Hello, students, my name is Sejal and today we are starting with a chapter number 2, India’s Foreign Policy. In the last chapter we learnt the meaning of foreign policy and the factors that affects it. In this chapter we are going to study the background and the features of India’s foreign policy.

Let us understand the background. India’s foreign policy has been influenced by the idea of peace. Mahatma Gandhi, children, is a symbol of peace and tolerance which comes from our ancient history. The Indian culture teaches us that the whole world is like a family ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’. This is also expressed through our foreign policy. The principles of international peace and understanding which emerged from Indian’s freedom struggle have also influenced our foreign policy. On the 15^th of August, 1947, India got her independence. As an independent nation, it was necessary for India to decide on her own foreign policy.  However the broad outline of the foreign policy had been decided in the pre-Independence period itself. Let us see, what were they, opposition to colonialism. What is colonialism, children? It means capturing other countries and making it a colony. Why opposition to colonialism? Because India was a victim of it for a long time.  Co-operation with peace loving nations. Opposition to any distinction on the basis of race or colour. Supporting the freedom struggles in other countries. Striving to establish world peace.

As a head of the interim government, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had given a speech on 7^th September, 1946, in which he had clearly stated the objectives of India’s foreign policy. Interim means temporary. He stressed on the need to formulate an independent foreign policy not falling prey to the pressures of the other nations. Formulate means to make, whereas prey means victim.

Constitutional Provisions – after gaining independence, India started formulating her own independent foreign policy. The basic objective of our foreign policy is to protect the independence of the nation and to preserve our territorial integrity. Territorial integrity means safeguarding our borders. Article 51 of directive principles of the Constitution of India guides us how we should conduct our international affairs and transactions. The article states the principle of our foreign policy. They are to promote international peace and security. Second is to maintain just and honourable relations between nations. To foster respect for international law. To encourage the resolving of international issues peacefully through tribunals means court of law.