Nehru's Foreign Policy: Major Treaties, Issues, Pacts | Evolution of Indian Foreign Policy | Eng Sub

Summary

This video delves into the relevance of Nehru's foreign policy in today's geopolitical landscape. It highlights how Nehru's approach, particularly towards Europe, Pakistan, and China, continues to influence India's current strategies. The video explores key events, such as the Kashmir conflict, the Panchsheel agreement with China, and the foundation of the Non-Alignment Movement. Additionally, it discusses Nehru's stance on nuclear disarmament and the challenges he faced, culminating in the shift in India's foreign policy after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Nehru's foreign policy, despite being 75 years old, remains relevant today, as demonstrated by parallels between his speeches and those of the current External Affairs Minister.
• 🇮🇳 Nehru balanced idealism and realism in his approach to Pakistan, particularly in dealing with the Kashmir issue, where he initially promised a plebiscite but later refused due to changing geopolitical circumstances.
• 📝 Nehru's handling of the Kashmir dispute at the UN avoided the involvement of UN peacekeeping forces, protecting India's recently gained independence.
• 🤝 Nehru signed several key agreements with Pakistan, including the Nehru-Liaquat Pact, Nehru-Noon Pact, and the Indus Water Treaty, to manage refugee crises, boundary disputes, and water-sharing issues.
• 🇨🇳 Nehru recognized China early on to avoid confrontation, despite later tensions due to China's territorial claims and the 1962 war, which was partly attributed to Nehru's Forward Policy.
• 🕊️ Nehru's Panchsheel agreement with China in 1954 aimed at peaceful coexistence but was later undermined by geopolitical realities, including China's reaction to India's asylum granted to the Dalai Lama.
• 🚫 Nehru's non-alignment policy during the Cold War allowed India to maintain its independence and engage economically with both Western and Eastern blocs, influencing other newly independent nations to adopt a similar stance.
• ☢️ Nehru advocated for nuclear disarmament globally while simultaneously laying the groundwork for India's own nuclear development, opposing what he called 'atomic colonialism' by the US.
• 📉 The 1962 war with China marked a turning point in Nehru's foreign policy, leading to the collapse of the Nehruvian consensus and increased criticism of his idealistic approach.
• 🔄 Despite challenges, Nehru's policies laid a foundation that continues to influence India's foreign relations, with ongoing debates about their relevance and effectiveness in the modern geopolitical landscape.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the video regarding Nehru's foreign policy?

The main argument of the video is that Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy, particularly his approach to non-alignment and international relations, remains relevant today. The video emphasizes how Nehru laid a strong foundation for India's foreign policy, balancing idealism and realism, and that this foundation continues to influence India's approach to global affairs.

How did Nehru balance idealism and realism in his foreign policy?

Nehru balanced idealism and realism in his foreign policy by promoting principles such as peaceful coexistence and non-alignment while being pragmatic in handling international disputes and maintaining India's sovereignty. For instance, his decision to not hold a plebiscite in Kashmir after the geopolitical scenario changed in 1954 demonstrates his pragmatic approach, despite earlier idealistic promises.

Why does the video compare Nehru's speeches to those of the current External Affairs Minister?

The video compares Nehru's speeches to those of the current External Affairs Minister to illustrate the continuity in India's foreign policy approach. It shows how similar themes of prioritizing India's interests and recognizing the need for a broader global perspective have been consistent from Nehru's time to the present.

What were the key agreements between India and Pakistan during Nehru's tenure, and what were their purposes?

During Nehru's tenure, several key agreements were signed between India and Pakistan to resolve various disputes. These include the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 to protect minority rights and manage the refugee crisis, the Nehru-Noon Pact of 1958 to resolve boundary disputes, and the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 for water-sharing between the two countries. These agreements aimed to stabilize relations and manage conflicts between the newly formed nations.

How did Nehru handle relations with China, and what challenges did he face?

Nehru initially sought to build good relations with China, recognizing it early and promoting agreements like the Panchsheel Agreement for peaceful coexistence. However, he faced challenges such as China's Five Finger Policy, territorial claims, and the eventual 1962 Sino-Indian War, which highlighted the limitations of his idealistic approach and the need for a more pragmatic policy towards China.

What is the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), and how did Nehru contribute to its formation?

The Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) is a group of states that chose not to formally align with any major power bloc during the Cold War, instead advocating for an independent path in international relations. Nehru was a founding figure of NAM, advocating for a policy of non-alignment to maintain India's independence and sovereignty without aligning with either the US or USSR. This policy allowed India to engage with both Western and Eastern blocs on its own terms.

What were the principles of the Panchsheel Agreement between India and China?

The Panchsheel Agreement, signed between India and China in 1954, was based on five principles: mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. These principles aimed to promote peaceful and cooperative relations between the two countries.

What was Nehru's stance on nuclear disarmament, and how did it align with India's national interests?

Nehru was a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament, believing that no country should possess nuclear weapons. He supported international treaties like the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) to limit nuclear proliferation. However, Nehru also recognized the importance of developing nuclear technology for India's strategic interests and established the Department of Atomic Energy to ensure India could develop its own capabilities if necessary.

Why did some people criticize Nehru's idealism in foreign policy after the 1962 Sino-Indian War?

Nehru's idealism in foreign policy was criticized after the 1962 Sino-Indian War because his expectation that China would adhere to peaceful coexistence principles proved to be mistaken. The war exposed the limitations of his idealistic approach and led to calls for a more pragmatic and realistic foreign policy, capable of addressing emerging threats and protecting India's interests more effectively.

What lessons did Nehru learn from the 1962 Sino-Indian War, according to the video?

The 1962 Sino-Indian War taught Nehru several lessons, including the importance of being prepared for military conflicts and the limitations of idealism in foreign policy. It highlighted the need for a more balanced approach that combines idealistic principles with a realistic understanding of geopolitical dynamics and national security requirements.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Nehru's Foreign Policy: Relevance Today

The paragraph discusses the relevance of Nehru's foreign policy in the modern world, highlighting its foundational impact despite the vastly different geopolitical landscape. It draws parallels between Nehru's 1948 speech at the UN General Assembly and a recent speech by India's External Affairs Minister, suggesting that Nehru's approach to global issues continues to influence India's foreign policy today. The paragraph emphasizes Nehru's balance of idealism and realism, particularly in his handling of relations with Pakistan and the Kashmir issue.

05:03

🗺️ Nehru's Diplomacy with Pakistan: Balancing Challenges

This paragraph details Nehru's diplomatic efforts to manage relations with Pakistan, focusing on the complex Kashmir issue. Nehru's approach to resolving the Kashmir conflict at the UN is examined, including his decision to refer to Chapter Six of the UN Charter, which advocated for peaceful negotiations rather than military intervention. The paragraph also outlines key agreements like the Nehru-Liaquat Pact, the Nehru-Noon Pact, and the Indus Water Treaty, which were instrumental in maintaining relatively stable relations between the two countries despite ongoing tensions.

10:09

🤝 Nehru's Realistic Diplomacy with China

This paragraph explores Nehru's pragmatic approach to China, recognizing the country early to avoid confrontation. It explains Nehru's decision to overlook China's Five Finger and Palm Policy, which claimed Indian territories, in favor of fostering good relations. The Panchsheel Agreement of 1954, which established five principles for peaceful coexistence between India and China, is highlighted as a significant diplomatic achievement. However, the paragraph also foreshadows the deterioration of India-China relations, particularly after India's asylum to the Dalai Lama and China's subsequent refusal to recognize the McMahon Line.

15:14

⚔️ The 1962 Sino-Indian War: A Diplomatic Turning Point

This paragraph covers the escalation of tensions between India and China leading to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It discusses Nehru's Forward Policy, aimed at reclaiming territory near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and how it contributed to the conflict. The paragraph examines the criticism Nehru faced for his idealistic assessment of China and the humiliating defeat India suffered in the war. This event marked a significant turning point in India's foreign policy, leading to widespread questioning of Nehru's strategies and the beginning of the collapse of the Nehruvian consensus.

20:16

🌐 Non-Alignment Movement: Nehru's Strategic Vision

This paragraph delves into Nehru's Non-Alignment policy during the Cold War, which aimed to keep India independent from the influence of both the US and the USSR. The policy is presented as a means to protect India's sovereignty and foster economic and technological growth through engagement with multiple countries. The paragraph highlights the creation and impact of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), founded by leaders from India, Yugoslavia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Ghana. It also touches on the principles of NAM and its evolution into a major international institution.

☢️ Nehru's Nuclear Policy: Balancing Disarmament and Development

This paragraph explores Nehru's stance on nuclear disarmament and his efforts to position India as a leader in advocating for a nuclear-free world. It explains Nehru's strategic support for the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) while simultaneously working to develop India's nuclear capabilities through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The paragraph concludes by noting the challenges Nehru's foreign policy faced, particularly after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and sets the stage for discussing the reinvention of India's foreign policy in subsequent videos.

Keywords

💡Nehru's Foreign Policy

Nehru's Foreign Policy refers to the strategic approach adopted by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in managing the country's international relations post-independence. It emphasized non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and balancing idealism with realism. The video discusses the enduring relevance of this policy in shaping India's current foreign relations.

💡Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)

The Non-Alignment Movement was a diplomatic initiative spearheaded by Nehru, along with leaders from Yugoslavia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Ghana, to keep newly independent countries out of the Cold War's bipolarity. NAM advocated for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and equality, aiming to avoid alignment with either the US or USSR blocs during the Cold War.

💡Kashmir Issue

The Kashmir Issue refers to the territorial conflict between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Kashmir, which began soon after the partition of India in 1947. Nehru's decision to handle the issue as an international matter, involving the UN, and his conditional promise of a plebiscite are highlighted as crucial, yet controversial, aspects of his foreign policy.

💡Panchsheel Agreement

The Panchsheel Agreement, signed in 1954 between India and China, outlined five principles of peaceful coexistence. These included mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful co-existence. The agreement aimed to foster good relations between the two nations, though it was later tested during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

💡China's Five Fingers Policy

China's Five Fingers Policy was a strategic doctrine from the 1950s that claimed various territories surrounding Tibet, including Indian regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, as part of China's sphere of influence. Nehru initially ignored this policy, seeking to maintain good relations with China, but it later contributed to tensions culminating in the 1962 war.

💡Indus Water Treaty

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, was a water-distribution agreement brokered by the World Bank. It divided control over the rivers in the Indus basin, with India managing the eastern rivers and Pakistan the western ones. This treaty is often cited as a successful example of conflict resolution in the region.

💡Forward Policy

The Forward Policy was a strategy implemented by Nehru in 1961 to establish Indian military outposts near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. It aimed to assert India's territorial claims but is often criticized for provoking China and leading to the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

💡Nehru-Liaquat Pact

The Nehru-Liaquat Pact, signed in 1950, was an agreement between India and Pakistan to protect the rights of minorities in both countries in the aftermath of partition. It aimed to prevent forced migration and violence, thus stabilizing the relationship between the two nations during a turbulent period.

💡Nuclear Disarmament

Nuclear Disarmament was a key aspect of Nehru's foreign policy, where he advocated for the elimination of nuclear weapons globally. While supporting international treaties like the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), Nehru also laid the groundwork for India's nuclear program, balancing his idealistic vision with practical national interests.

💡1952 Bandung Conference

The 1955 Bandung Conference was a meeting of Asian and African states, many newly independent, which aimed to promote economic and cultural cooperation and oppose colonialism. It played a critical role in the formation of the Non-Alignment Movement, with Nehru being a prominent leader advocating for unity among these nations.

Highlights

The relevance of Nehru's foreign policy today is still significant, as it laid the foundation for India's current foreign policy approach.

Current External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's speech echoes Nehru's ideas from a 1948 UN General Assembly speech, highlighting continuity in India's foreign policy.

Nehru's balancing act between idealism and realism in dealing with Pakistan, especially concerning the Kashmir issue, set the tone for India's diplomatic strategies.

Nehru's decision to refer the Kashmir issue to the UN under Chapter Six rather than Chapter Seven of the UN Charter prevented international intervention in India's internal matters.

The Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950, aimed at protecting minorities and restoring confidence between India and Pakistan, was a significant diplomatic achievement.

The Nehru-Noon Pact of 1958 resolved the boundary dispute over the Berubari Union, establishing a precedent for constitutional amendments in India.

The Indus Water Treaty of 1960, signed between Nehru and Ayub Khan, successfully addressed the water-sharing disputes between India and Pakistan.

Nehru's early recognition of China in 1949 was a strategic move to avoid confrontation, reflecting his realistic approach to foreign policy.

The Panchsheel Agreement of 1954 between Nehru and Zhou Enlai emphasized five principles, including peaceful coexistence, which continues to influence India-China relations.

Despite the Panchsheel Agreement, the 1962 India-China war marked a significant failure in Nehru's idealistic foreign policy approach.

Nehru's policy of Non-Alignment during the Cold War allowed India to maintain independence from the influence of both the US and USSR.

The Non-Alignment Movement, co-founded by Nehru, became a significant international institution with over 120 member states.

Nehru's support for nuclear disarmament, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for India's nuclear capabilities, showcased his strategic foresight.

The 1962 war led to the collapse of the Nehruvian consensus in India's foreign policy, marking a turning point and leading to calls for a reinvention of India's approach.

Nehru's foreign policy faced challenges and criticisms, especially after the 1962 war, which led to a shift in India's diplomatic strategies in the years that followed.

Transcripts

It has been 58 years since India's first PM Nehru died

and we may say his foreign policy is approx 75 years old now

then you must have a question in your mind that what is the relevance of Nehru's foreign policy today?

you will say the then (Nehru's time) geopolitical conditions were different and today we have different geopolitical conditions

then you are underestimating the foundation of foreign policy that was laid by Nehru

To understand this, check out this viral speech of the current External Affairs Minister

you know somewhere Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems

But the world's problems are not Europe's problems

After this speech, let me show you a speech of Nehru

When I was reading Nehru's speeches for this video, I found this speech

He gave this speech in UN General Assembly in 1948

Let me show you the part of this speech...

Where Nehru said

That being the representative of Asia, I would say that we are also interested in European problems

But the world is bigger than Europe and you will not be able to solve the world's problems

by thinking that the problems of the world are mainly European problems

This speech is almost similar to Ext.Affairs Minsiter Jaishankar's

But had there been social media during Nehru's time, his speech, too, would have gone viral

In what ways the foreign policy of Nehru is still being continued

you will find ample articles on the internet

Even in the research journal Economic and Political Weekly The same thing will be found in

where Atul Bhardwaj says that the more he listens to Jaishankar, the more he

Becomes sure that even today, we are following Nehru's approach in dealing with Global Powers,

that is why it is important to know the foreign policy of Nehru, well then let's start today's video

Prime Minister Nehru, on a flying visit to the forward area, assures the jawan that the entire country is behind them.

He is greeted by UN officials, as he arrives at the UN General Assembly,

The choice is for peaceful co-existence or no existence at all.

First we will understand how did Nehru establish relations with Pakistan and

what challenges came in establishing these relations

While dealing with Pakistan, Nehru tries to create a balance between Idealism and Realism

however, it was a very challenging task because India and Pakistan had just gone through a violent partition in

which lakhs of people died, and crores of people became homeless, with this both these countries were newly formed

and they had to face border issues; the third and big thing was that Pakistan was

not a democracy, it was a military theocratic state, with which Nehru would deal,

then the first question that comes in establishing relation with Pakistan was the question

of Kashmir, like others, Kashmir too was an independent Princely State

However, the integration of other Princely States was being handled by Sardar Patel

but when it came to Kashmir, it was handled by Nehru and that in the capacity of an External Affair Minister

That gave the impression that Kashmir is an International dispute and

and not just a domestic issue for India. The country became independent only a few months ago, Pakistan

sent some tribal forces to attack Kashmir, then the ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh,

asks for help from India and India says that you will be helped only if you will integrate with us via Instrument of Accession.

Thus, the Instrument of Accession is signed on 26th October, 1947

But there was a controversial element in Instrument of Accession, what was that?

it was a conditional element in which Nehru puts condition that in the coming time We will hold a plebiscite and ask the people of Kashmir to know that

They want to live with India or want to remain independent.

This particular move of Nehru is said to be an idealistic move by the people and they say that this conditional element was unncessary. But

we see that when Pakistan and USA signed the SEATO military pact in 1954, then Nehru

refuses to hold any plebiscite in Kashmir because he says that now the situation is different,

the scenario has changed, now people called this move of Nehru as realistic move,

now we can see here how Nehru is balancing idealism and realism

when he is establishing relations with Pakistan,

another big question raises when the issue of Kashmir reaches UN. How does Nehru solve this issue there?

Some people were of the opinion that Nehru

referred to article 35 of Chapter Six of the UN Charter,

So, first of all, let's understand what that Chapter Six was

In Chapter Six, there was a provision that

If there is any problem with Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir, then it will be solved through dialogue or negotiation without using any force

But Chapter 7 is also there

which talks of using force while dealing with issues like Kashmir

Many people believed, had Chapter 7 been invoked then the issue of Kashmir would have been solved earlier

but Nehru did not agree with this point. Nehru clarified that invoking Chapter 7

would have meant inviting UN Peacekeeping forces to India.

This could jeopardise recently gained Indian independance. Becuase through UN peacekeeping force

Western power would again start interfering in the Indian sub-continent

Let's understand now what agreements Nehru made with Pakistan, due to which relations with Pakistan

did not deteriorate as much as it was appearing in Kashmiri issues.

to solve the refugee crisis Nehru Liaquat pact was signed

to solve boundary issues Nehru-Noon Pact was signed

and water sharing disputes

which had been going on for many years. To solve it, Indus Water Treaty was signed.

What were these pacts and treaty, let's understand this one by one

Let's first understand Nehru-Liaqat Pact of 1950

this pact was signed between Prime Minister Nehru and Pakistan's PM Liaquat Ali Khan in Delhi

This agreement was signed because minorities in India and Pakistan were facing violence

Muslims in India and Hindus in Pakistan, due to which it was happening that Hindus from Pakistan

were coming to India and Muslims from India went to Pakistan, it

This took the shape of the refugee crisis. This pact was signed to deal with this crisis.

In this pact, the first provision stated if the refugee wished to come to their home

and wanted to sell any of their property then they could do so

the second provision stated that the forced conversion would be considered unrecognized

The third provision stated that minorities would be given rights in their respective countries.

will give rights to whatever is in their country. Along with this, it was also said that minority commissions will also be established in

both the countries so that the rights of minorities could be protected; they should be

protected from violence in some way, and because of this pact, the confidence between Pakistan and India was restored.

Next, we will understand what was Nehru-Noon Pact, which was signed in 1958.

This pact was signed between Prime Minister Nehru and the then PM of Pakistan, Feroze Khan Noon

That's why it's called Nehru-Noon Pact. The pact aimed to resolve the boundary dispute of

Berubari Union, some of which India wanted to give Pakistan

and wanted some part to keep it to itself, but the Supreme Court of India completely disagreed to do something like

this is because they said that the Parliament of India does not have such power that it can

give any of its territories to another country, thus this is a famous judgment; the Berubari Union case.

The Supreme Court quotes Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, in which

It states that the Parliament has no such power. What does the Parliament

finally, do? it brings the Ninth Amendment Act in 1960 and the territory it

wanted to give to Pakistan is finally given to Pakistan, due to which this convention is also established in India,

That if India wants to give its territory to someone, then it

will bring an amendment to the constitution for that purpose and through that it can give it.

Now let's talk about another Important Treaty, i.e. Indus Water Treaty.

The water-sharing disputes between the two countries were solved by this treaty.

It was signed by PM Jawaharlal Nehru and the President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan, in 1960. It is

This treaty was brokered by World Bank

In this treaty, India keeps the control of 3 eastern rivers

and that three rivers were: first was Ravi, second was Beas and third was Sutlej

and Pakistan takes control of three western rivers, first Indus, second Chainab and third Jhelum

Carefully understand these divisions of river between Indian and Pakistan

because questions in exams are being repeatedly asked from this treaty

India makes Bhakra Nangal Dam in Satluj river and Jawaharlal Nehru dedicated this dam to the country, in 1963,

let us understand next that How did Nehru deal with China and what sort of challenges were there

China gained independence in 1949, there China gained independence and here India

recognized China, as an independent nation and India was one of the first few non-communist nation to recognize China

It's not a small thing to recognize other countries, it means that

after recognition, one country cannot only sign agreements or treaties with other countries but also establish embassies.

So first step is to recognize another country before starting any engagement

Although India recognized China early

But it was not the same case with Israel.

The question is why did India recognize China so early? what was so special about China? China was important because China

shared border with India, Nehru did not want that there should be any kind of confrontation with China

because he already knew that the relationship with Pakistan would be bad, but he did not want to take any chance with China

Thus, It was a Nehru's realistic move. He wanted to build good relations with China,

But China's Five Finger and Palm Policy of 1950s was there to spoil realtions, so that Five Finger Palm policy was

If one places hand on the map from China's side, then some territory will be claimed by China. Which also includes some of the Indian territories

Which were those terrioties that were claimed by China. Let's see it clearly

First, China claimed Tibet as her palm of hand

and five fingers that China claimed on map are: first is Ladakh, second is Nepal, third is Sikkim

fourth is Bhutan and the fifth territory is Arunachal. These were the territories that were claimed by China

even if China's intention was clear, Nehru ignored China's this policy

Because Nehru's idealistic assessment was to build good relations with China.

That's why China's Five Finger and Palm policy was simply ignored.

To build good relations with China, the Panchsheel agreement was brought by Nehru in 1954

This agreement was signed between Nehru and the Chinese premier Zhou-En-Lai

This agreement consisted of five (panch) principals (sheels), hence the name of Panchsheel was given

What were those five principles? first principle was to respect each other territories

Second prinicple was that two countries would not attack each other

and third was non-interference in internal affairs, the fourth was equality,

which meant that if any kind of dealing would be done, both would be dealing with each other as equal nations

No one would consider each other inferior or superior

so there should be equal dealing between two nations, equality should be of this level.

and fifth principle was peaceful co-existence

which meant that both countries would not involve in any kind of war or conflict. Both countries would remain peaceful.

Panchsheel agreement is so important for India-China relations

even today, after so many years, China wants to work on the agreement of Panchsheel,

to maintain good relations with India.

If I talk about good relations, then India-China's relations after the Panchsheel agreement,

Get better at such a level, that there was a time when Prime Minister Nehru visited China

and Chinese Primier comes to India and slogans were being raised in India that Hindi Chini are Bhai Bhai (Indian-Chinese are brothers)

It seemed as the relations of two countries were so good that they would not deteriorate at any time.

But geopolitics had something different to say

Yes... first do these things.. [laughs]

, big people may do such things

now the question comes, what went wrong, where did the relationship go bad? The year was 1959, when the Dalai Lama and thousands of

Tibetan refugees crossed the Tibetan border and came to india

and PM Nehru granted asylum to Dalai Lama on humanitarian grounds. He also went to meet him personally.

Why did china get angry after all these events?

China said that we claim Tibet as our territory and Dalai Lama is a separatist

which means Dalai Lama was doing those works in Tibet that China did not like

Basically, Dalai lama was working on splitting Tibet from China. China also said that if India in 1950

had given the recognition that China has suzerainty over Tibet and India herself called Tibet as 'Tibet region of China'

Even after recognising this, China argued that India was interfering in the internal affairs of china

And which was against the principles of the Panchsheel agreements.

That's what made China furious. China decided to take revenge for this.

It had been only a few months since India granted asylum to Dalai Lama

that China refused to recognize McMohan Line which defines border between India and China.

and for this China gave the justification, that the 1842 Peace treaty was signed between British India

and England. China was not an independent country at that time.

That's why China argued we don't recognize this treaty and any Mcmohan line of this treaty.

not only China refused to recognise Macmohan line but it also started stationing its army near Indian borders in a same way like it does today

Considering border situation of that time, Nehru brought Forward Policy in 1961

This policy aim was to establish new outposts of Indian Army near LAC

to reclaim territory occupied by China

But China did not like this move of India and it attacked the Indian outposts.

Some people blamed Nehru's forward policy for the India-China war of 1962

But how much can we blame Nehru's forward policy for the 1962 war? We will see it in the later part of this video.

in 1962 war, when China attacked on India, it was clear that Indian army was not prepared for this war.

Because it was Nehru's idealistic assessment that China would not attack India.

But on the contrary China did attack India.

Some people say that we can't blame only Nehru's forward policy for the 1962 war. It would be wrong to say that.

By saying so, we are not making China responsible for the War.

Even after knowing that China was also stationing its army near Indian territory.

In this war, India witnessed a humiliating defeat. Many Indian soldiers died in this war.

And after this war, the famous song of Lata Mangeshkar 'Ae mere watan ke logo' came out

listening to which PM Nehru became emotional. 1962 war taught many lessons to Nehru.

Let's understand Nehru's well-known policy of Non-alignment.

This policy was started when there was a cold war going on between the United States and the Soviet Union

Because of this war, whole world was divided into two camps. Some countries were following US and other were following USSR.

But Nehru decided to not join US or USSR

That India would remain non-align with any of the camp. And hence the name of policy was non-alignment.

Nehru wanted to protect the hard-won independence of India. That's why he brought this policy.

Nehru was of the opinion that if India would align with any of the two superpowers (US or USSR)

Then India would not be able to maintain its independence.

This also an interesting fact that the non-alignment word was coined by V.K. Krishna Menon

In his 1953 speech in the US after which the word 'non-alignment' became popular.

Non-alignment policy was used to be criticized for being neutral in foreign policy

Nehru justified that non-alignment does not mean neutrality.

According to Nehru, by following non-alignment we are protecting our independence and our national interest

Non-alignment does not mean India will not participate in any international events, rather it will actively participate.

But India will not get involved in the cold war politics of the US and USSR by choosing any one side. India will stay non-align.

Non-alignment policy was so influential that other newly independent countries started following it.

and non-alignment policy turned into non-alignment movement

So which were those countries that first followed this policy and became the founding father of the Non-Alignment Movement.

Josip Braz Tito from Yugoslavia, JL Nehru from India, Sukarno from Indonesia

Gamal Abdul Nasser from Egypt and Kwame Nkrumah from Ghana. All five known as father of Non-Alignment Movement

NAM took concrete shape at the Asia-Africa Bandung confernce held in 1955 in Indonesia.

The movement was finally founded at its first summit in Belgrade, Serbia (formerly Yogoslavia) in sept, 1961

What were the main principles of NAM?

Firs principle was to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

Second principle was to recognition of the equality of all races and nations. No nation or race would be labelled as backward or inferior

Third principle was non-intervention. That no one will interfere in the internal matters of newly independent countries.

No other country will be allowed to hold a dominant position or suppress these newly independent countries by interfering in their internal matters.

Today, NAM has become such an institution.

Which has 120 members state, 17 observer states and 10 international organisations at the observer level.

Were there any benefits of the Non-Alignment Movement? or were there any drawbacks? There were some benefits of NAM

If we talk about technology, then we can say Nehru because of this policy, brought technology to India from not only USA or UK

but also from other countries like Sweden, France, Germany, Japan and also the Soviet Union.

Similarly, if we talk of trade, India benefits from the Non-alignment policy.

India had maintained economic engagements in trade not only with Western countries but also with Eastern Europe countries.

Because of such good economic engagement, India signed its first trade agreement with USSR in 1953

India also opened Bhilai Steel Plant in 1955 with Soviet's help.

India wanted to take help from the USA and USSR to develop itself and protect its national interest.

But maintaining this balance of good relations with Western and Eastern countries was not easy. In fact, It was a very challenging task for Nehru.

Now let's talk about Nehru's view on nuclear disarmament.

What kind of nuclear policy did he find to protect India's interests?

Nehru believed that no country in the world should possess Nuclear weapons. In this way, Nehru appealed for Nuclear disarmament.

Nehru said India could take benefit from a Nuclear-free world

Because India gained independence recently

And India was a developing country, from this position only a nuclear-free world could have helped it.

This is where India could have a better call from a position of strength.

Nehru's support for Nuclear disarmament was at such a level that he instantly supported the PTBT treaty in 1963 proposed by USA and UK.

But Nehru did not follow all treaties of nuclear disarmament blindly.

Nehru was aware of the US intention to monopolize Nuclear technology.

So that the US could become the only nation with nuclear technology by refraining others from having this technology.

Nehru called this monopolizing intention of US as 'atomic colonialism'

Don't mistakenly assume that Nehru did not want to develop nuclear technology for India.

Instead, Nehru laid the foundation of the DAE (Department of Atomic Energy)

DAE was founded so that India could develop nuclear technology or perhaps nuclear weapons in the future.

Nehru tactically voiced for nuclear disarmament but also worked for making India a nuclear power.

At domestic level, Nehru was funding atomic projects and supporting Indian scientists to develop nuclear technology.

So Nehru's this foreign policy of nuclear disarmament was a success

We will see in our next videos that how this policy helped India to become nuclear power state.

But still Nehru's foreign policy faced many challenges.

The War of 1962 was a turning point for India's foreign policy.

After this war, Nehru lost his unchallenged position in India's foreign policy that he had been enjoying since India's independence

This is where foreign policy experts observed the collapse of the Nehruvian consensus in India's foreign policy.

People started challenging Nehru's foreign policy

They started questioning the efficacy of Non-alignment policy

They were of the opinion that Nehru's idealism would sink India's boat of foreign policy. That's why it needs to be rebuilt or reinvent.

So what was that rebuilt or reinvention in India's foreign policy? We will see that in our next video.

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If you liked this video, then I am sure you will also like this video

Where I have explained the evolution of India's nuclear policy from 1947 till today

This video will cover how, what, when, where of India's nuclear policy.

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