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International Journal Of Law And Criminology
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ABSTRACT
This article analyzes the main goals and principles of India's foreign policy. It also discusses in detail the interests,
direction and objectives that form the basis of India's foreign policy while moving through the policy of international
relations.
KEYWORDS
Foreign policy, international peace and security, non-alignment, disarmament policy
INTRODUCTION
India's foreign policy is aimed at maintaining
international peace and security, opposing imperialism
and apartheid policies, resolving international disputes
by peaceful and political means and promoting
peaceful coexistence, non-alignment and maintaining
the unity and solidarity of the third world. Important
goals of India's foreign policy include preserving
national
interests,
achieving
world
peace,
disarmament, and supporting the independence of
Afro-Asian nations.
Research Article
OVERVIEW, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES OF INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Submission Date:
September 08, 2022,
Accepted Date:
September 15, 2022,
Published Date:
September 24, 2022
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijlc/Volume02Issue09-01
Rano Tuychiyeva Almamatovna,
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences, Uzbekistan state university of world languages, Department of
Social Studies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ijlc
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 02 Issue 09-2022
2
International Journal Of Law And Criminology
(ISSN
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2771-2214)
VOLUME
02
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09
Pages:
01-07
SJIF
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(2021:
5.
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(2022:
5.
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OCLC
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5.489
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
MAIN PART
The main objectives that guide India's foreign policy
can be seen in detail below.
1.
To preserve the territorial integrity and
independence of India's foreign policy:
•
Protecting territorial integrity and national
borders from foreign aggression is one of the
main interests of the nation.
•
India gained independence from foreign rule
with difficulty after a long time. Thus, it is
natural that he pays due attention to the
independence of foreign policy.
•
India's efforts to strengthen Afro-Asian
solidarity, uphold the principles of non-
interference in the internal affairs of other
nations and finally adopt a policy of non-
alignment should be seen in this context.
•
To maintain the country's growth trajectory,
India is working with its foreign partners
through foreign direct investment, financial
assistance and "Make in India", "Skills India",
"Smart Cities", infrastructure development, is
promoting "Digital India", "Clean India" and
many other initiatives. It can be noted that in
recent years, India has been integrating
economic diplomacy with political diplomacy in
its foreign policy.
•
India has the largest diaspora in the world,
consisting of about 20 million non-resident
Indians and persons of Hindu origin spread
across the globe. Therefore, attracting them
and getting the maximum benefit from their
stay abroad, while protecting their interests as
much as possible, is one of the main goals.
In summary, the four important objectives of India's
foreign policy are:
•
Protecting India from conventional and non-
conventional threats;
•
Creating an enabling environment for India's
inclusive growth, so that the benefits of this
growth reach the poorest sections of the
country;
•
Ensuring that India's views are heard on global
platforms and that India is able to influence world
opinion on global issues such as terrorism,
climate change, disarmament, reforming global
governance institutions;
•
Engaging and protecting the Indian diaspora.
2.
Strengthening international peace and security:
•
India as a newly independent and developing
country
has
rightly
understood
the
interdependence of international peace and
development.
•
His policy emphasis on disarmament and away
from military alliances is aimed at promoting
global peace.
3. Economic development of India:
•
Rapid development of the country was the main
demand of India at the time of independence.
•
It was also demanded to strengthen democracy
and freedom in the country.
•
In order to acquire financial resources and
technology from both blocs and focus its energy
on development, India abandoned the power
bloc policy that was a hallmark of Cold War
international politics.
•
End colonialism and racial discrimination.
•
To protect the interests of Indian people abroad.
•
According to the official statement of the
Ministry of External Affairs (2010), India's foreign
policy seeks to protect its own interests.
Volume 02 Issue 09-2022
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VOLUME
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Publisher:
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•
Its main objective is to foster and sustain a
peaceful and stable external environment that
can rapidly address the internal challenges of
inclusive economic development and poverty
alleviation.
•
Thus, India strives for peace and strives for good
neighborly relations in its vast region. India's
foreign policy also recognizes that issues such as
climate change, energy and food security are
critical to India's transformation. Because these
problems are global in nature, they require global
solutions.
Keeping in mind the main objectives of India's foreign
policy, it has adopted and implemented certain
principles for their implementation. The principles of
India's foreign policy and its objectives are closely
related.
The principles have stood the test of time and are
embedded in the practice of international law and
Indian foreign policy. The main principles governing
India's foreign policy are:
1.
Panchsheel
2.
Opt-Out Policy
3.
Policy against colonialism and racism
4.
Peaceful settlement of international disputes
5.
Foreign economic aid - support of the UN,
international law, fair and equal world order.
The Constitution of India under Article 51 under the
General Principles of Public Policy lays down certain
principles aimed at promoting international peace and
security:
1.
Strengthening international peace and security.
2.
Maintaining fair and honorable relations between
peoples.
3.
To develop respect for international law and
contractual obligations in the relations of citizens
with each other.
4.
To promote the settlement of international
disputes through arbitration.
The main principles of Indian foreign policy are
discussed in detail as follows:
A. Panchsheel – five principles of peace
On April 29, 1954, Panchsheel, a set of five principles of
peaceful coexistence, was signed and since then it has
become the main principle of India's bilateral relations
with other countries.
Indian politicians are well aware of the link between
peace, development and human survival. Without
global peace, social and economic development can be
pushed back. Considering the devastation caused by
two world wars, they recognize the need for lasting
world peace for the development of the people. From
the early days of independence, J. Nehru, the founder
of India's foreign policy, attached great importance to
world peace in planning his policy.
India wanted peaceful and friendly relations with all
countries, particularly the major powers and
neighboring countries. Even when signing a peace
treaty with China, the country preferred to adhere to
the five basic principles known as the Panchsheel.
Panchsheel includes the following five principles of
foreign policy:
1.
Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity
and sovereignty.
2.
Not to attack each other.
3.
Not interfering in each other's internal affairs.
4.
Equality and mutual benefit.
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5.
Peaceful coexistence.
These principles of Panchsheel were later included in
the Bandung Declaration signed at the Afro-Asian
Conference held in Indonesia in 1955. They were the
guiding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement and
still serve as a guiding document for India's foreign
policy.
B. Opt-Out Policy
1.
The most important feature of India's foreign
policy is non-alignment. Its main element is to
maintain independence in foreign policy by not
joining any military alliance formed by the US and
the Soviet Union, which emerged as an important
aspect of Cold War politics after World War II.
2.
Disengagement does not mean neutrality, non-
participation or isolation. It is a positive and
dynamic concept. It implies taking an independent
position in international affairs, depending on the
nature of each situation, but at the same time not
being under the influence of any military bloc. In
addition, the principle of non-alignment has gained
popularity in developing countries. Thus, it was
important for foreign policy independence to
move away from military alliances and superpower
blocs.
3.
India played a leading role in popularizing and
strengthening the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Non-Aligned Movement was a product of Cold War
politics and a bipolar world, and many scholars
questioned the relevance of the Non-Aligned
Movement after the end of the Cold War and the
collapse of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless,
globalization has forced even a prime mover like India
to change its policy priorities, with India trying to adopt
the principles of a neoliberal market economy to
integrate with the emerging global order. This new
situation gave the impression that the Non-Aligned
Movement was being sidelined and its importance was
declining. However, if we delve deeper into the main
features of the Non-Aligned Movement, it appears to
be equally important in a changing context due to the
following factors:
1.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Non-
Aligned Movement could act as a check against the
excessive dominance and hegemony of any
country or bloc.
2.
The developed (North) and developing (South)
worlds have different views on several global and
economic issues. The United States can be a forum
for third world countries to engage developed
countries in effective dialogue.
3.
The Non-Aligned Movement can be a powerful
mechanism for building cooperation, which is
necessary for their collective self-confidence in the
current market-based global order.
4.
For the United States to be an important forum for
developing countries to discuss various global
issues and reforms, including reforming other
international financial institutions such as the UN,
the World Bank, and the IMF, to make them more
democratic and effective.
C. Politics against colonialism, racism and imperialism
The foundations of India's foreign policy were laid
during the struggle for independence, when leaders
fought against the evils of colonialism and racism.
India, being a victim of colonialism and imperialism in
history, sees it as a threat to international peace and
security. He firmly believes in the equal rights of all
people. Its policy is to oppose all forms of racial
discrimination. He always opposes it in any form.
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D. Peaceful settlement of international disputes
1.
Unrelenting faith in the peaceful settlement of
international disputes is one of the key elements of
India's foreign policy. This principle is enshrined in
the Constitution of India, the General Principles of
Public Policy and also in the UN Charter.
2.
India played a leading role in resolving the Korean
conflict. He supported the settlement of the
Palestinian
issue,
border
problems
with
neighboring countries and other similar disputes
and problems through negotiations.
3.
India is always against foreign military intervention
to solve international problems. This principle
remains the basis of Indian politics.
4.
At present, India is in favor of a peaceful solution
to Iran's nuclear problems, the problem of
democratic rise in the Middle East, etc.
E. Foreign economic aid - supporting the UN,
international law, a just and equal world order
India deeply respects the principles of international
law, the sovereign equality of nations and non-
interference in the internal affairs of other countries,
as endorsed by the UN.
1.
India has played an important role in maintaining
world peace by helping the decolonization process
and actively participating in UN peacekeeping
activities.
2.
India supported the UN disarmament movement.
In 1988, India proposed a very large nuclear
disarmament program to the UN. Although this
proposal was not accepted by other UN members,
India is still committed to total disarmament today.
3.
In order to make the composition of the Security
Council more realistic and democratic, India
proposed and supported the reform of the Security
Council and other UN agencies. of the Security
Council of India
Navigating the politics of international relations is like
walking through a minefield, with one wrong step
leading to negative consequences. Keeping India's
interests in mind, its foreign policy should also ensure
that it does not provoke hostile relations in the
process. These orientations and objectives form the
basis of India's foreign policy.
By the way, any foreign policy is not a static concept,
as it changes depending on domestic and international
politics. However, there are certain principles and
goals that do not lend themselves to rapid change.
National security is an example of one such
fundamental principle. No country can compromise its
national security under any circumstances. Thus,
foreign policy is a means of realizing the national
interests of the country. Foreign policy without
national interest is an exercise in futility.
CONCLUSION
The foreign policy of India or any country is shaped by
two factors - domestic and international. Domestically,
India's history, culture, geography and economy play
an important role in determining the goals and
principles of India's foreign policy.
The international factor, characterized by the Cold War
rivalry between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the
establishment of the United Nations, the arms race,
especially the nuclear arms race, against colonialism
and imperialism, etc., also affects the priorities and
goals of our foreign policy. Jawaharlal Nehru, India's
first Prime Minister, paid due attention to these factors
and played a leading role in shaping the country's
foreign policy.
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Under internal factors, the role of geographical,
historical, economic and cultural conditions should be
understood. Geographically, India is surrounded by the
Indian Ocean, the Himalayas in the north, a large desert
in the west and hills in the northeast.
The Himalayas, which used to be a natural barrier
against foreign attacks, have lost their importance due
to the development of the air force. A porous and open
border in the Northeast creates a problem of foreign
infiltration and a breeding ground for anti-Indian
activities. The foundations of India's foreign policy
were laid during the struggle for independence, when
leaders fought against the evils of colonialism and
racism. The principles of sovereign equality of all
peoples, respect for all races and resistance to
colonialism were expressed and developed in the
struggle for freedom.
In the early period of independence, India suffered
from many economic problems such as lack of capital
and technology in the economic infrastructure,
poverty, unemployment, hunger and poor health
services. To overcome these evils, India needed foreign
assistance in the form of capital and technology. Thus,
rapid economic growth has become one of the main
objectives of India's foreign policy as well. As a nascent
democracy, India must be mindful of the fragility of its
social and cultural makeup.
After India gained independence in 1947, World War II
ended and a new world order was established under
the leadership of two superpowers, the United States
and the Soviet Union. Each superpower created its
own blocs to increase its influence and goals - the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (USA) and the
Warsaw Pact (Soviet Union). The UN was established
with a mandate for global peace and security.
However, it was difficult to stop the rivalry between
the two superpowers and the escalation of the cold
war. This led to the emergence of military alliances and
the arms race, particularly the nuclear arms race. India
could not join both blocs as it would harm its own
interests. In addition, it meant a violation of his own
principles of peace. Thus, he formed the Non-Aligned
Movement in cooperation with like-minded countries.
India's policy of non-alignment was largely influenced
by the international environment that prevailed after
the Second World War. In conclusion, the above
domestic and international factors played an
important role in the formation of India's foreign
policy.
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Publisher:
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