12th Political Science Notes : Chapter 4 India’s Foreign Policy

Chapter 4: India’s Foreign Policy notes and Q&A:

---

Chapter-4: India’s Foreign Policy

Summary:

India’s foreign policy after independence was shaped under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, based on peace, coexistence, and non-alignment. Its goals were to safeguard national interests, promote global peace, and support the independence of colonized nations. Enrichment: Nehru called it “India’s voice on the global stage.”

Key Points:

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India distanced itself from USA and USSR blocs during the Cold War. The 1955 Bandung Conference and the 1961 founding of NAM (Nehru, Nasser, Tito) strengthened it. Interesting: Today, NAM has 120+ members.
• Panchsheel Principles: In the 1954 India-China agreement, five principles were established: (1) territorial integrity, (2) non-aggression, (3) non-interference in internal affairs, (4) equality and cooperation, (5) peaceful coexistence. Enrichment: Inspired by the UN Charter.
• Relations with China: India recognized Communist China in 1950, but the 1962 war (Aksai Chin, NEFA) worsened relations. Interesting: The slogan “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” failed.
• Tensions with Pakistan: The 1947 Partition caused the Kashmir dispute, leading to the 1947–48 war and UN mediation. Enrichment: LoC tensions remain today.
• Assistance and Cooperation: India supported African and Asian countries with technical aid. ITEC (1964) trained developing nations. Interesting: India has aided 150+ countries.
• Nuclear Policy: India stressed peaceful use of nuclear energy. Pokhran-I in 1974 (“Smiling Buddha”) and Pokhran-II in 1998 made India a nuclear power. Enrichment: India has not signed CTBT.
• UN and Commonwealth: India was a founding UN member (1945) and stayed in the Commonwealth, though it distanced itself from colonial legacy.

---

Answer the following in one complete sentence:

1 Mark

1. When was the Non-Aligned Movement founded?
   Ans: The Non-Aligned Movement was founded in 1961.

2. When was the Panchsheel Agreement implemented?
   Ans: The Panchsheel Agreement was implemented in 1954 in the India-China treaty.

3. When did India recognize Communist China?
   Ans: India recognized Communist China in 1950.

4. When was the first war between India and Pakistan?
   Ans: The first war between India and Pakistan was in 1947-48.

5. When did India conduct its first nuclear test?
   Ans: India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974.

6. When did India adopt its nuclear policy?
   Ans: India adopted its nuclear policy in 1968 by rejecting the NPT.

7. What is the full form of CTBT?
   Ans: The full form of CTBT is Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

8. When did India participate in the Bandung Conference?
   Ans: India participated in the Bandung Conference in 1955.

9. What is the full form of ITEC?
   Ans: The full form of ITEC is Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation.

10. When did India participate in the founding of the UN?
    Ans: India participated in the founding of the UN in 1945.

11. When was the India-China war?
    Ans: The India-China war was in 1962.

12. When was Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan India’s representative at the UN?
    Ans: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was India’s UN representative from 1946–52.

13. What is the full form of NAM?
    Ans: The full form of NAM is Non-Aligned Movement.

14. When was Pokhran-II conducted?
    Ans: Pokhran-II was conducted in 1998.

15. When was the Tashkent Agreement signed between India and Pakistan?
    Ans: The Tashkent Agreement was signed in 1966.

---

Choose the correct option:

1 Mark

1. The Panchsheel Agreement was signed between _______.
   (A) India and Nepal (B) India and Sri Lanka (C) India and China (D) India and Bhutan
   Answer: (C) India and China. Interesting: 1954 Tibet trade agreement.

2. When did Pokhran-II nuclear tests happen?
   (A) 1974 (B) 1998 (C) 1962 (D) 1984
   Answer: (B) 1998. Enrichment: Operation Shakti.

3. Which of the following was NOT a founder of the NAM?
   (A) Nehru (B) Tito (C) Nasser (D) Mao
   Answer: (D) Mao. Interesting: Mao sided with USSR.

4. India participated in the Commonwealth Conference in _______.
   (A) 1947 (B) 1949 (C) 1950 (D) 1955
   Answer: (B) 1949. Enrichment: India became a republic yet stayed in.

5. After the India-Pakistan war, which agreement was signed?
   (A) Shimla Agreement (B) Tashkent Agreement (C) Delhi Agreement (D) Lahore Agreement
   Answer: (B) Tashkent Agreement (1966). Interesting: Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent.

6. India recognized _______.
   (A) Taiwan (B) Tibet (C) Communist China (D) Hong Kong
   Answer: (C) Communist China. Enrichment: In 1950, India was the first non-Communist country to do so.

7. When was ITEC established?
   (A) 1962 (B) 1964 (C) 1966 (D) 1968
   Answer: (B) 1964. Interesting: Provided training to 150+ countries.

---

Answer the following in about 40 words:

2 Marks

1. What is Non-Alignment?
   Ans: Non-Alignment is India’s policy of staying independent during the Cold War, keeping distance from USA and USSR military blocs. (24 words)

2. What is the Panchsheel Agreement?
   Ans: Panchsheel (1954 India-China agreement) included five principles: territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence. (22 words)

3. What is India’s nuclear policy?
   Ans: India’s nuclear policy emphasizes peaceful use, No-First-Use, and minimum credible deterrence, as seen in Pokhran 1974 and 1998. (20 words)

4. What were the causes of the India-China war?
   Ans: The 1962 war was caused by China’s occupation of Aksai Chin, McMahon Line dispute, and India’s Tibet policy. (18 words)

5. What were the causes of the India-Pakistan war?
   Ans: The 1947-48 war was caused by Pakistan’s infiltration into Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh’s accession to India. (16 words)

6. What was the Tashkent Agreement?
   Ans: The Tashkent Agreement (1966) was signed after the 1965 India-Pakistan war to restore peace and status quo. (18 words)

7. What was the Shimla Agreement?
   Ans: The Shimla Agreement (1972) between India and Pakistan after the 1971 war established the LoC and bilateral dialogue. (20 words)

8. What is ITEC?
   Ans: ITEC, launched in 1964, is India’s program providing technical and economic training to developing countries. (18 words)

9. What is the Commonwealth?
   Ans: The Commonwealth is an organization of former British colonies. India joined in 1949 for cooperation and development. (18 words)

10. What was India’s role in the UN?
    Ans: India, a UN founder (1945), contributed to peacekeeping, development, and decolonization. (16 words)

---

Map-based Questions:

1 Mark

1. Region where India-Pakistan war took place.
   Ans: Jammu & Kashmir. Interesting: 1947–48 created the LoC.

2. Region where India-China war took place.
   Ans: Aksai Chin and NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh). Enrichment: 1962 war.

3. Region where India’s first nuclear test took place.
   Ans: Rajasthan (Pokhran). Interesting: “Smiling Buddha” 1974.

4. Region disputed between India and Pakistan.
   Ans: Jammu & Kashmir. Enrichment: Discussed in UN since 1948.

5. Region where Bandung Conference was held.
   Ans: Indonesia (Bandung). Interesting: 1955, attended by 29 countries.

6. Region where the Tashkent Agreement was signed.
   Ans: Uzbekistan (Tashkent). Enrichment: 1966, USSR mediated.

7. Region where Shimla Agreement was signed.
   Ans: Himachal Pradesh (Shimla). Interesting: 1972 Indira-Bhutto meeting.

---

Answer the following (within 120 words):

3/4 Marks

1. Discuss the principles of India’s foreign policy.
   Ans: Principles:
   (A) Non-Alignment: Distance from USA-USSR blocs, Bandung 1955, NAM 1961.
   (B) Panchsheel: 1954 India-China peace and coexistence.
   (C) Peace: UN contributions, peace missions.
   (D) Development cooperation: ITEC helped 150+ nations.
   Interesting: Nehru said, “Peace is the key to development.” Result: India gained respect globally, though the China war was a lesson. (68 words)

2. Discuss the major features of India’s nuclear policy.
   Ans: Features:

1. Peaceful use: energy and research focus.
2. No-First-Use: defensive stance.
3. Minimum deterrence: credible security.
4. Independence: rejected NPT, CTBT.
   Interesting: Pokhran-I (1974) and Pokhran-II (1998) made India a nuclear power. Result: Global pressure, but stronger defense. (48 words)

3. Discuss the causes of tension between India and Pakistan.
   Ans: Causes:

1. Kashmir dispute: 1947 accession, 1947-48 war, LoC.
2. Communalism: Partition legacy.
3. Wars: 1965, 1971, Kargil 1999.
4. Terrorism: Pakistan-sponsored attacks.
   Interesting: Shimla Agreement (1972) emphasized bilateral talks. (38 words)

4. Discuss the causes of tension between India and China.
   Ans: Causes:

1. Border disputes: Aksai Chin, McMahon Line.
2. 1962 war: China’s aggression, NEFA defeat.
3. Tibet: India supported the Dalai Lama.
4. Rivalry: Asian influence.
   Interesting: 2020 Galwan clash worsened tensions. (38 words)

5. Discuss the importance of the Panchsheel Principles.
   Ans: Importance:

1. Peace: India-China coexistence, global model.
2. UN impact: Principles in UN Charter.
3. NAM base: Unity of developing nations.
   Negative: 1962 war broke trust.
   Interesting: Panchsheel still guides diplomacy. (38 words)

6. Discuss the founding and importance of NAM.
   Ans: Founding: NAM began in 1961 (Belgrade) by Nehru, Nasser, Tito, inspired by Bandung 1955. Importance:

1. Independent foreign policy.
2. Support for decolonization.
3. Balance in Cold War.
   Interesting: 120+ members today, though influence declined after Cold War. (38 words)

7. Discuss the role of the UN in India’s foreign policy.
   Ans: Role:

1. Founding member: India in UN since 1945.
2. Peace: 70+ missions with Indian troops.
3. Development: Contributions to SDGs.
4. Reform: India demands a permanent UNSC seat.
   Interesting: India held a non-permanent seat in 2021–22. (38 words)

8. Discuss the role of the Commonwealth in India’s foreign policy.
   Ans: Role:

1. Cooperation: India joined in 1949, collaborated in education, sports.
2. Development: Technical aid like ITEC.
3. Diplomacy: Platform for global voice.
   Negative: Colonial legacy remains.
   Interesting: India hosted the CWG in 2010. (32 words)

---