The main basic pillars of Indian foreign policy are non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and strategic autonomy. India emphasizes maintaining independence and neutrality in global affairs, fostering peaceful relations with other nations, and safeguarding its national interests without aligning with any particular power bloc.
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The main basic pillars of Indian foreign policy are non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and strategic autonomy. These pillars form the foundation of India’s approach to global affairs and have played a significant role in shaping its diplomatic relations over the years.
Non-alignment is a key principle of Indian foreign policy since its independence in 1947. It emphasizes maintaining independence and neutrality in global affairs, while actively engaging with multiple nations on political, economic, and cultural fronts. As India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, stated, “Non-alignment does not mean neutrality… It means freedom of action, and freedom of action depends upon the situation and the circumstances.”
Peaceful coexistence is another fundamental pillar, guiding India’s interactions with other nations. It seeks to foster peaceful relations, resolve conflicts through dialogue, and promote global harmony. As Indian diplomat Vijay K. Nambiar remarked, “India, with its ancient wisdom, believes in peaceful coexistence… irrespective of its size, it seeks to remain a champion of peace.”
Strategic autonomy is the third pillar, highlighting India’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests without aligning with any particular power bloc. It provides flexibility in decision-making, enables India to pursue its own path, and strive for self-reliance in key areas. As former Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao emphasized, “Strategic autonomy is a necessary ingredient… No country that aspires to be a major global actor can do without it.”
Here are some interesting facts about Indian foreign policy:
- India played a crucial role in the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961, which aimed to provide a platform for countries to assert their independence and pursue their national interests without aligning with any major power bloc.
- India is known for its active participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. It has been involved in over 50 peacekeeping operations since 1947, making it one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces.
- Nehru’s approach to foreign policy, known as the “Panchsheel” (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence), has been influential in shaping India’s diplomatic engagements. These principles include mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence.
- India’s strategic autonomy is evident in its pursuit of a diversified portfolio of partnerships, engaging both with major powers and regional actors. This approach allows India to maintain a balance and expand its influence on the global stage.
- India’s foreign policy is guided by its historical cultural ties, promoting the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (world is one family). This philosophy underscores India’s desire for inclusive and cooperative global relationships.
Table: India’s Main Basic Pillars of Foreign Policy
| Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Non-alignment | Emphasizing independence, neutrality, and freedom of action in global affairs. |
| Peaceful coexistence | Fostering peaceful relations, conflict resolution through dialogue, and promoting global harmony. |
| Strategic autonomy | Safeguarding national interests without aligning with any particular power bloc. |
In conclusion, India’s foreign policy rests on the pillars of non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and strategic autonomy. These principles have guided India’s diplomatic engagements and continue to shape its approach to global affairs. Diligently adhering to these pillars enables India to maintain its independence, forge peaceful relations, and safeguard its national interests in an ever-changing world.
Some additional responses to your inquiry
The first pillar is that Indian diplomacy is Indian in thought, Shringla said. One of the particularly strong strands in India’s thinking is the tradition of the Middle Path that arises from the teachings of Buddhism. As a result, the country tends to keep away from excessive strategic and political behaviour.
India’s foreign policy has evolved and changed according to its leadership and global scenario..now with changed leadership and changed global scenario like rising aspiration of china,growing ideocity of pakistan etc India has played very well in making it’s agenda of development at forefront while engaging with its foreign counterparts and regional blocks…with this view india has evolved it’s pillars of foreign policy i.e…
1-) Engagement with Neighbourhood:-
India has tried to engage with neighbours first while it also gave line for its policy “Neighbour’s First” this has been a very good policy for india as for its border development India’s engagement with its neighbour is very important and also to counter china’s policy like string of pearls india has to put special focus on its neighbours which it has ignored and the vacuum created by it was being filled by china at very pace.
2-) International Partnership For India’s Domestic Development:-
India has been creating internation…