- Every country in the world develops a foreign policy to satisfy its own hopes and aspirations and the implementation of this foreign policy takes into account certain types of principles.
- As per Article 51 of the guiding principles of the Indian Constitution, the Indian State promotes international peace and security, maintains just and respectful relations between nations, and the obligations of the organized peoples in dealing with each other under international law and treaty.
- The aim is to increase respect for the party and to try to resolve international disputes through arbitration.
- In short, India's growing foreign policy includes values of Indian culture such as non-violence, co-operation, peace and welfare, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam instead of non-violence.
- Fundamental Principles of India's Foreign Policy Formulation:
1. Non-alignmentism.
2. Opposition to imperialism and colonialism.
3. Opposition to racism.
4. Friendly relations with the countries of the world.
5. Support of the United Nations and international law.
6. Peaceful resolution of disputes and world peace.
7. Principles of Panchsheel.
8. Insistence on instrument purification.
1. Non-alignment:
- After the end of World War II, the whole world was divided into two camps.
- In one group the U.S.A. And the bipolar world order came into being, those allies of Western Europe, and in another group, the Soviet Union and the nations of Eastern Europe.
- The superpower had nuclear weapons.
- The real war between the two superpowers was after destruction.
- As a result the superpowers avoided direct military confrontation with each other.
- Even so, the U.S.A. And the intense competition for ideology and power between the Soviet Union lasted from 1947 to 1990 in what is known as the Cold War.
- America wanted to propagate capitalism and a market-based economy to the world.
- Soviet Russia wanted to propagate communism and the model of communist economic development in the world.
- USA and the Soviet Union wanted to join both Third World countries and their respective groups.
- The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru adopted a "policy of non-alignment" without joining either group.
- The policy of non-alignment was not a policy of neutrality.
- Along with this, the non-aligned movement was supported by many other countries.
- Despite the end of the Cold War, many thinkers believe that "non-alignment" is still relevant today.
2. Opposition to imperialism and colonialism:
- India opposes imperialism and colonialism.
- India was suffering the consequences of British imperialism.
- Therefore, India has adopted a policy of violence, repression and anti-exploitation.
- India also raised its voice against colonialism and imperialism during the national liberation movement.
- We believe in the freedom of nations by freeing them from the shackles of slavery.
- India has always sympathized with the nations that have been the victims of imperialism and has provided political and moral support as well as assistance to the nations seeking independence.
- An example is the role India has played in the independence movements of Indonesia and Bangladesh.
3. Opposition to apartheid policy and racism:
- India believes in democratic values like equality, freedom and justice.
- Thus opposing the policy of apartheid.
- Human beings cannot be wronged on the basis of narrow matters like caste, race, color etc.
- Gandhi lived in South Africa and fought against apartheid and succeeded in eliminating black and white differences.
- India protested against the human rights violations committed by the South African government.
- At the international level, India has always raised its voice to adopt a humanitarian approach.
4. Friendly relations with the countries of the world:
- India has tried to build friendly relations with all the nations of the world except under the influence of world power groups.
- During the Cold War, attempts were made to cultivate friendship with all nations by staying away from power groups.
- He also sought to aid development by building unconditional relations with the United States and the Soviet Union.
- We have sought to strengthen our ties with all nations of the world, large and small, and contribute to peace and prosperity.
- It has also had considerable success.
- India has always had a special fondness for the nations of Asia.
- Overall relations with our neighboring nation have remained positive despite problems over the border and some other matters.
- India has taken the initiative for mutual development and cooperation with the nations of South Asia.
- India's economic growth has been boosted by friendly relations with the nations of the world.
- At the same time, defense and security interests are at stake.
5. Support of the United Nations and international law:
- India has witnessed the dire consequences of the First and Second World Wars.
- India has made untiring efforts to maintain peace and security in the world.
- Taking an interest in the founding of UNO has already been a founding member and staunch supporter.
- India has been a staunch supporter of UN peacekeeping operations in the world and has taken an active interest in resolving international disputes.
- India respects international law and supports its implementation.
- India has strengthened its claim for permanent membership in the Security Council.
- U.N. India has also co-operated in its efforts on economic, social, health, human rights, human development, environment, etc.
6. Peaceful Dispute Resolution and World Peace:
- India believes in resolving issues between nations in a democratic and peaceful manner.
- India also achieved independence by fighting the freedom struggle in a non-violent way.
- The influence of Gandhiji's principles of truth and non-violence can also be seen in India's foreign policy.
- Conflicts between states can be resolved through mutual negotiations without resorting to war.
- India believes clearly.
- For development and prosperity, peace in the world is essential.
- Wars must be fought to maintain lasting world peace.
- India has tried to resolve the Kashmir issue through the UN and through talks without resorting to war.
- India has also exercised restraint over frequent cross-border incursions by Pakistan.
7. Principles of Panchsheel:
- Panchsheel's ideals have had an impact on India's foreign policy. India has emphasized peace, not war.
- The philosophy introduced by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the rules of international practice is known as the principles of Panchsheel.
- These five principles are as follows.
1. Respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each other's nations.
2. Non-aggression.
3. Not to interfere in the internal affairs of another state.
4. Mutual benefits and similarities.
5. Peaceful coexistence.
The Panchsheel principles were first adopted in 1954 by the Prime Minister of India, Nehru, and the Prime Minister of China, Chou En-lai.
- This was followed by the 1955 Summit of the States of Asia and Africa on the Indonesian side.
- Which is known as Badung Parishad.
- It was attended by 29 states.
- The principles of Panchsheel were also accepted in this Badung Parishad.
8. Insistence on instrument purification:
- Gandhiji was very insistent on instrument purification.
- Therefore, the impact of Gandhian thought is also seen on India's foreign policy.
- India does not want to achieve its foreign policy goals through any kind of improper means, but wants to achieve its goals democratically.
- India does not want to dominate its own development, security or international politics through non-democratic means.
- India believes that proper healing can only be achieved through pure means.