Did the foreign policy during the era of Jawaharlal Nehru catered to need of the country, comment?

IAS Main Exam: Paper I

Model Question

Did the foreign policy during the era of Jawaharlal Nehru catered to need of the country, comment?

Since the ‘Nehruvian era’ was the inception of democratic rule in independent India, one has no doubt in his contribution to the foreign policy. Jawaharlal Nehru as the first prime minister of independent India ‘sailed through’ hard time in forging Indian identity  in the realm of foreign policy.

The Nehruvian era comprising 1947-64 saw emergence and initiation of the foreign policy. The following are the  ‘Cardinal’ principles of India’s foreign policy during  his time.

        I.            ‘Pacifism’, this concept of Nehru aided growth of Non-Alignment Movement – NAM

      II.            ‘Five principles of peaceful co-existance’ or ‘Panchsheel’ towards china.

    III.            Nuclear disarmament placard during the time of cold war.

    IV.            Kashmir issue as national integrity and a natural conflict with Pakistan

Besides the above  ‘Cardinal’ principles of foreign policy, the following contribution of India made its voice heard at the international stage.

a)      During the Korean war crisis in 1955-56 India strongly disallowed use of nuclear weapons. And from then on it propagated  ‘De-nuclearisation’.

b)      When the  ‘Suez canal’ crisis came up India stood with the Egypt in enunciating the integrity of Egypt. India along with United States strongly condemned the England, France and Israel led aggression. Nehru especially remarked this invasion as a ‘Naked agression’.

c)       The Indo-china region was a big theatre of cold war crisis, India strongly voiced against United states intervention to have a base in the region.

d)      India successfully demonstrated as a peace loving country when it magnificently stopped civil war in Congo. India restored peace in the African country.

Relations with Pakistan: the eventual incident of partition left India with unsettled conflict. The most important one was Kashmir issue. When the Pakistan army intruded in Kashmir in 1948 India strongly condemned and went to UN for ceasefire. At the same time India expressed its willingness to conduct plebiscite. When the constitutional assembly strongly supported Kashmir issue, after having violation by Pakistan at the Kashmir ceasefire, India declined to conduct plebiscite. Thus it ensured Kashmir as an integral part of India.

Relations with China:  The relations with China was a grim reminder to India on its strength in general and military in particular. If at all there was a major blow to India in handling foreign policy it was its defeat in 1961 war with China.

It proved to be a big blow to Nehru as he was criticized much for unpreparedness of military and not concentrating on defense.

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Author:

Kannan Periyanayagam

Note: Any clarification, addition or correction is welcome. You may comment on the blog itself or mail to kannajee2000@gmail.com