Simple Guide on Foreign Policy of Non-alignment

The foreign policy of non-alignment by Nehru was dependent on the time-tested values of Indian society such as the settlement of disputes in a peaceful manner, peace, being neighbours who are good and oppose aggression, domination, violence, expansionism, power politics as well as violence. Thus, this was just to get an idea about the Indian foreign policies on non-alignment. As we move forward, we shall focus on topics such as a change in India’s foreign policy of non-alignment, the relevance of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy and other significant topics.

India’s Foreign Policy

It can be common for each sovereign to have a foreign policy similarly; India also has its own foreign policy. Foreign policy can be described as the overall interests, values and goals that a country might promote whilst interacting with different countries. We shall focus on some basic aspects of Indian foreign policy non-alignment. Firstly, it can be noted that non-alignment can be mentioned as one of the most significant features of India’s foreign policy. The goal of non-alignment can be that of maintaining National Independence in affairs related to foreign through the means of not being a part of any military alliance that is developed by the Soviet Union and the USA in the second world war’s aftermath. 

Now, to understand the change in India’s foreign policy of non-alignment one can try focusing on the phases of non-alignment. It can be observed that beginning from the year 1947 till now there have been three different phases in India’s foreign policy. The year 1947 till somewhere around the year 1962 can be called the initial phase which constituted the most idealistic phase underneath Jawaharlal Nehru. As we move forward, the second phase of India’s policy of non-alignment can be said to begin along with the defeat in the Sino-Indian border war in 1962. The era that was posted by Nehru may be described as ‘modified structuralism’. Further, going ahead towards the third phase it can be said it mainly begins as the third world war ended. However, it can be mentioned that a more pragmatic foreign policy which was based on the values of Realism and got adapted later. Thus, with this one can gain an idea about the phases of India’s foreign policy of non-alignment. 

To understand the relevance of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy it can be said that with excessive forethought the policy of non-alignment was conceptualised by Nehru along with the formalization and operationalization of the policy. The meaning of non-alignment can be explained as keeping out of power blocks or cold wars. However, when we speak of Nehru’s meaning for this term it goes beyond these words. It can be described as neither isolationism nor neutralisation instead assertion of India’s independence of outlook. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the above discussion that the concept regarding the basic aspects of Indian foreign policy non-alignment, the change in India’s foreign policy of non-alignment and the relevance of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy have been described. Non-alignment can be explained as one of the most significant characteristics of India’s foreign policy. It can be concluded that through the above sections one can gain an insight into the basic aspects of Indian foreign policy non-alignment, the change in India’s foreign policy of non-alignment and the relevance of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy.