Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 Notes – India’s Foreign Relations

Introduction

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 Notes explain how India shaped its foreign policy after independence under complex global circumstances. At that time, the world was divided into two powerful blocs. Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru guided India’s foreign policy with vision and wisdom.

Meaning of Foreign Policy

Foreign policy defines how a country maintains relations with its neighboring nations and other countries across the world. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (1946–1964), played a vital role in establishing India’s independent foreign policy.

Main Objectives of Nehru’s Foreign Policy

1. To preserve the hard-earned sovereignty of India.

2. To maintain the territorial integrity of the nation.

3. To achieve rapid economic development.

Nehru aimed to fulfill these goals through principles such as non-alignment, disarmament, the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), Panchsheel, and opposition to imperialism.

Constitutional Principles

Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, promotes international peace and cooperation. It emphasizes:

1. Promoting global peace and security.

2. Maintaining just and respectful relations among nations.

3. Increasing respect for international law and treaties.

4. Settling international disputes peacefully through arbitration.

Debate over Foreign Policy Choices

Some leaders believed India should align more closely with the United States. Among them were Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and members of the Jan Sangh and Independent Party. However, Nehru preferred an independent and balanced approach, avoiding military alliances.

India’s Role in Global Affairs

During the Suez Canal Crisis (1956), India led the global protest against Britain’s attack on Egypt. In the same year, the Soviet Union invaded Hungary, but India chose not to publicly condemn it.
Meanwhile, Pakistan joined the US-led military alliance, worsening India-US relations. The United States also grew uneasy because India maintained friendly ties with the Soviet Union.

Afro-Asian Cooperation

Nehru strengthened India’s relations with newly independent Asian and African nations. India hosted the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947 and supported Indonesia’s independence by organizing an international conference in 1949. India also protested against apartheid in South Africa and supported the process of decolonization.

The Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, Indonesia (1955) laid the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Later, the first NAM summit took place in Belgrade in 1961.

India and China Relations

India was among the first countries to recognize the Communist government of China (1949). However, Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel warned that China might threaten India’s security, though Nehru did not agree at that time.

Panchsheel Agreement (1954)

Nehru and Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai signed the Panchsheel Agreement to promote peace and friendship. Its five principles were:

1. Mutual respect for territorial integrity.

2. Non-aggression.

3. Non-interference in internal affairs.

4. Equality and mutual benefit.

5. Peaceful coexistence.

Indo-China War (1962)

Despite earlier friendship, tensions rose when China took control of Tibet (1950). India granted asylum to Dalai Lama and his followers in 1959, which China saw as interference.
Another cause of conflict was the border dispute. China occupied Aksai Chin in Ladakh and claimed Arunachal Pradesh. The 1962 war ended in India’s defeat, damaging Nehru’s image. Defense Minister V.K. Krishna Menon resigned, and the Communist Party later split into CPI and CPI(M) in 1964.

Improvement in India-China Relations

Relations improved gradually after 1976. Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China in 1979, followed by Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1988.
In 2003, Prime Minister Vajpayee reopened the ancient Silk Route (Nathula Pass) for trade. In 2014, President Xi Jinping visited India, leading to agreements such as an alternative route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

In recent years, both countries have worked to strengthen ties through the concept of P2P (People-to-People) relations, focusing on Spirituality, Tradition, Trade, Technology, Relationships, Entertainment, Nature, Games, Tourism, and Health.
The Doklam conflict (2017) was resolved through diplomatic talks, and in 2019, China supported India’s proposal to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist.

Tibet Issue

Tibet has remained a key issue in India-China relations. China took control of Tibet in 1950, and a revolt erupted in 1958. The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 and made Dharamshala his residence. India provided him political asylum, which China continues to view critically.

War and Peace with Pakistan

India and Pakistan fought several wars after partition.

• 1947: The first war over Kashmir led to the creation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

• 1965: Pakistan attacked in the Rann of Kutch and Jammu & Kashmir. India counter-attacked under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, advancing near Lahore. The war ended with the Tashkent Agreement (1966), mediated by the Soviet Union.

• 1971: India supported Bangladesh’s independence. The war ended with Pakistan’s surrender of 90,000 soldiers. The Shimla Agreement (1972) followed, strengthening Indira Gandhi’s popularity.

India also focused on defense modernization after 1962 by creating the Defense Supplies Department (1965) and launching new Five-Year Plans.

Kargil Conflict (1999)

In 1999, Pakistani soldiers and militants occupied Indian posts in Kargil. The Indian Army launched Operation Vijay and regained control. The conflict, known as the Kargil War, ended with India’s victory.

India’s Nuclear Policy

India conducted its first nuclear test in May 1974 for peaceful purposes. Nehru opposed nuclear weapons but supported nuclear energy for development.
After China’s nuclear test (1964), major powers pressured others to sign the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, India rejected it, calling it discriminatory. India also refused to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), upholding its independent stance.

Conclusion

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 Notes highlight India’s diplomatic journey shaped by Nehru’s vision of peace, non-alignment, and sovereignty. Despite wars with China and Pakistan, India continued to promote harmony, self-reliance, and global cooperation — values that still guide the nation’s foreign policy today.