India’s Foreign Policy

Chapter 2 · Textbook Solutions

🕊️ Non-Alignment ⚛️ Nuclear Policy 🤝 Sino-Indian Relations 🌐 World Peace

✅ 1. (A) Choose the Correct Option 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: Option (d) – The main objective behind establishing the Indian Atomic Energy Commission was the production of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

(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: Option (b) – Economic development is now the objective of all the nations of the world.

(3) The ______ is an important aspect of India’s foreign policy –

(a) free economic policy (b) interdependence (c) non-alignment ✓ (d) nuclear development

✔ Ans: Option (c) – Non-alignment is an important aspect of India’s foreign policy.

(4) India conducted nuclear tests in 1974 at –

(a) Shriharikota (b) Thumba (c) Pokharan ✓ (d) Jaitapur

✔ Ans: Option (c) – India conducted nuclear tests in 1974 at Pokharan in Rajasthan.

⚖️ 2. State Whether the Following Statements are True or False. Give Reasons.

(1) Pandit Nehru contributed towards improving Sino-Indian relations.

Ans: ✔ TRUE

iPandit Nehru gave priority to maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries in general and China in particular.
iiIndia was among the first countries to recognise the People’s Republic of China, which was formed after the Communist Revolution in 1949.
iiiPandit Nehru advocated China’s membership in the United Nations.
ivHe visited China in 1954 and signed the Panchsheel Accord.
vHe represented Zhou Enlai at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Hence, the statement is true.

(2) Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the lead in improving relations with Pakistan.

Ans: ✔ TRUE

iAtal Bihari Vajpayee established cordial relations at the personal level with General Pervez Musharraf, the then President of Pakistan.
iiHe visited Pakistan in 1999 and signed the Lahore Declaration.
iiiThe Samjhauta Express train service and the Sada-e-Sarhad bus service were started between India and Pakistan during his tenure. Hence, the statement is true.

💡 3. Explain the Following Concepts.

🌐 India’s Foreign Policy

Ans:

India is a part of a community of nations. The foundation of its foreign policy was laid by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who shaped India’s foreign policy of non-alignment. 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.

🏛️ National Interest

Ans:

National interest implies the means through which the independence and sovereignty of our country are safeguarded. It also includes efforts to achieve economic development and steps to increase power and influence in international relations. When decisions are taken after carefully considering what is beneficial and good for the country, we say that national interests are being nurtured.

🕊️ World Peace

Ans:

Peace is tranquillity, and world peace is the preservation of tranquillity across the world. World peace implies a world free of conflict and hostility. Wars are fought with weapons, and therefore world peace requires disarmament. 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:

iApparently, world peace is threatened due to nuclear preparedness.
iiNuclear weapons in the hands of irresponsible leaders, such as those of North Korea, may seriously threaten world peace.
iiiThere is always the danger that nuclear weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists, which would be catastrophic for the world.
ivHowever, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the ‘balance of terror’ actually forced the Soviet Union to withdraw its missiles from Cuba, showing that nuclear deterrence can also prevent war in certain situations.

📖 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:

iTo promote international peace and security.
iiTo maintain just, friendly, and honourable relations between nations.
iiiTo foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised nations with one another.
ivTo encourage the settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

(2) Who has contributed to improving Sino-Indian relations?

Ans:

iThe first attempt to improve Sino-Indian relations was made by Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954.
iiSino-Indian relations were further restored in 1987 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
iiiFurther steps were taken to improve Sino-Indian relations by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998.

(3) Write the objectives of India’s foreign policy.

Ans:

Besides the objectives stated in the Directive Principles of State Policy, the other objectives of India’s foreign policy are as follows:

iTo ensure that the defence and security of India are not affected while maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries.
iiNot to compromise on the geographical boundaries of the nation.
iiiTo protect the unity and integrity of the country.
ivTo protect the interests of India’s citizens living in other countries through Indian embassies abroad.
vTo establish economic and commercial relations with other countries for the economic development of India.

🗺️ 6. Prepare the Following Concept Map.

Prepare a concept map showing the key aspects of India’s Foreign Policy.

Ans: