Chapter 2 - India’s Foreign Policy
1. (A) Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statements.
(1) This was the main objective behind establishing the Indian Atomic Energy Commission –
(a) enhance military capacity
(b) conduct nuclear tests
(c) to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons
(d) production of atomic energy
Ans: (d) production of atomic energy
(2) The following is now the objective of all the nations of the world –
(a) atomic development
(b) economic development
(c) nuclear test
(d) security system
Ans: (b) economic development
(3) The ______ is an important aspect of India’s foreign policy –
(a) free economic policy
(b) interdependence
(c) non-alignment
(d) nuclear development
Ans: (c) non-alignment
(4) India conducted nuclear tests in 1974 at –
(a) Shriharikota
(b) Thumba
(c) Pokharan
(d) Jaitapur
Ans: (c) Pokharan
2. State whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(1) Pandit Nehru contributed towards improving Sino-Indian relations.
Ans: The above statement is True.
Reason:
(i) Pandit Nehru had given priority to maintaining good relations with the neighbouring countries in general and China in particular.
(ii) India was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, which was formed after the Communist Revolution in 1949.
(iii) Pandit Nehru had advocated membership in the UN for China.
(iv) He had visited China in 1954 and signed the ‘Panchsheel Accord’.
(v) He had represented Chau-en-Lai at the Bandung conference in 1955.
(2) Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the lead in improving relations with Pakistan.
Ans: The above statement is True.
Reason:
(i) Atal Bihari Vajpayee had established cordial relations at the personal level with General Parvez Musharaf, the then Pakistan’s President.
(ii) He had visited Pakistan in 1999 and signed the ‘Lahore Accord’.
(iii) The Samjhauta Express’ train service and the Sada-e-Sarhad’ bus service were started between India and Pakistan during his reign.
3. Explain the following concepts.
(1) India’s Foreign Policy
Ans:
(i) India is a part of a community of nations. The foundation of its foreign policy was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India.
(ii) He had shaped India’s foreign policy of non-alignment.
(iii) However, after the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, a shift towards a free market economy has taken place in India’s foreign policy.
(2) National Interest
Ans:
(i) National interest implies the means through which the independence and sovereignty of our country are safeguarded.
(ii) National interest also includes efforts to achieve economic development and steps to increase power and influence in international relations.
(iii) When decisions are taken after giving a careful thought to what is beneficial and good for the country, we say that the national interests are nurtured.
(3) World Peace
Ans:
(i) Peace is tranquility, and world peace is the preservation of tranquility in the world. Peace is the absence of hostility and conflict.
(ii) World peace implies a world free of conflict. Wars are fought with weapons, and world peace requires disarmament.
(iii) The League of Nations was established in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945 to preserve World peace.
4. What is your opinion about the fact that world peace is threatened due to nuclear preparedness?
Ans:
(i) Apparently, world peace is threatened due to nuclear preparedness.
(ii) Nuclear weapons in the hands of irresponsible leaders like those of North Korea may threaten world peace.
(iii) There is always the danger that nuclear weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists.
(iv) However, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, ‘the balance of terror forced the Soviet Union to withdraw missiles from Cuba.
5. Answer the following questions in brief.
(1) On what principles is India’s foreign policy based?
Ans: Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy lays down the following principles on which India’s foreign policy is based:
(i) To promote international peace and security.
(ii) To maintain just, friendly, and honourable relations between nations.
(iii) Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another.
(iv) Encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
(2) Who has contributed to improving Sino-Indian relations?
Ans:
(i) The first attempt to improve Sino-Indian relations was made by the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by signing the ‘Panchsheel’ agreement in 1955.
(ii) Sino-Indian relations were restored in 1987 by then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
(iii) Some more steps were taken to improve Sino-Indian relations by the then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998.
(3) Write the objectives of India’s foreign policy.
Ans: Besides the objectives spelled out in the Directive Principles of State Policy, the other objectives of India’s foreign policy are as follows:
(i) To ensure that the defence and security of India are not affected while maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries.
(ii) Not to compromise about the geographical boundaries of the nation.
(iii) To protect the unity and integrity of the country.
(iv) To protect the interests of India’s citizens living in other countries through Indian embassies there.
(v) To establish economic and commercial relations with other countries for the economic development of India.
6. Prepare the following concept map.
Ans:
