History of Indian foreign relations facts for kids
The History of Indian foreign policy is about how modern India has handled its relationships with other countries since it became independent. This includes the time when it was the Dominion of India (from 1947 to 1950) and later the Republic of India (from 1950 onwards). Foreign policy means how a country interacts with other countries around the world.
Contents
Nehru's Foreign Policy: 1947–1966
Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964. He was also the Minister of External Affairs, which meant he was in charge of India's foreign policy. He made all the big decisions about how India would deal with other nations.
Nehru focused on five main areas:
- Dealing with Pakistan: After India became independent in 1947, it was divided into two countries: India and Pakistan. This division was very violent. India and Pakistan had many disagreements, especially over their borders. This led to wars in 1947-1948 and again in 1965.
- Relations with China: China was another important neighbor to the north. India recognized the People's Republic of China in 1950. But border arguments led to a war between India and China in 1962.
- Non-Alignment: During the Cold War, the world was divided into two big groups. One group was led by the United States, and the other by the Soviet Union. Nehru wanted India to stay neutral and not join either side. He helped create the Non-Aligned Movement. This group included many developing countries that wanted to be independent. Nehru believed that staying out of the Cold War would help India focus on its own growth.
- The Kashmir Conflict: The region of Kashmir was a big problem for Nehru. Both India and Pakistan claimed all of Kashmir. They fought several wars over it. The United Nations tried to help, but a solution was not found. Nehru insisted that Indian troops would stay in Kashmir.
- Economic Development: India also needed to grow its economy. This meant getting help and money from other countries. India looked for aid from both Western and Eastern countries. But this help often came with conditions about which side India should support. Nehru wanted India to be strong and self-sufficient.
Nehru decided that India should remain a member of the British Commonwealth. This was a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire. Many people in India did not trust Britain. But Nehru saw it as a way to have a voice for developing countries. It also helped balance India's need for aid from America.
In 1949, Nehru visited the United States and Canada. The US government was willing to help India a lot. But Nehru did not want to seem like he was begging for help. He wanted India to be strong on its own.
In 1950, the Korean War started. Nehru changed India's approach. India voted against North Korea's invasion. But then India said the real solution was to let Communist China join the United Nations. This made the Soviet Union and China happy, but the US was upset.
Nehru also developed five principles for India's foreign policy. They were called the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, or Panchsheel:
- Living together peacefully.
- Respecting other countries' borders and independence.
- Not attacking other countries.
- Not interfering in other countries' internal matters.
- Treating all countries as equals.
Indira Gandhi's Foreign Policy: 1966–1984
Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister after Nehru. Her foreign policy focused on keeping India safe. She worked to fight against militants abroad and make India's borders stronger. She once said that a country's policy is shaped by its location, its neighbors, and its history.
In 1971, there was a big conflict in Pakistan. East Pakistan wanted to become independent as Bangladesh. The Pakistani army used violence, and millions of refugees came into India. In December 1971, Indira Gandhi sent Indian troops to help Bangladesh. India won the war against Pakistan. This made India the most powerful country in South Asia.
Before the war, India signed a treaty with the Soviet Union. It promised mutual help if there was a war. The United States supported Pakistan during this time. US President Richard Nixon did not like Gandhi. After the war, India became much closer to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union became India's biggest trading partner and supplier of weapons.
Foreign Policy Since 1989
After the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, the Cold War ended. India no longer had to worry about its non-aligned position. Since then, India has made several important foreign policy decisions. These include a peace agreement with China in 1993. India also signed a nuclear agreement with the United States in 2005. India also announced a policy of No first use of nuclear weapons. This means India will not use nuclear weapons first in a conflict.
India and Pakistan
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been difficult and often unfriendly. This is mainly because of the violent division of British India in 1947. This division led to the Kashmir conflict and many wars between the two countries. Because of this, their relationship has been full of tension and suspicion.
After 1947, India became a country with a majority of Hindus. Pakistan became a country with a majority of Muslims. Both countries established diplomatic relations. But the division and arguments over land caused many problems. Since independence, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars. They have also had many smaller military clashes. The Kashmir conflict is the main reason for most of these fights.
There have been many attempts to make the relationship better. Leaders have met at summits like Shimla, Agra, and Lahore. But these efforts have often been stopped by terrorist attacks. For example, the 2008 Mumbai attacks caused a lot of damage to peace talks.
In recent years, relations have remained cold. After an attack in Kashmir in 2019, India changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This caused more tension. Pakistan lowered its diplomatic ties and stopped trade with India.
Non-Aligned Movement
Nehru was a key leader of the Non-Aligned Movement. This was a very large group of countries that did not want to take sides in the Cold War. Even after the Soviet Union collapsed, some people believe the movement is still important. It helps countries work together without being part of big power blocs.
India and Russia
India and the Soviet Union had a very close relationship for a long time. This changed when the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991. But by the mid-1990s, a new partnership began with Russia. In the 21st century, Russia and India work together on many things. These include trade, selling weapons, and sharing technology. For example, Russia helped India build the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.
India and the United States
The relationship between India and the United States has changed over time. Here are some main points:
- Cold War Era: During the Cold War, India stayed non-aligned. This made the US nervous. The US thought India was too close to the Soviet Union. India was also careful about American plans in the region.
- Nuclear Issues: In the 1970s, India tested a nuclear weapon. This led to the US putting restrictions on India. But in the early 2000s, the two countries signed a big agreement on nuclear energy. This brought India closer to international rules about nuclear weapons.
- Economic Ties: Since the 1990s, trade and business between India and the US have grown a lot. They are important trading partners. American companies also invest a lot of money in India.
- Fighting Terrorism: After the September 11 attacks in the US, both countries started working closely to fight terrorism. They share information and do joint military exercises.
- Strategic Partnership: In recent years, India and the US have tried to make their partnership stronger. They work together more on defense and security. They also try to strengthen the Indo-Pacific region.
Overall, the relationship between India and the US has been complicated. But recently, both countries have seen how important their partnership is. They are working to build closer ties.
India and China
India and China have had cultural and economic ties for a very long time. The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that helped connect them. After India became independent in 1947, it recognized the new Communist government of China in 1950.
In the 1950s, China was close to the Soviet Union. India was a leader of the non-aligned movement. After 1960, China and the Soviet Union competed for influence in India. India's government preferred the Soviet Union for military supplies. Pakistan, however, worked with China.
China has been India's largest trading partner for many years. But arguments over borders and economic issues have caused problems. This has led to conflicts and military standoffs along their long border. The Sino-Indian War of 1962 was the most serious conflict. Smaller tensions continue today. Both countries have built military bases along the border. India is also worried about China's relationship with Pakistan.
China is concerned about India's military actions in the South China Sea. China is also worried about India hosting Tibetan exiles who are against China. The South Asian region has become a place where China and India compete for influence.
See also
- Foreign relations of India
- Minister of External Affairs (India)
- Non-Aligned Movement
