India's Role in Decolonization

Published on 25 Oct 2025

• Inspiration: India's successful independence from British colonial rule inspired other nations. 

• Example: Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah and Indonesia's Sukarno were influenced by India's struggle for freedom.

• Non-Aligned Movement: India led the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) promoting independence and neutrality during the Cold War. 

• UN Advocacy: India used its UN membership to advocate for self-determination and sovereignty for colonies.

• Example: It supported resolutions for decolonization, including for Namibia and South West Africa.

• India supported Palestinian self-determination and recognized the PLO. It consistently advocated for Palestinian rights at the UN.

• African Support: India supported African nations in their decolonization efforts.

• Example: It provided scholarships to African students and offered diplomatic assistance to liberation movements.

• Peaceful Negotiations: Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru promoted peaceful negotiations, influencing the peaceful resolution of conflicts in several newly independent countries.

• Anti-Apartheid: India condemned apartheid in South Africa and supported the international anti-apartheid campaign. 

• Example: It was one of the first countries to sever ties with South Africa in protest.

• Peacekeeping: India contributed troops to UN peacekeeping missions in post-colonial and conflict-affected regions like Congo and Lebanon.

• South-South Cooperation: India fostered ties with newly independent nations, promoting cooperation for development and diplomacy.

• Nuclear Disarmament: India advocated global nuclear disarmament, emphasizing peaceful coexistence during the Cold War and beyond.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Indias Role in Decolonization Kwame Nkrumah Ghana Indonesia Sukarno Non Aligned Movement NAM Non Alignment cold war Palestinian self-determination PLO African Support apartheid global south south south cooperation Nuclear Disarmament

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
World History