Post Independent Foreign Policy of India

Published on 30 Sep 2025

India gained Independence in the backdrop of the World War and had to take a stance on several international challenges. This has reflected clearly in India’s foreign policy in the post-Independence period.

Features of India’s foreign policy post-Independence

• Anti-Colonial and Anti-Imperialist Stance: As a newly independent nation, India was deeply committed to supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements worldwide.

• Example: India actively engaged in decolonization of Asia and Africa.

• Non-Alignment: India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, chose not to align with either the Western bloc led by the United States, or the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

• Example: Non-Alignment Movement in 1961.

• Promotion of Peace and Disarmament: India had kept a vision of peaceful coexistence and a commitment to non-violence in international relations.

• Example: India’s active participation in the UN for peacekeeping.

• Conflict Resolution: India sought to mediate and resolve conflicts in various parts of the world. This demonstrated India’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy.

• Example: India was actively engaged in negotiation during Korean crisis in 1950s.

• Panchsheel: It includes mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

• Focus on South-South Cooperation: India has actively sought to strengthen its ties with other developing nations, emphasizing South-South cooperation.

• Example: Initiatives such as G77 and NAM.

• Multilateral Engagement: India engaged in various global and regional bodies to promote multilateral cooperation.

• Example: Participation in UNO, WTO and the Commonwealth.

Reason behind India pursued an independent foreign policy

• Colonial Legacy: India had a long history of colonial rule under the British Empire, which deeply influenced its foreign policy. The experience of colonialism left a strong desire for self-determination and a foreign policy free from external influence.

• Cold War Conflicts: Non-alignment allowed India to maintain its sovereignty, pursue its national interests, and avoid becoming entangled in the ideological and military conflicts of the era.

• Desire for Self-Reliance: India aimed to build a self-reliant economy and maintain its independence in all spheres, including foreign policy. It sought to reduce dependence on external powers and promote economic and technological self-sufficiency.

• Global Leadership: Pursuing an independent foreign policy allowed India to play a prominent role in international forums by advocating for issues such as nuclear disarmament, poverty alleviation, and social justice.

• Diverse Interests: India is a diverse and multi-ethnic country with various regional, cultural, and economic interests. An independent foreign policy allowed India to balance and pursue these diverse interests in its relations with different countries and regions.

Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy

• Non-Alignment (1947-1960s): India chose to remain independent during the Cold War era by not joining any of the two Power blocs.

• Shift in Focus during Sino-Indian War(1960s-1970s): War with China resulted in reassessment of its strategic priorities. India began to seek closer ties with the Soviet Union for security and economic reasons during this period.

• More Regional Focus during Indira Gandhi(1970s-1980s): India pursued a more assertive foreign policy stance in South Asia and took steps to ensure regional stability.

• Example: India’s role in Bangladesh liberation war.

• Era of Globalization (1990s-2000s): Economic reforms initiated in the 1990s brought about a shift in India's foreign policy. India actively engaged in trade and investment agreements and sought to position itself as a global economic player.

• Strategic Partnership and Nuclear Diplomacy (2000s-2010s): India's strategic partnership with the United States deepened in the 2000s. India sought to strengthen its defense and security ties with various countries and participated in international forums and organizations more actively.

• Example: India-USA Civil nuclear agrrement.

• Neighborhood First and Act East Policy (2010s-Present): India has given more focus on its immediate neighborhood and in the S-E Asia in the last decade.

• Example: India – ASEAN cooperation.

• Current Focus on Multilateralism (Present): India continues to emphasize multilateralism and diplomacy in addressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and health crises.

• Example: India active engagement in the G20.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Post Independent Foreign Policy of India Features of India’s foreign policy post-Independence Anti-Colonial and Anti-Imperialist Stance Non-Alignment Movement NAM Panchsheel respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity mutual non-aggression non-interference in each other's internal affairs equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence south south cooperation Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy Nuclear Diplomacy act east Multilateralism Reason behind India pursued an

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Post-Independence Consolidation