INDIA’S EXTERNAL

RELATIONS
ONE-SHOT LECTURE
(Added topics)
NOTES Pdf (Description)
Repeated PYQ (Last Year)

AFTER INDEPENDENCE
India started participating
in global affairs as an
independent nation.
India decided to conduct its foreign
relations with an aim to respect the
sovereignty of all other nations and to
achieve security through the
maintenance of peace. (Reflected in
DPSP - Article 51)
 Factors Influencing Foreign Policy of India
DOMESTIC FACTORS
➔ Partition : Economic Burden
➔ British govt. left behind the
legacy of international dispute :
Kashmir Issue
➔ Poverty
➔ Seperatism
➔ CHALLENGES - Establish
democratic parctice / Initiating
developmental programmes for
all sections.
INTERNATIONAL FACTORS
➔ World saw a devastating war &
was grappling with reconstruction.
➔ End of Colonialism
➔ UN came into existence
➔ Emergence of Cold War
➔ 2 Camps came into existence -Post
WW2, many countries supported
the foreign policies of stronger
countries that were extending them
financial and technical aid.
Which one of the following is not a
part of India's foreign policy ? 2021
Term 1

A. Policy of Non-Alignment
B. Respect for SAARC
C. Respect for unipolar world
D. Respect for peaceful co-existent
Ques - Describe any four
factors that influenced the
foreign policy of independent
India. 2020/2019 (4M)
 NON-ALIGNMENT & NEHRU’S ROLE

India chose not to join any of the blocs

Prime Minister & Foreign Minister - Nehru played a

crucial role in the formulation & implementation of India’s
foreign policy b/w 1946-64.
3 Major objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy - to preserve
the hard-earned sovereignty, protect territorial integrity,
and promote rapid economic development & he wish to
achieve this through Non-Alignment.
 SUPPORTERS OF USA’s MODEL

There were, parties & groups - believed that

India should be more friendly with the bloc led
by the US because that bloc claimed to be
pro-democracy. (i.e Dr Ambedkar)

Bharatiya Jan Sangh and later the Swatantra

Party - which were opposed to communism,
also wanted India to follow a pro-US foreign
policy.

But Nehru possessed considerable leeway

in formulating foreign policy
Ques - Describe the role of PM
Nehru in formulating &
implementing foreign policy of
India. 2019 (4M)
 Distance from two camps
India advocated non-alignment as the ideal foreign policy
approach - India vigorously pursued the dream of a peaceful
world by advocating the policy of non-alignment, by reducing
Cold War tensions and by contributing human resources to the
UN peacekeeping operations.

This was a difficult balancing act and sometimes the balance did
not appear perfect. Example - In 1956 when Britain attacked
Egypt over the Suez Canal issue, India led the world protest
against this neo-colonial invasion. But in the same year when the
USSR invaded Hungary, India did not join its public
condemnation.

Despite such a situation, by and large India did take an

independent stand on various international issues & could get aid
and assistance from members of both the blocs.
 UNEASE IN INDO-US RELATION
While India was trying to convince the other
developing countries about the policy of
non-alignment, Pakistan joined the US-led
military alliances.

The US was not happy about India’s

independent initiatives & non-alignment.

US also resented India’s growing partnership

with the Soviet Union.

India’s import-substitution policy - limited

India’s economic interaction with the world.
 AFRO-ASIAN UNITY

Prior to India's independence, there

were contacts between the Indian
nationalist leaders and those of
other countries, united as they were
in their common struggle against
colonisation and imperialism.
 AFRO-ASIAN UNITY

Nehru - Ardent advocate of

The Bandung Conference
Asian unity. His era was
held in Indonesia in 1955
marked by the establishment
brought the newly
of contacts between India &
independent Asian and
other newly independent states
African countries closer
in Asia and Africa.

The relations of India with other The Bandung Conference laid

Asian countries were strengthened
with Asian Relations Meet(1947),
Indonesia’s Freedom Struggle(1949)
& decolonisation process and firmly
opposed apartheid in S.Africa
foundation for NAM established in
1961 with Nehru as the co-founder. Its
first Summit was held in Belgrade in
September 1961.
Ques - Give any three suitable
arguments in favour of "India
being a staunch supporter of the
decolonisation process and in
firm opposition to racialism. 2017
(6M)
Ques - Explain the role
played by India in
maintaining afro-asian
unity. 2015 (4M)
Peace & Conflict with
China
Free India began its relationship
with China on a very friendly note.
After the Chinese revolution in 1949,
India was one of the first countries to
recognise the communist government.
Nehru felt strongly for this neighbour
that was coming out of the shadow of
western domination and helped the
new government in international fora
Some of his colleagues, like
Vallabhbhai Patel, were
worried about a possible
Chinese aggression in future.
But Nehru thought it was
‘exceedingly unlikely’ that
India will face an attack from
China.
PANCHSHEEL AGREEMENT
1 Mutual respect for each
other’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty,
2 Mutual non-aggression
3 Mutual non-interference in
each other’s internal affairs,
4 Equality and mutual benefit
5 Peaceful co-existence
PANCHSHEEL AGREEMENT
Both the countries (Nehu & Zhou Enlai)
signed Panchsheel Agreement on April
29, 1954 for peaceful co-existence on 5
guiding principles of peace.
As a result of this, there were frequent
visits of Indian and Chinese leaders to
each other’s countries.
The tension in this peaceful relationship
started with invasion of Tibet by China.
TIBET ISSUE
From time to time in history, China had
claimed administrative control over Tibet.
And from time to time, Tibet was
independent too.

In 1950 - China took over control of Tibet.

Large sections of the Tibetan population
opposed this takeover.

One of the clauses of Panchsheel agreement

- respecting each other’s territorial integrity
& sovereignty, India conceded China’s claim
over Tibet.
 Dalai Lama’s Visit to India

In 1956 - The Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama

accompanied the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during the
official Chinese visit to India.
He informed Nehru about the worsening situation
in Tibet.

But China had already assured India that Tibet will be

given greater autonomy than enjoyed by any other region
of China
1958 - armed uprising in Tibet
against China’s occupation. This
was suppressed by the Chinese
forces.
1959 - Dalai Lama sought asylum
which was granted.
The Chinese government strongly
protested against this.
Over the last half century, a large
number of Tibetans have also
sought refuge in India and many
other countries of the world.
China - created the Tibet autonomous
region, which is an integral part of
China.
Tibetans oppose - Chinese claim that
Tibet is part of Chinese territory.
They also oppose the policy of bringing
Chinese settlers into Tibet.
Tibetans dispute China’s claim - that
autonomy is granted to the region.
They think that China wants to
undermine the traditional religion and
culture of Tibet.
 2 Major Developments : Straining
India-China Relationship

China annexed Tibet in 1950 and thus

removed a historical buffer between the
two countries.

China alleged that indian government

was allowing anti-China activities to take
place from within India.
India claimed that the boundary was a matter settled in
colonial time, but China said that any colonial decision
did not apply.

Main Dispute - Western & Eastern end of the long border.

China claimed two areas within the Indian territory :
Aksai-chin (Ladakh) & much of the state of Arunachal
Pradesh in what was then called NEFA (North Eastern
Frontier Agency )

1957- 1959 - Chinese occupied the Aksai-chin area & built

a strategic road there. The matter could not be resolved
despite discussions and deliberations among the leaders
of the two countries and finally led to war in 1962.
INDIA-CHINA WAR, 1962
While the entire world’s attention was
on superpower - China launched a
swift & massive invasion in October
1962 on both the disputed regions.
The first attack lasted one week &
Chinese forces captured some
key areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
The second wave of attack came
next month.
While the Indian forces could block
the Chinese advances on the
western front in Ladakh, in the
east the Chinese managed to
advance nearly to the entry point
of Assam plains.
Finally, China declared a
unilateral ceasefire and its
troops withdrew to where
they were before the
invasion began.
 OUTCOMES OF 1962 WAR
➔ The China war dented India’s image at home &
abroad.
➔ India had to approach the Americans and the British
for military assistance to tide over the crisis. The Soviet
Union remained neutral during the conflict.
➔ Some of the top army commanders either resigned or
were retired.
➔ Nehru’s close associate and the then Defence Minister,
V. Krishna Menon, had to leave the cabinet.
➔ Nehru’s own stature suffered as he was severely
criticised for his naïve assessment of the Chinese
intentions and the lack of military preparedness.
➔ For the first time, a no-confidence motion against his
government was moved and debated in the Lok Sabha.
➔ Soon thereafter, the Congress lost some key
by-elections to Lok Sabha
Impact of growing rift b/w China & USSR :
Irreconcilable difference in Communist Party

The pro-USSR faction remained within the

CPI and moved towards closer ties with the
Congress.

The other faction was for sometime closer

to China and was against any ties with the
Congress. The party split in 1964 and the
leaders of the latter faction formed the
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).

In the wake of the China war, many leaders

of what became CPI (M) were arrested for
being pro-China.
The war with China alerted the
Indian leadership to the volatile
situation in the Northeast region.
Apart from being isolated and
extremely underdeveloped, this
region also presented India with
the challenge of national
integration and political unity.
The process of its reorganisation
began soon after the China war.
Nagaland was granted statehood;
Manipur and Tripura, though
Union Territories, were given the
right to elect their own legislative
assemblies.
Sino-Indian Relations since 1962

It took more than a decade for India &

China to resume normal relations. It was
in 1976 that full diplomatic relations were
restored between the two countries.

Atal Behari Vajpayee was the first top level

leader to visit China in 1979. Later, Rajiv
Gandhi became the first Prime Minister after
Nehru to visit China.

Since then, the emphasis is more on trade

relations between the two countries.
Ques - Which among the following
statement about India-China relation is not
correct ? 2021 Term 1

A. The slogan hindi-chini bhai bhai was

popular for a brief while only.
B. China took over Tibet in 1950
C. India opposed China's entry into UNSC.
D. China attacked India in 1962
Ques - Describe the Indo-China Ques - Explain the causes for
relation b/w 1947-1962 ? the strained Relation b/w India
2016/2014 (4M) and China. 2015 (4M)
Ques - Read the passage given below and answer the
following questions 2015 (5M)

Two developments strained this relationship. China

annexed Tibet in 1950 and thus removed a historical
buffer between the two countries. Initially, the
Government of India did not oppose this openly. But as
more information came in about the suppression of
Tibetan culture, the Indian Government grew uneasy. The
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, sought and
obtained political asylum in India in 1959. China alleged
that the Government of India was allowing anti-China
activities to take place within India.
(i) What is meant by 'historical buffer'?
Ans - Historical buffer' means the country or area that lies between two large
and powerful countries and reduces the risk of war between them.
(ii) Why didn't the Government of India oppose the annexation of Tibet by
China?
Ans - India was a newly independent country and did not want to get involved
with war against China unnecessarily. It was an internal matter of China, so
India did not want to spoil its relation with China. But on a later stage, India
realized its mistake.
(iii) How far was it justified on the part of India to grant political asylum
to the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees?
Ans - In 1958, there was an armed uprising in Tibet against China's occupation.
However, more information came in about the suppression of Tibetan culture
by the Chinese forces. Consequently, the Dalai Lama sought and got political
asylum in India in 1959, along with thousands of Tibetan refugees.
Thus it was fully justified to help them on humanitarian grounds as well as a
good neighbour country
War & Peace with
Pakistan
In the case of Pakistan, the
conflict started just after
Partition over the dispute on
Kashmir. A proxy war broke
out in 1947. The issue was then
reffered to UN.
 The Kashmir conflict did not prevent
The Kashmir conflict did not prevent
cooperation between the governments of
cooperation between the governments of India
India & Pakistan.
& Pakistan.

Both the governments worked together to

restore the women abducted during Partition
to their original families.

A long-term water dispute about was resolved

through mediation by the World Bank - The
India-Pakistan Indus Waters Treaty was signed
by Nehru and General Ayub Khan in 1960.
 INDIA - PAKISTAN WAR, 1965

April 1965 - Pakistan launched armed attacks in the Rann

of Kutch area of Gujarat.

Aug-Sep - followed by a bigger offensive in J & K.

Shastri ordered - Indian troops to launch a

counter-offensive on the Punjab border. In a fierce battle,
the Indian army reached close to Lahore.

The hostilities came to an end with the UN intervention.

Jan 1966, Tashkent Agreement - b/w Shastri & G. Ayub
Khan, brokered by Soviet.
BANGLADESH WAR, 1971
 BIGGEST INTERNAL CRISIS IN PAKISTAN

1970s Election : A split verdict

W.Pak - Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s party won
E.Pak - Awami League led by Sheikh
Mujib-ur Rahman swept through East
Pakistan.
Problems faced by people
The Pakistani rulers were not willing to
in E.Pak
accept the democratic verdict. Nor were
- Unfair treatment
they ready to accept the Awami League’s
- Imposition of Urdu
demand for a federation.
language
- Lack of democratic
1971 - Pakistani army arrested Sheikh Mujib
rights
and unleashed a reign of terror on the
people of East Pakistan.
 RESPONSE : EAST PAKISTANI PEOPLE

India extended moral and material

People started a struggle to support to the freedom struggle in
liberate ‘Bangladesh’ from Bangladesh. Pakistan accused
Pakistan. India of a conspiracy to break it up.

80 lakh refugees who fled

Support for Pakistan came from the
East Pakistan and took
US and China.
shelter in india.
In 1971 - Henry Kissinger, the adviser to
the US President Richard Nixon, made
a secret visit to China via Pakistan.
 INDIA & USSR : TREATY

In order to counter the

US-Pakistan-China axis, India signed
a 20-year Treaty of Peace and
Friendship with the Soviet Union in
August 1971.

This treaty assured India of Soviet

support if the country faced any
attack.
 INDIA - PAK WAR, 1971 : LIBERATION OF BANGLADESH

Dec. 1971 - Pakistani aircrafts attacked Within ten days the Indian army had
Punjab & Rajasthan, while the army surrounded Dhaka from three sides &
moved on the Jammu and Kashmir the Pakistani army of about 90,000
front. had to surrender.

India retaliated with an attack - With Bangladesh as a free country,

involving the air force, navy and the India declared a unilateral ceasefire.
army on both the Western and the
Eastern front. 3July 1972, Shimla Agreement b/w
Indira Gandhi & Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Welcomed and supported by the local
population, the Indian army made
rapid progress in East Pakistan.
A decisive victory in the war led to
national jubiliation

People saw this as a moment of glory and

a clear sign of India’s growing military
power.

Indira Gandhi’s popularity soared.

After the war, assembly elections in most

States took place, bringing large
majorities for the Congress party in many
states.
➔ 1999 - several points on the Indian side
of the LoC in the Mashkoh, Dras, Kaksar
and Batalik areas were occupied by
forces claiming to be Mujahideens.
➔ Suspecting involvement of the Pakistan
Army - Indian forces started reacting to
this occupation.
➔ This led to a confrontation between the
two in countries - By 26 July 1999, India
had recovered control of many of the lost
points.
➔ The Kargil conflict drew attention
worldwide - both India & Pakistan had
attained nuclear capability. However, this
conflict remained confined only to the
Kargil region.
KARGIL WAR
(May-June 1999)
In Pakistan - this conflict
has been the source of a
major controversy as it was
alleged later that the PM of
Pakistan was kept in the
dark by the Army Chief.
Soon after the conflict, the
government of Pakistan was
taken over by the Pakistan
Army led by the Army Chief,
General Parvez Musharraf.
Ques - Describe any three point
of conflict between India &
Pakistan. 2018 (6M)
Ques - Explain the circumstances
responsible for the liberation of
Bangladesh in 1971 ? 2019 (4M)
Or
India's role in Bangladesh war of
1971. 2020
INDIA’S NUCLEAR
PROGRAMME
Nov 1962, The Department of
Defence Production was established
& the Department of Defence
Supplies in Nov 1965.
➔ Another crucial development : first nuclear explosion
undertaken by India in May 1974.

➔ Nehru - had always put his faith in science & tech. for
rapidly building a modern India.

➔ A significant component of his industrialisation plans

was the nuclear programme initiated in the late 1940s
under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha.

➔ India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful

purposes.

➔ Nehru was against nuclear weapons - he pleaded with

the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear
disarmament.
 India’s refusal to sign
Non-Proliferation Treaty
Oct. 1964 - China conducted nuclear
tests.
The then 5 nuclear power - US, USSR,
UK, France, and China – tried to impose
the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
(NPT) of 1968 on the rest of the world.
India regarded NPT Discriminatory - it
legitimated the monopoly of 5 states.
May 1998 - India successfully
conducted a series of nuclear tests,
demonstrating its capacity to use
nuclear energy for military purposes.
Pakistan soon followed, thereby
increasing the vulnerability of the
region to a nuclear exchange.
OUTCOME - Sanctions were imposed
on both the countries.

The nuclear tests by India in
1974 and 1998 were criticised in
many parts of the country as
well as across the world.
Main reason within the country
- that there was a worldwide
inflation on account of Arab –
Israel war and performing
nuclear test in times of inflation
pressurised the Indian economy.
➔ India's nuclear policy has always been
peace oriented, whose clear impression is
reflected in the policy of No First Use.
➔ But in view of contemporary regional
security challenges, the present
government has made it clear that the
policy of no first use can be reviewed and
changed in consonance with India's
regional and national security.
➔ In addition, India is committed to ensuring
its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG) and opposing partisan and
unjust nuclear treaties like CTBT and
NPT.
Assertion - India was opposed to indefinite
extension of NPT in 1995 & refused to sign
NPT & CTBT both.

Reasoning - India considers these treaties to be

discriminatory & is against the monopoly of 5
nuclear weapon power. 2021 Term 1

Ans - Both A & R are correct & R is the correct

explantation of A
Choose the statement which are not true about
India’s Nuclear Programme
i India’s nuclear programme has always been
peace-oriented.
ii. India’s nuclear programme is in favour of CTBT
iii. India is committed to be a member of nuclear
supplier group
iv. India’s nuclear programme is to help the smaller
countries of Asia. 2021 Term 1

Choose the correct option :

a) i and ii
b) ii and iv
c) ii, iii and iv
d) i, ii and iii
 INDIA - ISRAEL RELATION (added topic)
➔ Nearly 45 years after independence, due to various reasons,
India's foreign policy with Israel remained largely unexplored
notwithstanding the two nations gaining independence from
the British colonial rule in 1947 and 1948 respectively.
➔ Though historical and cultural ties between India and Israel
have gone back from times immemorial, diplomatic relations
formally developed between the two after the opening of
Israeli embassy in India in 1992.
➔ Relations between the two democratic nations further
intensified with the visits of the Two Heads of Government in
2017 & 2018.
➔ The two nations have started cooperation in various fields like
cultural exchange, security and defence, counterterrorism,
space research, water and energy and agricultural
development.