Foreign policy refers to the interest, objectives, and principles that a country promotes when interacting with foreign countries. After independence, India was planning to develop by introducing foreign policy principles. The policy in India refers to various objectives, interests and principles to promote the country on a global level. The aim of foreign policy, however, keeps on changing with time.

Determinants of Foreign Policy 

Size of the State Territory

• A state’s size, which comprises both human and non-human resources, influences its foreign policy
• Nations with many human and non-human resources are usually more powerful and have a better chance of becoming influential entities in the global community

Geographical Factors

• The geography of a country is one of the most constant and steady aspects of its foreign policy
• Key geographical factors are location, land topography, climate, and fertility

National Interests

• Every country conducts its foreign policy in pursuit of its national interests. Some national interests have remained constant over time, while others have changed. Everything is dependent on a country’s level of development
• In general, every country strives to improve its economic and social development to ensure the prosperity of its population. Every country is at a different stage of development, so policies must be adjusted accordingly
• India relies heavily on local consumption and international investment to meet its development goals. India’s foreign policy aligns with these development goals as well

Principles of Indian Foreign Policy

• Preservation of India’s national interest, disarmament, the achievement of world peace, and independence for Afro-Asian nations have been important determinants of Indian foreign policy
• Primary objectives of India’s foreign policy after independence were accomplished by principles like Panchsheel, anti-colonialism, non-alignment, anti-racism principles in the UN, and anti-imperialism

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issued the Five Principles for Peaceful Co-existence, or Panchsheel, in 1954, which outlined the following:

• Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
• Non-aggression pact
• Mutual non-interference in one another’s internal affairs
• Mutual benefit and equality
• Peaceful coexistence

Non-Alignment

Non-alignment was a fluid idea that meant not committing to any military alliance and instead adopting an independent stance on foreign affairs based on the facts of the situation. This approach attracted many developing nations because it allowed them to defend their sovereignty while maintaining their freedom during the Cold War.

India was instrumental in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). In 1947, Nehru was the driving force behind the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi. In 1955, a conference of 29 Asian and African countries convened in Bandung in Indonesia. This was the first gathering of its kind, with participants vowing to collaborate for colonial freedom, peace, cultural, economic and political collaboration.

• Independent India pursued the objective of a peaceful world through its foreign policy and advocated non-alignment to achieve this
• India reduced Cold War tensions by contributing human resources and personnel to the UN’s peacekeeping operations
• Non-Alignment was a delicate balancing act
• India was able to take an independent position on many international issues and could receive assistance and aid from both the blocs

International Environment Challenges for India

• Foreign policy operates in an international context, and it must constantly adjust to the changing external environment. For example, the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the dissolution of the socialist bloc resulted in significant changes in practically every country’s foreign policy
• The issue of the New International Economic Order, the problem of international resource distribution, the energy crisis, the protection of human rights, the issue of nuclear proliferation, the elimination of international terrorism, and other issues have all played major roles in India’s and other developing countries’ foreign policy decisions

Conclusion

There are certain principles of Indian foreign policy. The primary objectives of India’s foreign policy post-independence can be accomplished through principles like Panchsheel, anti-colonialism, non-alignment, anti-racism principles in the UN, and anti-imperialism. Expanding these principles would be beneficial for the entire world. Some of the basic features of India’s foreign policy, such as non-alignment, remain relevant. India contributed to the UN’s efforts for peace and disarmament and its peacekeeping operations.