Important Principles of India’s Foreign Policy are given below:
They are in the form of guidelines to the policy makers through which India carries out its foreign relations. In essence, they are the means through which national interest is sought to be protected and promoted.
Image Source: synergymediaspecialists.com
(i) Non-Alignment:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
It is India’s gift to the world and has been one of the main principles which have remained integral part of India’s foreign policy even after the end of cold war.
The vitality of non-alignment can be realized from the fact that it has not only helped in securing friendship and cooperation, promoting world peace, etc; but ensured independence on foreign policy issues. India and NAM countries played a vital role in cold war politics by acting as a third force to reduce the tension
(ii) Opposition to Colonialism and Imperialism:
Being subjected to colonial subjugation for about 200 years, India firmly stands in opposition to any form of colonialism and imperialism. It is with this line of thinking that India played a major role in liberating the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa from colonial shackles.
(iii) Supporting U.N. in Achieving World Peace:
India is one of the founding members of the UN (1945). She has played a major role in its instrumentality to achieve world peace. She has always advocated that resolution of international disputes be done under the purview of U.N.
(iv) Fairness of Means:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Inspired by the ideas of Gandhi, India has always emphasised that fair means should be used in the resolution of international disputes. She has advocated use of peaceful and non-violent methods and opposes war, aggression and power politics. Panchsheel is an outgrowth of this line of thinking.
(v) Friendship with All Countries:
Without being committed to military alliances, India has opted for cultivating friendly relations with other countries. For this purpose she has concluded treaties and bilateral agreements in the fields of politics, economy, culture or science and technology.