India’s external relations have played a key role in shaping its position in global politics after independence. Chapter 4 of the NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 book, titled India’s External Relations, focuses on the foreign policy decisions India made in the early years and how those shaped its image on the world stage. This chapter mainly discusses Nehru’s vision of non-alignment, the Indo-China conflict of 1962, and the changing nature of India’s global engagement in the Cold War context. It gives students a glimpse into the challenges of maintaining sovereignty and strategic balance in a complex international environment.
I chose to write about this chapter because understanding foreign policy is not just important for political science students but for every Indian who wants to understand how India deals with the world. Topics like India-Russia relations, India-US ties, and issues like border disputes or UN reforms are all rooted in this background. Students preparing for exams or competitive tests like UPSC also find this chapter very helpful. The examples given here—like the Bandung Conference, Panchsheel Agreement, and NAM—are not just history but the foundation of our modern diplomacy. This chapter builds a strong base to understand India’s external priorities even today.
India’s Foreign Policy: Key Concepts
1. Jawaharlal Nehru’s Vision
- Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister and also took charge of foreign affairs
- He believed in non-alignment, which meant not joining either the US-led or USSR-led blocs during the Cold War
- The goal was to maintain India’s sovereignty and take independent decisions
2. Principles of Panchsheel
These five principles formed the basis of India’s foreign policy in the 1950s:
- Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity
- Non-aggression
- Non-interference in internal affairs
- Equality and mutual benefit
- Peaceful co-existence
These were signed between India and China in 1954, showing a hope for peaceful relations.
3. The NAM Movement
- India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- NAM countries didn’t align with either the USA or USSR during the Cold War
- It helped India maintain autonomy in international decision-making
4. The Indo-China War of 1962
- Despite the Panchsheel Agreement, China attacked India in 1962
- This was a major shock and changed India’s foreign and defence policy
- India realised the importance of military preparedness and started building stronger defence ties
5. Shift in Foreign Policy Post-1962
- India’s approach became more pragmatic
- While still non-aligned, India started engaging more actively with superpowers
- India signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the USSR in 1971 before the Bangladesh war
6. India and the United Nations
- India has always supported UN peacekeeping missions
- It has also been demanding reforms in the UN Security Council and a permanent seat
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 4 – India’s External Relations
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NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 4 – India’s External Relations
