Samacheer Kalvi 10th Social Science Chapter 21 Exercise Solutions — India's Foreign Policy | KalviGavani

(a) 1947    (b) 1950    (c) 1954    (d) 1962

(a) Bandung    (b) Belgrade    (c) New Delhi    (d) Cairo

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru    (b) Josip Tito    (c) Gamal Abdel Nasser    (d) Winston Churchill

(a) First-use    (b) No-first-use    (c) Massive retaliation    (d) Flexible response

(a) 1947    (b) 1950    (c) 1955    (d) 1961

(a) 1985    (b) 1990    (c) 1992    (d) 1998

(a) Article 14    (b) Article 21    (c) Article 51    (d) Article 370

(a) 2004    (b) 2009    (c) 2012    (d) 2014

(a) 1974 and 1998    (b) 1985 and 1998    (c) 1974 and 2000    (d) 1990 and 1998

(a) Cooperation between southern US states    (b) Cooperation among developing countries    (c) Cooperation between North and South Korea    (d) Cooperation between Australia and New Zealand

India's foreign policy aims to protect national interest and territorial integrity, promote world peace and international cooperation, support anti-colonialism and the liberation of oppressed peoples, maintain independent decision-making free from military blocs, promote economic development through international cooperation, and support disarmament and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The five principles of Panchsheel are: (1) mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, (2) mutual non-aggression — no country should attack another, (3) mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, (4) equality and mutual benefit in relations, and (5) peaceful coexistence. These were formalised in the 1954 agreement between India and China and became the foundation of India's foreign policy.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an organisation of countries that chose not to align with either the US-led Western bloc or the USSR-led Eastern bloc during the Cold War. It was formally founded at the Belgrade Conference in 1961. The founding leaders were Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), and Nasser (Egypt). NAM promoted peace, disarmament, anti-colonialism, and economic cooperation among developing nations. Today it has over 120 member countries.

The Neighbourhood First policy gives priority to building friendly, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relations with India's immediate neighbours. Under this policy, India focuses on connectivity, trade, security, and people-to-people ties with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. India extends development assistance and prefers dialogue to resolve disputes with neighbours.

The Bandung Conference, held in April 1955 in Indonesia, was a landmark meeting of 29 Asian and African countries. It was significant because it united newly independent nations against colonialism and racial discrimination, laid the ideological foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement, produced the Ten Principles of Bandung (building on Panchsheel), and demonstrated that Asian and African nations could cooperate independently of the superpower blocs. Nehru played a prominent role in shaping the conference's outcomes.

South-South Cooperation is collaboration among developing countries of the Global South for mutual economic, technical, and social development. Unlike North-South aid, it is based on solidarity, equality, and shared development challenges. India promotes South-South Cooperation through technology sharing, capacity building, trade concessions, and development assistance to other developing nations, particularly in Africa and Asia.

India refused to sign the NPT because it considered the treaty discriminatory — it divided the world into nuclear "haves" (the five recognised nuclear states) and "have-nots" without a clear timetable for disarmament. India argued that the NPT allowed nuclear weapons states to keep their arsenals while denying the same right to others. India supported complete and universal nuclear disarmament instead of a discriminatory non-proliferation regime.

The Look East Policy (1992) focused on economic engagement with Southeast Asia and ASEAN through trade and investment. The Act East Policy (2014) expanded this significantly — it includes strategic and security cooperation (naval exercises, defence partnerships), connectivity projects (roads, ports, digital links), and extends the focus beyond ASEAN to the wider Indo-Pacific including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

India's foreign policy is guided by the following objectives and principles:

• National interest and security: The primary objective is to protect India's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. All foreign policy decisions are evaluated against national interest. This includes border security, counter-terrorism, and strategic autonomy.

• World peace and disarmament: India is committed to world peace and supports disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament. India advocates the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and international forums like the UN. India has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

• Anti-colonialism and anti-racism: From independence, India opposed colonialism and racial discrimination. India supported liberation movements in Africa and Asia, opposed apartheid in South Africa, and championed the rights of Palestinian people. This commitment reflects India's own experience as a colonised nation.

• Non-alignment and independent judgement: India follows the principle of non-alignment — not joining any military bloc. This was especially important during the Cold War when the world was divided into US and USSR camps. Non-alignment allowed India to take independent positions on international issues based on merit, not alliance obligations.

• Panchsheel and peaceful coexistence: The five principles of Panchsheel — mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence — form the philosophical foundation of India's foreign policy. These principles guide India's bilateral and multilateral relations.

• Economic development and cooperation: India's foreign policy aims to promote economic development through international trade, investment, technology transfer, and development cooperation. This includes participation in regional groupings (SAARC, BIMSTEC, BRICS) and global institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank).

• Support for the United Nations: India is a strong supporter of the UN system and multilateralism. India seeks a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and actively participates in UN agencies, peacekeeping, and international law.

Origin: The roots of NAM lie in the Asian Relations Conference (New Delhi, 1947) and the Bandung Conference (1955). At Bandung, 29 Asian and African countries met under the leadership of Nehru, Sukarno, and others, and adopted the Ten Principles that emphasised sovereignty, non-aggression, and cooperation. This laid the ideological groundwork.

Formal founding: NAM was formally established at the Belgrade Conference in September 1961. The three key founders were Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt). They were later joined by leaders like Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana) and Sukarno (Indonesia). The founding meeting had 25 member countries.

Development: NAM grew from 25 members in 1961 to over 120 members today. During the Cold War, NAM provided a platform for developing nations to articulate positions independent of the superpower blocs. NAM summits addressed issues like decolonisation, disarmament, economic inequality, and the New International Economic Order. After the Cold War, NAM shifted focus to globalisation, terrorism, and sustainable development.

Significance of NAM for India: NAM gave India international visibility and influence beyond its economic and military power. It allowed India to maintain strategic autonomy — taking aid from both the US and USSR without joining either camp. NAM strengthened India's leadership among developing nations and amplified India's voice at the UN and other global forums. NAM also facilitated South-South Cooperation and collective bargaining on trade and development issues.

India's nuclear journey: India conducted its first nuclear test (Pokhran-I / Smiling Buddha) in 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, describing it as a "peaceful nuclear explosion." In May 1998, under Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, India conducted a series of tests (Pokhran-II) and declared itself a nuclear weapons state.

No-first-use doctrine: After the 1998 tests, India announced a no-first-use (NFU) nuclear policy. India commits to not using nuclear weapons first against any state. Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian forces. India also declared it would not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.

Minimum credible deterrence: India's nuclear doctrine emphasises minimum credible deterrence — maintaining only the minimum nuclear arsenal needed to deter a nuclear attack. India follows a policy of "retaliation only" and has a command-and-control structure under civilian authority (the Political Council chaired by the Prime Minister).

Disarmament position: India has consistently advocated for universal, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. India refused to sign the NPT because it considered it discriminatory — it allowed five countries to keep nuclear weapons while denying the same right to others. India supports the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in principle but wants it to be universal and non-discriminatory. India has supported Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) negotiations.

International responses: The 1998 tests drew international condemnation and sanctions from the US, Japan, and other countries. However, sanctions were gradually lifted as India engaged with the international community and demonstrated responsible nuclear behaviour. The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008) marked India's acceptance into the global nuclear trade framework despite not signing the NPT.

India's Neighbourhood First policy gives top priority to friendly relations with immediate neighbours:

Pakistan: Relations remain tense due to the Kashmir dispute, cross-border terrorism, and the history of wars (1947, 1965, 1971, 1999). India maintains that terrorism and dialogue cannot go together. Despite this, India has attempted confidence-building measures like bus services, trade, and people-to-people contacts. The Simla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999) were significant bilateral agreements.

China: India-China relations are complex. The 1962 war was a major setback after the "Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai" era. Border disputes in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin remain unresolved. The Doklam standoff (2017) and Galwan clash (2020) increased tensions. However, trade and economic ties have grown significantly. India and China cooperate in BRICS, SCO, and climate change negotiations even while competing strategically.

Nepal: India and Nepal share deep cultural, religious, and people-to-people ties. Open border and treaty-based friendship underpin the relationship. However, periodic tensions arise over border disputes (Kalapani, Limpiyadhura), the 2015 blockade, and Nepal's constitution. India provides development assistance and disaster relief to Nepal.

Bangladesh: India-Bangladesh relations have improved significantly. The Land Boundary Agreement (2015) resolved a long-standing border issue. Cooperation includes trade, connectivity, energy, and counter-terrorism. The Teesta water-sharing issue remains unresolved. India supported Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

Sri Lanka: India-Sri Lanka relations are shaped by the Tamil issue, fishing disputes, and Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. India sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987. The 13th Amendment for devolution of power to Tamil provinces remains a key concern. India provides development assistance and supports Sri Lanka's economic recovery.

Bhutan and Maldives: India has especially close ties with Bhutan through the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty. India is Bhutan's largest trade and development partner. With Maldives, India provides security cooperation, infrastructure, and disaster relief under the "India First" policy of the Maldives.

Myanmar: India-Myanmar relations focus on connectivity (India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway), security cooperation against insurgent groups in the northeast, and the Act East Policy. The Rohingya crisis and the 2021 military coup in Myanmar have posed challenges.

Look East Policy (1992): Launched under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao as part of India's economic liberalisation and global engagement. The policy aimed to strengthen economic ties with Southeast Asia and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Key achievements include: India became a full dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1995, a summit-level partner in 2002, and signed the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in goods (2009). India joined the East Asia Summit in 2005. Trade with ASEAN grew from $2 billion in the early 1990s to over $70 billion. Cultural and educational exchanges, including the Nalanda University revival project, strengthened people-to-people ties.

Act East Policy (2014): Launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an upgraded and expanded version of the Look East Policy. The shift from "Look" to "Act" signals a move from economic focus to comprehensive strategic engagement. Key dimensions include: (a) Strategic cooperation — naval exercises with Japan (Malabar), Singapore, Vietnam, and quadrilateral cooperation (Quad with US, Japan, Australia); (b) Connectivity — projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, Kaladan multi-modal project, and port development in the Indian Ocean; (c) Defence partnerships — defence trade and technology sharing with Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam; (d) Extended geography — beyond ASEAN to include Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Pacific Island nations; (e) Economic integration — negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP, though India withdrew in 2019), and bilateral FTAs with Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Significance: The Act East Policy positions India as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific, counters China's growing influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, and integrates India's northeast with Southeast Asia through connectivity projects. It reflects India's recognition that its economic and security future is closely tied to the dynamic Indo-Pacific region.