Question

Write a speech on topic ‘ India's role in foreign policy’​

Answer 1

Before the 15th of August 1944, India had no foreign policy for she was under the domination of a foreign power, Indian politi­cians and public leaders in an unofficial way discussed the matter but the discussion was merely an intellectual exercise and had no impact on the policy of the country. With the achievement of in­dependence, India has come in the grip of foreign affairs. She has to maintain diplomatic relations with other nations of the world and had to adopt a definite policy in the international sphere.

In conformity with her traditions, culture and philosophy, India has evolved, thanks to the genius of Nehru, a code of inter­national conduct which received a lot of praise and acceptance by a majority of nations at the first instance. This code was given the technical name of ‘Panch-Sheel’.

1. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,

2. Non-aggression,

3. Non-interference in each-other’s internal affairs,

4. Equality and mutual benefit, and

5. Peaceful co-existence.

In a fast changing world, it is not possible to define exactly the foreign policy of a nation. Truly speaking foreign policy is a constant attempt to adjust and accommodate the changing condi­tions. Thus foreign policy is necessarily an ever changing and evolu­tionary process.

In spite of the fast changing trend of the world politics, every nation has to base her foreign policy on certain broad principles and general outlook in foreign affairs. In this respect India has expresses her foreign policy in a clear-cut way. There are three basic principles of India’s foreign policy. Firstly, India will oppose imperialism and racial discrimination. Secondly, India will pursue the path of peace and goodwill. Thirdly, India will remain neutral by means of non-alignment.

India regards imperialism and racial discrimination a poten­tial threat to world peace and harmony. In her opinion, imperialism or colonial rule is radically wrong, a denial of human rights. That is why, she took a leading role in resolving the Indonesian dispute, and always opposed the policy of racial discrimination ardently followed by the Malan Government in South Africa. India supported the cause of Egypt at the time of the nationalization of the Suez Canal. Many examples can be quoted to support this argument. Whenever the time has called upon India, she has vehemently but non-violently opposed imperialism and racial discrimination.

India’s policy of maintaining peace and friendly relations with other nations is theoretical more than it is practical. Outwardly, every nation of the world is professing the policy of peace and friendship but inwardly, all the countries find it necessary to live up with one group or the other in order to maintain a sort of politi­cal balance. India believes in and professes neutrality and refuses to be a camp follower of either America or Russia; though she is will­ing to maintain friendly relations with both.