Samacheer Class 10 Social Science - India's Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is the set of principles, goals and actions adopted by a nation to guide its relations with other states and international organizations. Main aims include safeguarding national security, promoting economic interests, ensuring peaceful relations, and protecting citizens abroad.

Panchsheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) include: respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; non-aggression; non-interference; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence. Four of these are listed above.

Key points: 1) Credible minimum deterrent — maintain only the weapons necessary to deter aggression. 2) No-first-use — India declares it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, but will retaliate if attacked. 3) Command and control — civilian-led Nuclear Command Authority oversees decisions. 4) Non-proliferation stance — supports global non-proliferation but has not signed NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon state; conducted tests in 1974 and 1998 and maintains a restraint-based posture.

Brief differences: 1) Scope — Domestic: internal; Foreign: external. 2) Objectives — Domestic: welfare, law, development; Foreign: security, diplomacy, trade. 3) Actors — Domestic: national government departments and local bodies; Foreign: foreign ministry, diplomats. 4) Tools — Domestic: legislation, programmes, taxation; Foreign: treaties, diplomacy, alliances. 5) Audience — Domestic: citizens; Foreign: other states and international bodies.

Definition and origin: Non-alignment is the policy of not formally joining any military or political bloc. It emerged during the Cold War as newly independent countries sought autonomy from both the US-led and Soviet-led blocs. Key proponents included Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia).

Principles and aims: The movement promoted peaceful coexistence, national independence, sovereignty, anti-colonialism, and the right to choose one's own path in foreign affairs. It aimed to protect member states' interests, maintain neutrality in bloc conflicts, and promote international cooperation.

Institutional form: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formalized in the early 1960s, with the Belgrade conference (1961) and earlier Bandung Conference (1955) being important milestones. NAM grew to include many developing countries (around 120 members in recent decades).

Role and relevance: During the Cold War, NAM provided a platform for Third World countries to express common concerns, resist superpower domination, and work on issues like decolonization and economic development. After the Cold War, NAM's role evolved; it continues to address development, South–South cooperation and multilateralism, though its political centrality has reduced.

India's stance: India practiced 'positive non-alignment' — not equidistantity but active engagement with all while preserving strategic autonomy. Non-alignment allowed India to pursue independent policies in global forums and build relations across blocs.

Criticism and legacy: Critics say NAM sometimes lacked coherence and effectiveness; supporters argue it provided an essential voice for newly independent nations. Its legacy is continued emphasis on sovereignty, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among developing countries.

Concise explanation: 1. Geography — India's size, coastline, neighbourhood shape priorities (neighbourhood policy, maritime security). 2. Historical experience — anti-colonial legacy shaped emphasis on sovereignty and non-alignment. 3. Security concerns — Pakistan, China, cross-border terrorism influence defence and diplomacy. 4. Economic needs — trade, energy security, access to markets drive partnerships. 5. Political leadership and ideology — principles like non-alignment and constructive engagement influence choices. 6. Domestic priorities — poverty reduction and development often limit resources for foreign ventures. 7. Nuclear status — shapes deterrence posture and international negotiating stance. 8. Global politics — changing power balances (US, China, Russia) affect alignment choices. 9. Diaspora and cultural ties — soft power and remittances shape relations.

Retain: 1. Strategic autonomy/non-alignment — allows India to pursue national interests without being tied to blocs. 2. Peaceful coexistence/diplomacy — promotes stable relations and trade. Change: 1. Proactive neighbourhood policy — prioritise connectivity, economic integration and conflict resolution in South Asia to reduce instability. 2. Clearer China and maritime policy — stronger deterrence posture, maritime domain awareness, and targeted partnerships to protect trade routes and sovereignty.