Government of the Non-
Aligned Countries, often referred to as Non-Aligned Movement
Summit held in Azerbaijan in June 2019. Platform used for consensus
making on spectrum of global issues.
World Trade Organization
(WTO)
 WTO
• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a global
international organization dealing with the rules of
trade between nations. The work of WTO moves
around WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by
the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified
in their parliaments.
• The goal is to help producers of goods and services,
exporters, and importers conduct their business.
 Need For WTO
• It helps to contribute towards international peace, by helping the
trade to flow smoothly and dealing with disputes over trade
issues.
• It allows disputes to be handled constructively. With Global
boundaries evading, more and more trade is taking place, and
hence, leading to more chances for disputes. To put forth to the
claim, around 300 cases have been filed since inception of WTO,
and without peaceful and harmonious way to resolve them, they
could have led to a political crisis.
• It is based on rules and has nothing to do with power of the
nation.
• It gives consumers more choice and a broader range of qualities to
choose from.
• The fact that there exists a forum to handle crisis, gives confidence
to nations to do more and more trade, thereby increasing the
income, and stimulating economic growth.
• GATT and WTO – differences….
GATT – flexible
member countries can bargain, choose or
avoid - specific discipline.
WTO – rigid
universally applied to all member countries
binding dispute settlement procedures.
• GATT and WTO - differences ……
WTO - dispute settlement mechanism(power to
impose trade sanctions)
GATT - domestic legislation not permitted

• GATT - provisional legal agreement

WTO - permanent agreement
• GATT : objectives
1. Expansion of international trade
2. Increase of world production by ensuring full
employment in the participating nations
3. Development and full utilisation of world
resources
4. Raising standard of living of the world
community as a whole
• WTO - objectives
• improve the standard of living - member
countries
• ensure full employment and increase in demand.
• enlarge production and trade of goods
• increase the trade of services
• ensure optimum utilization of world resources.
• protect the environment
• accept the concept of sustainable development
WTO is directed towards
• Setting and enforcing rules for international
trade
• resolving disputes
• encouraging transparency
• further trade liberalisation, and
• help developing countries benefit fully from
the global trading system
 India And WTO
• India is a founder member of the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 and its successor,
the World Trade Organization (WTO), which came
into effect on 1/1/1995 after the conclusion of the
Uruguay Round.
• India's participation in an increasingly rule based
system in the governance of international trade is to
ensure more stability and predictability, which
ultimately would lead to more trade and prosperity
for itself and the 159 other nations which now
comprise the WTO.
• India also automatically avails of MFN and national
treatment for its exports to all WTO members.
• India’s participation
• GATT -1948
• WTO -1995
• Uruguay Round 1986-1994
• Doha Round 2001
• Bali Package 2013
Impact Of WTO Agreements On Indian
Economy
• The signing of WTO agreements will have far
reaching effects not only on India’s foreign
trade but also on its internal economy.
• Although the ultimate goal of WTO is to free
world trade in the interest of all nations of the
world, yet in reality the WTO agreements has
benefitted the developed nations more as
compared to developing ones.
 Positive Impacts/Benefits /Advantages
/Gains from WTO
• Increase in Export Earnings:
• Estimates made by World Bank, International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WTO Secretariat,
shows that the income effects of the implementation
of the Bali Round package will be an increase in
traded merchandise goods. It is expected that India’s
share in world exports would improve.
 CNTD…
Agricultural Exports:
• Reduction of trade barriers and domestic
subsidies in agriculture is likely to raise
international prices of agricultural products.
• India hopes to benefit from this in form of higher
export earnings from agriculture.
• This seems to be possible because all major
agriculture development programmes in India
will be exempted from the provisions of WTO
Agreement
 CNTD…
• Export of Textiles and Clothing:
• With the phasing out of MFA (Multi - Fibre
Arrangement), exports of textiles and clothing
increased and this will be beneficial for India.
• The developed countries demanded a 15 year
period of phasing out of MFA, the developing
countries, including India, insisted that it should
be done in 10 years.
• The Uruguay Round accepted the demand latter.
But the phasing out Schedule favoured the
developed countries because a major portion of
quota regime was removed only in the tenth year,
i.e. 2005. The removal of quotas benefited not
only India but also every other country.
 CNTD…
• Multilateral Rules and Disciplines:
• The Uruguay Round Agreement has strengthened
multilateral rules and disciplines. The most
important of these relate to anti - dumping,
subsidies and countervailing measures,
safeguards and disputes settlement.
• This is likely to ensure greater security and
predictability of the international trading system
and thus create a more favourable environment
for India in the New World Economic Order
 CNTD…
• Growth to Services Exports:
• Under GATS agreement, member nations have
liberalised service sector. India benefits from
this agreement. E.g. India’s services exports
have increased from about 5 billion US $ in
1995 to 143.5 billion US $ in 2012-13.
The United
Nations
Why do we have the UN?
 After World War I, the League of
Nations was created to prevent another
world war.
 During World War II, the League of
Nations was eliminated because it
failed to prevent another war.
 In 1945, with the end of WWII nearing,
the United Nations was created to
replace the failed League of Nations.
 History of the United Nations
 In 1945, San Francisco hosted the
United Nations Conference on
International Organizations.
 There were 50 countries represented
at the United Nations Conference
including: United States, France,
United Kingdom, Soviet Union (now
Russia), and China.
 These five countries are known as
the “Permanent Five” members.
 What does the United Nations Do?
 (i) to maintain international peace and security
through collective measures for suppression of
aggression and through peaceful settlement of
disputes;
 (ii) to develop friendly relations among
countries based on full respect for the principle
of equality and self-determination;
 (iii) to achieve international cooperation in the
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian
fields, and
 (iv) to encourage respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
 Who and Where?
 Almost all countries in the world are
members of the UN.
 There are currently 193 countries in

the UN.
 The headquarters is in New York City

 The International Court of Justice

(ICJ) is located in The Hague in the
Netherlands.
UN World Headquarters
New York
Parts of the United Nations
1. The General Assembly – the ‘town
meeting’ of the world.
2. UN Security Council – maintains world
peace (most powerful branch)
3. Economic and Social Council - works
with the UN’s economic, cultural, health
and educational activities.
4. Trusteeship Council - territories
5. (ICJ) – International Court of Justice
6. The Secretariat – administrative duties
and can bring any topic before the SC.
International Court of Justice
The Hague, Netherlands
 The General Assembly
 Every member nation has a
seat at the General Assembly.
 Brings up international issues

that they want the Security

Council to deal with
 Holds elections for Security
Council members and other
leaders
The General Assembly
Inside UN Headquarters
 UN Security Council
 Made up of 15 countries:
• The “Permanent Five” countries
• 10 non-permanent countries (elected
every two years)
 The strong-arm of the UN
 Maintains international peace
 How does it do this:
• Recommends peaceful negotiations
(peace talks)
• Can use Economic Sanctions
• Can use Military Sanctions
The UN Security Council
Inside World Headquarters
 Sanctions
 Sanctions are used to punish a
country for violating international
law. They can be used to force a
country to follow a law.
 In order for sanctions to be used
by the UN Security Council, ALL
FIVE permanent members must
have a unanimous vote.
 Types of Sanctions
 Diplomatic Sanctions – removal
of all political ties (like
embassies)
 Economic Sanctions – ban on all
trade with a country (except
food)
 Military Sanctions – using a

military to force compliance.

 Military Sanctions
 UN Peacekeepers – a group of armed
soldiers sent to a hostile area to promote
peace. They ARE NOT COMBAT TROOPS.
 These soldiers maintain peace.
 They don’t go on combat missions.
 They are not an ‘army’

 UN Military Force – an army made up of

soldiers from more than one UN country
that can serve as combat troops.
• They are not very effective and are not used
very often.
 UN Peacekeepers
They always wear blue berets or blue helmets
to identify themselves.
 Major UN Missions
 East Timor (Asia) – the UN supervised
the independence of this country
 Iraq (Middle East) – UN tried to cut all
trade with Iraq after it failed to comply
with international law, but some nations
continued to trade with them.
 Somalia (Africa) – UN humanitarian
mission to get food and supplies to
people in need
 Haiti (Caribbean) – UN helped strengthen
government, army, and hold elections
 Strengths of the UN
 Provides a forum for almost all of the
world’s nations to discuss
international issues
 Humanitarian efforts
• AIDS
• Landmine removal
• Food and supply organization
 Peacekeeping forces
 Will get involved with messes that no
one else will
 Weaknesses of the UN
 Sanctions are only effective if ALL
countries follow them (Iraq example)
 Military force is rarely used and is usually
ineffective
 ALL permanent members of the security
council have to vote unanimously (one
country can stop a sanction)
 Inadequate funding by member nations
• 14 Countries Pay 85% of the subscriptions
(membership fee)
 Big gap between developing and
industrialized nations
 UN Analysis Questions
 Some of the weaknesses of the UN
are caused by flaws in the structure
of the organization. Would it be
better to start from scratch, or spend
time and money solving the
problems from within.

 What do you think the world would

be like without the United Nations?
UN Analysis Questions (cont)
 Which part of the Untied
Nations would you put the
most money towards? Why?

 What are some alternatives to

economic and military
sanctions if they don’t work?
Can India achieve superpower status?

The people of India have often dreamt that their country will become superpower. Their
belief is based on the fact that for the past few years, there are great changes social,
economic, scientific and military aspects of the country. Political experts have also
considered India as one of the possible emerging superpowers of the world along with China,
Brazil, Russia and European Union. Currently, only the United States fulfills the criteria to be
considered a superpower. Let us know further whether India is doing in various sectors and
understand how far we are from becoming a superpower.

What is a superpower?

A superpower is a country which has the capacity to project dominating power and influence
anywhere in the world. Currently, the United States is the only country which fulfills the
criteria to be considered a superpower. Superpower status is achieved by combining means of
technological, cultural, military and economic strength as well as diplomatic and soft power
influence.

Advantages:

Reasons for the growing pride among Indians are not hard to find. In terms of economy,
based on purchasing power parity, the Indian economy is the world's third-largest. High-tech
centers including Bangalore and Hyderabad, have given way to rise of top IT companies like
Infosys and Wipro. Besides, TCS, HCL, Tech Mahindra are among the international elite in
their industry.

When it comes to telecom, India is currently the world's second-largest telecommunications

market with a subscriber base of 1.20 billion. India has as many cell phone users; almost
nowhere is the telecom industry growing faster. Indian Television industry has more than 400
private television channels and has an overall market size of $22.5 billion. The subcontinent
is also making great strides in renewable energy sectors like Solar and wind power.

When it comes to defence, Indian Air Force stands at number 4 in the list of strongest Air
Force, India gets placed in 7th rank in the powerful navies’ list and Indian Army again placed
in 4th position at the best army rankings. Though, India is now the world's largest weapons
importer it is slowly becoming self reliant player. With sheer military size, India is now
aggressively seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council. It's also a nuclear power
that has expanded its arsenal of warheads. Despite the strong displeasure among the powerful
nations, India has no intention of signing the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. In terms of
science and technology, the Indians have sent satellites into space some time ago, and have
already launched some to Mars and the Moon.

Internal problems

But despite big advantages, there are a number of challenges which hold back the country.
Some of them include degradation of liberal values, Naxal insurgency, trivialization of
media, large scale corruption, instable politics due to multi-party governments. Apart from
this, there are many major problems which are listed out here.

Infrastructure:

The country's poor infrastructure is the "biggest hurdle’’ for becoming a super power nation.
India faces problems about securing land and winning over segments of the population to go
ahead with specific projects. Apart from this, the country is unable garner financial resources
for infrastructure development. For example, New Delhi is our top city in terms of
infrastructure, but it is nowhere near to a city like New York or even Hong Kong. Besides,
roads and bridges, India in basic issues like water, housing and schools. In electricity, there
are thousands of villages without proper electricity, besides, amount of power cuts is another
matter. India is the second most populated country in the world and within few years it
growth rate will be around 1.6 %. But the comparatively, growth rate of Indian real estate has
been at par with its population, but still a house remains a dream for millions of India. For the
past few decades, trend of nuclear families in India has increased and grown multi folds this
has led to the increase in the demand for houses by leaps and bounds in urban areas. In rural
areas, the expansion of villages into towns and towns into cities has also contributed to the
increase in real estate’s demand and fuelled the need for more houses. According to a UN
Report, India has only 31% of the total population uses improved sanitation and 85 % of the
total population has access to drinking water.
Rich – poor divide

India's richest, who are just 1 per cent of its 1.3 billion people, garner around 73 per cent of
the wealth generated in the 2017-18. But, the wealth of the poorest half of Indians around 70
crore - rose by only one per cent, according to a report given by Oxfam. The report further
said that the wealth of India's elite went up last year by Rs 20,913 billion -- an amount
equivalent to the government's total budget in 2017-18. Economists have offered solutions
that are taxing the super-rich by re-introducing an inheritance tax, increasing wealth tax,
reducing and eventually removing with corporate tax breaks could be a game changer. But
nothing has been concrete.

Governance

India has top professionals in every field and are world class and their number is rising by the
day. But the politicians are rated the worst among the world. According to the election
commission of India, one-third of the Lok Sabha consists of charge sheeted politicians. In
most top countries corruption politicians exist, but in India, they rule the country.

Conclusion

India is admired by the world for its tradition and richness of its culture. But more need to be
done on the economic, political sides. India should not necessarily be loved, but respected by
its neighbours. For many years, US has always faced the perception of acting as a big brother.
But one must note that its huge economy and political power make its respectable and dictate
terms in the world.

Though it is nice to dream about India becoming superpower, have many friends and be able
set the rules of the game, the Indian needs more clarity on what it wants to do when it
becomes a power to reckon with.
 The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and Treats (SWOT) of India:

Strengths :
1. A strong Election system – that ensures reasonably Free and Fair elections. We must remember
Sri T.N. Seshan for giving the election commission the necessary “backbone” – to deal with the
wily Political system.
2. A fast growing Educational system – that is producing a huge number of professionals in
various technical, medical, management, scientific and other streams. The quantity (in terms of
number of institutions) has improved – by throwing open the system to private participation in a
big way. But the quality is yet to improve to desired levels.
3. An Exceptionally talented, Entrepreneurial class – with world Class ambitions and skills. Most
of the Progress that India is making must be credited to this class. This class just needs to be
allowed – to make India prosperous.
4. A Growing and upwardly mobile Middle class – welcoming every product and service with
open arms.
5. An international quality, English speaking class, which can beat the English in their language
capabilities
6. Media which is hugely supportive of Growth and willing to take up causes of reform – political,
economic and social
7. A strong youth force that cuts across language, caste, religion and regional barriers – willing to
move out to any country – in search of progress.
8. A strong Higher Judiciary – with willingness to look at the root causes of crime and criminal
mindedness – and not merely the instant crime before it – and suggest measures to cleanse the
system – has been a great strength for India.
9. Effective autonomous / semi-autonomous Institutions like CAG, SEBI, Banking Ombudsman,
RBI etc are proving to be of great strength in their respective areas. Some Institutions like Lok
Pal, CVC, NHRC, NWRC etc are effective in part. It is obvious that India needs a large number of
such independent regulators in each field – and appoint really fearless, devoted persons to head
these institutions.

Weaknesses :
1. Political Class : How I wish that I could mention our Political Class as our greatest strength! It is
increasingly suspect - to be our main weakness. There are no doubt, stars of great caliber among
the Political class. But, by and large, the Political class is more illiterate than the youth of this
country(actually it must be the reverse), more corrupt than the average Indian, and I suspect,
more crime-prone too. The Political Parties are still recruiting people with criminal back grounds at
very early ages – and grooming them for Political leadership. Rowdyism should be stopped by
Politics but now, it starts in Politics. How many of these Politicians have read Indian constitution,
or even a short summary of it, to be able to swear by it and guard it – is anybody’s guess. How
many of them are aware of the problems of India is even more suspect. How many of them are in
Politics with service motive – the less talked of, the better. All said – if the best in all Parties come
together to plan to cleanse the Political system – it can be done easily.
2. COMMON MAN Barred from Politics : When India started off on its, socialist, democratic
Journey, any common man could stand for election, campaign his cause and win in elections ,
 either based on a Party ticket or on his own. Now no more. One needs to be able spend huge
moneys for the purpose – which automatically cuts off all the middle and poorer classes from
contesting in elections. Readers should not go by the declared assets of Politicians. Just look at
how much spending is done in each constituency. The marginalization of the common man from
Politics, directly and indirectly, by the Political class, is a big blow to democracy
3. Corruption : Corruption at all levels – has become the bane of Indian Governing system. And the
Governing System – is unwilling to listen to any saner voices. The Governing system has shown no
appreciable propensity to expose the corrupt, or proceed quickly against the corrupt, or stand
away from the corrupt.
4. Violence – in politics and outside is on the increase. Cinema and TV are encouraging the same.
Violence emanates basically from the corrupt and the crime prone. The violent men are more
organized than others.
5. Divisions of caste and religion are a bane of India. While the youth of India unreservedly fight
off the caste and religious barriers; and even the religious heads of all major religions make efforts
to come together – the Political class makes all possible efforts to ‘divide and rule’. Looking for
caste and religion in every ordinary crime – is a sickening trend.
6. DELAYS IN LEGAL SYSTEM : Justice delayed is Justice denied. In India, delays in dispensing
Justice, are too common, and too much – for whatever may be the reasons. At the same time,
arrests, remands, Spending time in Jails / Police custody without trial are becoming common.
7. POLICING SYSTEM : The Indian Policing system is probably the most ineffective in tackling crime
or preventing crime. From News reports, media reports and other sources, we find, a number of
Policemen are into crime themselves in large numbers. Custodial violence in India is becoming too
very notorious and attracting adverse attention everywhere. Reformation of the Policing system is
the most urgent – from the common man’s point of view.In my opinion, the recruitment and
training methodology must focus on integrity of Police personnel, more humane methods of
treating both complainants and culprits and improving the pro-active prevention of crime.
8. Disintegrating Family Values : I think , this is a fast developing weakness. Lack of respect for
elders, lack of concern for traditions and morals, disappearing bonds of love and affection are
clearly visible in Families across the country. The growth of Old age homes in all metros and
smaller cities is a clear pointer to the disintegrating families and family values. So is the growth of
children’s homes. While these alternatives are welcome to tackle the adverse, disintegrating family
systems – the causative factors for them must be disturbing for the nation. If the younger
generation is not tuned to shouldering responsibilities of both elders and children in a more
acceptable atmosphere – the nation will slip into a nation of unnecessary suffering due to
disappearing value systems.
9. Education sans morality : Today, Indian education does not guarantee moral fibre and Integrity.
For some silly reasons – the Educational system has done away with moral and character building
education almost totally. Either people Want a religious book or no morals at all! This is the height
if illogicality. Morals and Integrity are clearly transcending all religious barriers. You don’t need to
belong to any religion to practice truth, non-violence, love, service, compassion, help and such
other things.

Opportunities :
1. Religious harmony : This is one thing which can be brought reasonably easily in India. Most
religious leaders have shown that they want peace and harmony in India. Politicians must only
refrain from inciting this or that religion – by passing partisan laws and making partisan demands.
2. Abolition of caste System : Caste system is several thousands of years Old – and any such
social system degenerates, when the whole social environment has changed. Today- clinging to an
outdated caste system is meaningless. We as a society, must make efforts to smoothly abolish the
caste system, without undue rupturing of any class. It is definitely possible – and we must start off
with the premise that it is possible. Caste basis must be abolished in temples, government services
and every where – even while prescribing the essential qualities for people needed by each
service. For instance, a priest needs to be a devotee, willing to adhere to sanctity, cleanliness and
any procedural aspects. He can be taught whatever needs to be taught. A devoted, well learned
priest is any time better for a temple and the God – compared to an ignorant person belonging to
any caste. Same goes with every government service or any service. We must also develop
respect and gratitude for every socially relevant service. For instance, people want to abolish
manual scavenging. Fine – if we are able to do it better by other means. But, at the back of the
demand is a disrespect for the manual scavenging work. This is not correct. Every socially
important service must be respected. In the homes, the traditional mother does it for her children.
Who else will do for the child – if the mother feels it nasty, as some modern women tend to feel?
The manual scavenger is like the mother of the society. That’s why Gandhiji did it himself and
showed the dignity of labour.As we progress towards abolition of caste system – let us retain and
improve our respect for all traditional works performed by any caste. This is more important.
3. Improving Laws : All or most of our Laws are punitive and not reformative in nature. There is
very less proactive prevention of crime or criminality. I am pointing out many such laws and social
practices in a services ‘Uniting the Nation, dividing the Nation’ in one of my blogs. Ideally – we
must not allow a Police man to enter in any dispute within a household, either between a wife and
husband or between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law or father and son and so on. The Police
man is the least qualified to settle their disputes. There must be a quasi social-judicial set-up
which goes into these disputes proactively, on any information from even any neighbours or from
any of the parties to the quarrel or dispute – and effectively advice and warn the parties – long
before any crime actually takes place. This will avoid khap panchayats which are said to be extra
legal and the Police – who are worse than khap panchayats in dealing with household disputes.
The goal should be to keep the family united – but all present laws and systems take the family
through tortuous processes towards disintegration – and total destruction.
4. Improving Political systems :We must make the following Laws to improve our Political and
governing systems. (i) Make Laws that all MLAs and MPs must be Graduates from a recognized
University. There is no point now – to be electing illiterates to govern a highly literate nation. (ii)
Make Laws that every MLA and MP must have stayed in another state, other than the state of his
constituency – for at least 2 years. The absence of such a law is the root cause of all inter-state
disputes and separatist agitations. The initial slogan of Unity in Diversity has now degenerated into
more diversity than Unity. (iii) Every person intending to stand for election as MP must have
toured ALL STATES of India once – in an organized tour conducted by Government of India and
stayed in each state at least for 10 days (iv) Every MP / MLA should conduct a meeting in his
constituency that may be attended by members of public once in every two months – and tell
them – all that he has done in last 2 months for the constituency and country.
5. Promote Individual Merit : We often hear of a 10 year old getting a medical Degree or even a
Ph.D., in advanced countries like US and Canada. We can by all means promote the reserved
 classes and support them in all possible ways – but that need not inhibit the meritorious students
from reaching their levels of excellence at their pace. You will find to your pleasant surprise that
such meritorious students (Like Abdul Kalam) who can move speedily through conventional
education systems will come from all castes and religions. This will also spur the growth of the
reserved classes much faster than at present. It is myth to say – that merit is caste based. It is
not so. This myth will be totally demolished – if merit gets recognition.
6. Promote research & Innovation :India is one country where first class Post Graduates in
science do not get jobs in science streams. There are virtually no research institutions of any great
merit. India, both Government and Private sector, must spend huge sums on research and
Innovation and must produce innovations which the whole world will be grateful for. Today – all
things that we are using – are the result of research in other countries. This must change. Indians
must imbibe the spirit of research and innovation.
7. To be No.1 in Defence Research :India is surrounded on all sides by great neighbours. China
and Pakistan are nuclear Powers already. But, for some historical reasons – there is suspicious
atmosphere between India and these countries. India must therefore aim to be No.1 in defence
research and defence capabilities.
8. EXCELLENCE is the motto : India should consciously choose excellence as its motto – in all fields
of human endeavour. All people, belonging to forward, backward, SC/ST, minorities will all come
up well – if only we keep excellence as our motto in all fields. The feelings of separation will vanish
very quickly if this is done. We are all Partners in excellence.
9. Supluses – Not scarcity : India must plan for surpluses in every thing – not for scarcities. Today,
our mind sets are still tuned to scarcities. Huge food grains stocks co-exist with high inflation in
food grains. All raw materials and all man power needed for road building, electricity generation,
transport facilities are all TOTALLY available in India – but we wait for FDI to connect all these,
which is ridiculous. If we plan well – Indian money can connect Indian raw materials with Indian
Man power and Indian Brain Power – and we can have all these which we want within 5 years
sharp, all over India. USA talks of trillions of dollars, because USA has related assets of that value.
We must come out of scarcity mind sets and plan for surpluses.
10. POPULATION : All progress will come to nothing – if current rate of population growth continues.
India must have an aggressive population policy – like many other countries have. Every section
must co-operate – else we will all fall flat and remain undeveloped forever. There are just not that
much of land or natural resources to support this level of growing population. The only surplus we
can boast of seems to be our Population.
11. Environmental Protection : It is easy to plant millions of (Useful) trees within a few months and
grow them within 2-3 years – in our cities, towns, villages, roadsides, riversides etc. We only need
to use funds like NREGA for such measurable, productive purposes. At least we can ensure
sufficient oxygen for our growing population.

Threats :
1. Terrorism : Terrorism is a threat. But, if you deal sternly with terrorists – terrorism may come
down. If you pursue terrorists and hunt them – they will have less chance of planning their
attacks. Make them defensive. This goes for external terrorists and organized terrorists like
Naxalites. But, other internal violence should not be and need not be equated with terrorism. They
are law and order problems.
2. Other threats : I don’t think there are any other major threats – if we take care of our strengths,
weaknesses and opportunities. India can rise to No.1 Position, economically, militarily, and
culturally. India can show the way how to prosper unitedly with diverse cultures.India has Great
leaders - almost in each Party - waiting in the wings, to take it to this deserved Position.

India- strengths and weaknesses

On the positive side India is a mature democracy that has rewritten its
history by conquering hunger, poverty and illiteracy. One of the fastest
growing economies in the world, India today has a number of educated,
efficient, high skilled and fairly young people. Its products are known for
quality and in great demand the world over. These are what make India –
the land of hopes. But at the same time India’s greatest weakness is a lack
of national character and pride in being Indian.

STRENGTHS CHALLENGES

Number of poorbelow poverty level

India has a vast manpower of young educated
with easy adaptability ability to acquire multiple
disciplines of skills
Temperamentally and attitude wise can easily
fit into the Western culture
Self Sufficient in food grains and various cash
crops with scope for improving productivity to
produce more surplus
Wide industrial base with the capacity to
produce world class items.
Wide education network – churning out half a
million graduates each year. Largest school
leaving student population
Less than 86 million aged (beyond working age)
mostly looked after by families
Largest middle class 260 million with immense
purchase power and craving to improve living
styles and life standards
pegged at 22 per cent population
Infrastructure for imparting skills to huge
workforce (at present only 2 per cent of
workforce is trained skilled workers
Health care need on massive scale with
training in hygienic conditioned habitats
Mentality change needed to inspire them to
work rather than remain dependent on charity
to feed themselves
Need to inculcate character and pride in
India and Indian
Uneven social stratification must end to
erase inbuilt intra caste conflicts
Major boost to renovate infrastructure to bear
weight of rapid economic growth
Need for release of locked up savings with
banks with conditions of security of invested
savings

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
India is a Land of hopes
Rapid growth can sustain larger manpower with
skilled jobs.
Job opportunities can be availed after training in
various skills. Five million are always remitting
millions of dollars each other for economic
betterment of their families
Narendra Modi’s vision for governance differs
vastly from the traditional visions of either the
rightists or leftists. He depends more on
Gandhian thought for his attention to turning the
vast numbers who were deprived at the
doorsteps of the economic structure for six
decades
A vast nation with a central authority ruling over
the federal structure with free and fair elections
and responding political system with strong roots
acquired in last six decades. India has seen 15
prime ministers in sixty five years with 16
elections. The Indian electorate is demanding to
make accountability a major factor for
performance of incumbents. The electorate is
willing to gamble without fear of instability or
collapse of system. No other country has seen
such electoral gambles.
Degraded politics that leads to public trading
of charges based on assumed malfunctioning
by those in power. Habit of doubting intents
and integrity of everyone persists in political
arena. In fact it is abuse of freedom of
expression
Prosperity may bring more violence both
internal and external. Internal of people’s war
groups and external is terrorism
Indian Muslims are more emancipated than
their brothers everywhere. They participate in
every economic and cultural activity as fully
nationalists. But passionate groups within the
majority are unwilling to accept the other
denominations as equals. The conflicting
attitudes can lead to sporadic violence.