Question

Why has India adopted anti Imperialism
and anti- apartheid policies in its foreign
policy​

Answer 1

Answer:

Since the coming of colonial powers racial discrimination started in Africa in general and South Africa in particular against the native black population. The racial discrimination became worst in South Africa as the sizeable white settler population also joined hands with colonial administration in pursuing discrimination. When Indians and other Asians were taken to South Africa as labourers they were also subjected to racial discrimination. This was totally against the ethics of civilization and it was pursued by those people who called themselves as civilized and developed. Later on racial discrimination was adopted as state policy called Apartheid, to control, marginalise and dehumanise the black majority and Asians so that the whites' could have exclusive control over political power and economic resources. It was against this discrimination that the Indians and India started their movement through all forums. After independence India intensified its struggle at the UN, Commonwealth and Non-aligned Movement It was first to impose political and economic sanctions against South Africa and even totally boycotted it. It mobilised other countries to boycott the racist regime. India played remarkable leadership role against racialism and colonialism single-handedly at a time when African representation was nil in the UN and other international forums. India's struggle brought result as it broke the economic power of racist regime and put huge international pressure resulting in the abolition of racial discrimination in 1994. It was hoped that after the end of Apartheid India will become the most favoured nation for South African majority. The present irony is that India s past great role is not leading to a very good India-South Africa cooperation even after the passage of fifteen years of democratic rule in South Africa. The black leadership and the people of South Africa, for whom India fought relentlessly, are still giving more favour for trade and cooperation to the ex-colonial western countries and the United States, who are their past exploiters. Cooperation with India is given a low place in their policies. The present paper undertakes to examine Indies struggle against racialism in South Africa and the emergent present relations, with a hope to sensitise for better cooperation and bilateral relation in future.