Difference between nehru's foreign policy and modi's foreign policy
Answers
The main difference in the foreign policy of Nehru and Modi rests in their perception of the situation exisisting at the time of their rule.
Jawahar Lal Nehru, the architect of modern India inherited a tumultuous domestic situation, wherein as many as 750 princely states were merged to form a country and he had to keep the flock together. Hence he shaped his foreign policy to suit the situation. He kept the foreign relations in his iron fist. The foreign affairs was under his strict control getting consultation from his advisors and aides.
Nehru wanted India to steer clear of the two blocks of USSR of Soviet Russia and NATO of USA. His foreign policies are dictated by the consideration of idealogical perspective including panchasheel, non-alignment, colonialism, and racism. He firmly believed that if India stays away, from both the blocks it stands to gain. He structured his foreign policy integrating domestic and foreign policies. He felt by not identifying with either blocks India's identity is preserved.
Nehru riding against all opposition back home, he was firm in his stand, to be a part of Commonwealth of nations. Nehru said that he wanted the world to see that India do not lack faith in itself and India is ready to cooperate even with those countries with which it has been fighting. India wants to be part of the organisation on honorable and free basis for the good of our country and that of the world. Nehru having very high belief in peacefull co-existance, peacefull alliances and solutions in international affairs through dialogue went about to be part of Commonwealth of nations. Now we are reaping the benefit.
He laid the foundation for Non Alignment Movement (NAM) with the support of Tito, Nasser, Soekerno, U Nu, and Nkrumah. This was his greatest success. He was under firm impression that by not aligning with either blocs developed countries of both the block will help in our nation building and development which turned out to be true.
His Panchasheel of mutual respect for other nations, territorial integrity and sovereignty, non aggression non interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence was adopted in the Bandung Conference of 1955. But unfortunately China violated the international tenets and occupied Tibet illegally during 1962 eventhough India had a mutual agreement of Panchasheel in 1954. Being too naive, Nehru overlooked the treachery of our neighbor, thinking that they will not go beyond the treaty already entered into between the two nations. His request to American President Kennedy to supply 12 latest aircraft and man the same till our pilots are trained were rejected. His goodwill and naiveness cost the country dearly and also probably he died heart broken.
After the Chinese war of 1962 Nehru made many structural changes in his approach to foreign relations. But he did not live long thereafter to make a study of the same.
Narendra Modi's foreign policy is mainly centered round creating good neighborhood policy, improving trade and commerce and Para diplomacy. During the election rallies he did not spelt out any foreign policy except stressing the Bangladesh immigrants and giving asylum to any Hindus if they so desired. He, time and again said that he will be the first PM to have been born after independence. Apart from these nothing much is known about his foreign policy.
Inorder to have good neibhourhood and to achieve his development agenda Modi felt that peace and tranquility should prevail in South Asia. Hence he started visiting immediate neighbors Buthan, Nepal and Bangladesh and South east Asian nations. He had a successful tour of all the nebouring nations except Pakistan.
In the last 27 months he has made 52 foreign trips covering 43 nations of the world. Throughout he has been stressing on trade and commerse, development and FDI with all nations, except with some important global powers with whom India has strategic partnerships. He has positioned India in such a way that she is looked upon as one of the important powerfull nations.
His Para Diplomacy enables independent states to have liberty to forge relations with countries or States or Cities of their intrrests.
Modi's foreign policy is centered down on the economic consideration and development. He firmly believes once India frees itself from the clutches of poverty and economic dependance, the rest will follow in its stead automatically. Hence his stress on trade, commerce, FDI, development etc., in all his tours. This is bearing fruit now.
Thus we see different situations propelled the leaders to raise up to the situation and position India effectively to deal with the challenges thrown.