7 Basic Principles of Indian Foreign Policy

Hey readers. Today’s post is about the 7 Principles of Indian Foreign Policy. So, without wasting time, let us jump in.

India is a sovereign country, and every sovereign country has its own foreign policy. India, too, has one.

But What is Foreign Policy?

Contents hide

1 But What is Foreign Policy?

2 Foreign Policy of India

3 The Constitutional Principle

Foreign policy is the 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. It is dynamic. Furthermore, the dimensions of foreign policy keep on changing according to changing international conditions.

Moreover, history, culture, geography and economy of one country shape its foreign policy.

Foreign Policy of India

Talking about India, our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, is the architect of the country’s foreign policy. Since he was not only the Prime Minister but also foreign minister for over 17 years which were the formative years of independent India.

In the table given below, I have enumerated certain objectives and principles of Indian foreign policy.

Objectives of IFP	Principles of IFP
Preservation of national interest Achievement of world peace disarmament independence	Panchsheel non- alignment anti-colonialism anti-imperialism anti-racism Foreign Aid

The primary purpose of any countries foreign policy is to promote its national interest- to ensure its security, safeguard its sovereignty, contribute to its growth and prosperity and generally enhance its stature, influence and role in the comity of nations. A country’s foreign policy should also be able to serve the broader purpose of promoting peace disarmament and development and of establishing a stable, fair and equitable global order- Muchkund Dubey

Now let us dig deep and learn more about the principles of Indian Foreign Policy.

So here are the 6 Principles of India’s Foreign Policy-

The Constitutional Principle

Article 51 of the Indian Constitution Lays down some Directive Principles of State Policy on Promotion of International Peace and Security. The state shall endeavour to-

Promote international peace and security.
Maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
Foster respect for international law and Treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another,
Encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration

Panchsheel

Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, were first formally iterated in the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India signed on April 29, 1954, which stated, in its preamble, that the two Governments “have resolved to enter into the present Agreement based on the following principles: –

Respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
Mutual non-aggression,
Mutual non-interference,
Equality and mutual benefit, and
Peaceful co-existence.

Non Alignment

Non-alignment has been an important feature of India’s foreign policy. The aim of Non-alignment was to maintain national independence in foreign affairs.

Non-alignment was neither neutrality nor non-involvement nor isolationism. It was a dynamic concept. Furthermore, Non-Alignment gained popularity in the developing countries.

Consequently, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world.

Anti Colonialism

India has always opposed colonialism and racism. When injustice happened, India raised voice against it, for instance-

in favour of Indonesia’s fight fighting the Dutch colonialism in 1947,
against South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia

Consequently, India was a staunch supporter of the decolonisation process. These are testimonials to the fact that India opposed colonialism.

Afro Asian Unity

India established good relations with other newly independent states in Asia and Africa throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Notably, Nehru was an ardent advocate of Asian Unity. As a result, under his leadership, India convened the Asian relations conference in March 1947.

As stated earlier, India also made honest efforts for the early realisation of the freedom of Indonesia from the Dutch colonial rule. Also, India convened an international conference in 1949 to support the freedom struggle of Indonesia.

Furthermore, the Asian conference held in the Indonesian city of Bandung in 1955, commonly known as the Bandung conference, marked India’s engagement with the newly independent Asian and African Nations. Later, the Bandung conference led to the establishment of the NAM.

Anti Racism

India firmly believes in the equality of all human beings. Her policy is aimed at opposition to all forms of racial discrimination.

India firmly opposed the infamous apartheid policy in South Africa. Not only did India cut off diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1949, but it also used her influence in the application of comprehensive sanctions (later) against the white minority racist Regime of South Africa.

Foreign Economic Aid

After independence, India understood well the importance of economic development. Also, it knew the limitations of herself. India was lacking funds, technical know-how and machinery.

By adopting the NAM policy, India killed two birds with one stone. Amazingly, India took the best of both worlds. Moreover, India approached the USSR and USA for help, and it went well for India. The USSR helped India with technology. Also, the USA came up with grains in 1965 to address amines.

So these were some of the basic principles of Indian foreign policy. If you have any doubts, ask me in the comment section below or DM on Instagram.

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