Indian Foreign Policy: Basic Features; India and its Neighbours - China, Pakistan
Multiple Choice Questions with Answers
What was a core principle of India's foreign policy during the Cold War era?
a) Alignment with the USA
b) Alignment with the USSR
c) Non-Alignment
d) Formation of military blocs
Answer: c) Non-Alignment
Who was the architect of India's non-alignment policy?
a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
b) Mahatma Gandhi
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: c) Jawaharlal Nehru
Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence, was signed between India and which country in 1954?
a) Pakistan
b) China
c) Nepal
d) Russia
Answer: b) China
Which of the following is NOT a basic feature of India's foreign policy?
a) Promotion of world peace
b) Anti-colonialism and anti-racism
c) Forming permanent military alliances
d) Support for disarmament
Answer: c) Forming permanent military alliances
The Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in which year?
a) 1965
b) 1971
c) 1972
d) 1999
Answer: c) 1972
The Tashkent Agreement (1966) was signed to resolve issues after the war between India and:
a) China
b) Bangladesh
c) Sri Lanka
d) Pakistan
Answer: d) Pakistan
Which Indian Prime Minister visited China in 1988, leading to a significant thaw in relations?
a) Indira Gandhi
b) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
c) Rajiv Gandhi
d) P.V. Narasimha Rao
Answer: c) Rajiv Gandhi
The term "Look East Policy" (now Act East Policy) primarily focuses on strengthening India's ties with:
a) West Asian countries
b) African countries
c) Southeast Asian countries and East Asia
d) European Union countries
Answer: c) Southeast Asian countries and East Asia
Which issue has been a persistent point of contention between India and Pakistan?
a) Trade disputes in the Arabian Sea
b) Sharing of Ganga waters
c) The Kashmir issue
d) Border disputes in the Sunderbans
Answer: c) The Kashmir issue
The 1962 Sino-Indian War was primarily triggered by a dispute over:
a) Maritime boundaries
b) Tibet
c) Border areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh
d) Water sharing of the Brahmaputra River
Answer: c) Border areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh
India conducted its first nuclear test (Pokhran-I) in which year, demonstrating its commitment to self-reliance in security?
a) 1964
b) 1971
c) 1974
d) 1998
Answer: c) 1974
What is the primary role of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) in India's foreign policy towards its neighbours?
a) Military alliance against China
b) Promoting regional cooperation and development
c) Regulating international trade with Europe
d) Facilitating cultural exchange with Africa
Answer: b) Promoting regional cooperation and development
The Kartarpur Corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, facilitating pilgrimage for which community?
a) Hindu
b) Muslim
c) Sikh
d) Buddhist
Answer: c) Sikh
Doklam standoff (2017) was a military standoff between India and China near the trijunction border with which country?
a) Nepal
b) Myanmar
c) Bhutan
d) Bangladesh
Answer: c) Bhutan
India's foreign policy advocates for a multi-polar world order. What does this mean?
a) A world dominated by one superpower
b) A world where power is concentrated in multiple centers
c) A world with no international organizations
d) A world where military alliances are abolished
Answer: b) A world where power is concentrated in multiple centers
Which country is a permanent member of the UN Security Council that India aims to gain a permanent seat in?
a) Germany
b) Japan
c) China
d) Brazil
Answer: c) China (Note: While China is a permanent member, the question implies India's aspiration for a UNSC seat, not specifically relating to China's current status beyond being a UNSC member). The most direct answer here is 'China' among the given options, representing a UNSC P5 member.
The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) is a water-sharing agreement between India and:
a) Bangladesh
b) Nepal
c) Pakistan
d) Afghanistan
Answer: c) Pakistan
What was the objective of India's role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971?
a) To expand Indian territory
b) To support democracy and stop atrocities by Pakistan's military
c) To establish a military base
d) To gain control over maritime routes
Answer: b) To support democracy and stop atrocities by Pakistan's military
India's policy towards Tibet has generally been one of:
a) Supporting Tibetan independence openly
b) Recognizing Tibet as an integral part of China
c) Non-interference in Tibetan affairs
d) Advocating for a UN mandate in Tibet
Answer: b) Recognizing Tibet as an integral part of China
Which principle emphasizes resolving international disputes through peaceful means, a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy?
a) Military intervention
b) Unilateralism
c) Peaceful Coexistence
d) Economic sanctions only
Answer: c) Peaceful Coexistence
Short Questions
1.What are the main features of India's foreign policy?
India's foreign policy is largely characterized by its historical commitment to Non-Alignment, advocating for strategic autonomy without aligning with any major power bloc during the Cold War. It champions peaceful coexistence and the settlement of international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, as exemplified by the Panchsheel principles. Disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, has been a consistent goal. India also strongly supports anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and advocates for a just and equitable world order, actively participating in multilateral forums like the United Nations. In recent decades, economic diplomacy and strengthening relations with its neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood have also become prominent features.
2. What are the main goals of Indian foreign policy?
The main goals of Indian foreign policy revolve around safeguarding national interest, which includes preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty. A crucial objective is to promote India's economic development by fostering trade, attracting investments, and securing access to technology and energy resources. India also aims to maintain regional stability and promote global peace and security, advocating for a multi-polar world order. Protecting the interests of the large Indian diaspora abroad is another significant goal. Ultimately, India seeks to enhance its global standing and play a constructive role in addressing international challenges like climate change, terrorism, and reforms of global governance institutions.
3. Define Panchsheel.
Panchsheel refers to the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," which formed the bedrock of India's foreign policy, especially in its early years, and were formalized in an agreement with China in 1954. These principles are: 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. Advocated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Panchsheel aimed to establish a framework for friendly relations between newly independent nations and promote peace in a world often characterized by Cold War rivalries. While their application faced challenges, particularly with China, these principles continue to influence India's diplomatic approach.
4. What is the Non-Alignment Movement?
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a forum of countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Founded in 1961, with India as a key founding member alongside Yugoslavia's Tito, Egypt's Nasser, Indonesia's Sukarno, and Ghana's Nkrumah, its primary objective was to advance the interests of developing countries during the Cold War's bipolar confrontation. NAM sought to provide an independent voice for newly decolonized nations, enabling them to make foreign policy decisions based on their national interests rather than Cold War allegiances. It championed principles like self-determination, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes, playing a crucial role in decolonization and democratization of international relations.
5. Write about the Tashkent Agreement.
The Tashkent Agreement was a peace accord signed on January 10, 1966, between India's Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan's President Muhammad Ayub Khan, mediated by Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The agreement aimed to formally end the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and restore normal and peaceful relations between the two countries. Key provisions included the withdrawal of all armed personnel to their positions prior to August 5, 1965, reaffirmation of non-interference in internal affairs, and the restoration of diplomatic relations. Although it led to de-escalation of immediate hostilities and troops withdrawal, it faced criticism in both countries for not addressing the core Kashmir issue more definitively.
6. What are the main features of India's neighbourhood policy?
India's neighbourhood policy, historically rooted in principles of goodwill and cooperation, aims to foster stable, friendly, and mutually beneficial relationships with its immediate neighbours. A key feature is the "Neighbourhood First Policy," emphasizing enhanced connectivity (physical, digital, people-to-people), economic cooperation through trade and investment, and capacity building. India seeks to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue, avoiding interference in internal affairs while being sensitive to neighbours' concerns. It also provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, positioning itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. The policy recognizes that India's growth and stability are intrinsically linked to the peace and prosperity of its neighbourhood.
7. What are the main features of the Shimla Agreement?
The Shimla Agreement was a landmark peace treaty signed on July 2, 1972, between India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan's President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, following the 1971 Indo-Pak War and the creation of Bangladesh. Its main features included the commitment of both countries to resolve their differences through peaceful bilateral negotiations, eschewing the use of force or external intervention. It stipulated the withdrawal of troops to their side of the international border and mandated that the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir should be respected by both sides, without prejudice to their recognized positions. The agreement aimed to normalize relations, prevent future conflicts, and lay the foundation for a durable peace, recognizing Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
8. What is the Lahore Declaration?
The Lahore Declaration was a bilateral agreement signed on February 21, 1999, by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, Pakistan. It aimed to de-escalate tensions and build confidence between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in the wake of their nuclear tests in 1998. Key features included reaffirming the commitment to the Shimla Agreement, working to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear weapon use, and expressing determination to implement confidence-building measures. Both leaders recognized that an environment of peace and security was essential for the socio-economic development of their people. Though significant in its symbolism of dialogue, its momentum was unfortunately short-lived due to the Kargil conflict later that year.
9. Describe the Kashmir problem.
The Kashmir problem is a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, rooted in the partition of British India in 1947. Both countries claim the entirety of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, but control different parts. India administers approximately 45% (Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Ladakh), Pakistan controls about 35% (Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan), and China holds about 20% (Aksai Chin). The issue has led to multiple wars (1947, 1965, 1971, Kargil 1999) and ongoing cross-border terrorism. It is characterized by differing historical interpretations, UN resolutions, bilateral agreements (like Shimla), and significant human rights concerns, making it a complex geopolitical flashpoint with deep emotional and strategic implications for both nations.
10. What are the major irritants of India-China relations?
Major irritants in India-China relations include the long-standing and undemarcated boundary dispute, particularly in the Aksai Chin region and Arunachal Pradesh, which led to the 1962 war and continues to cause military standoffs. China's growing strategic encirclement of India through its "String of Pearls" policy, increasing influence in South Asia (e.g., Pakistan, Sri Lanka), and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through disputed territory, are significant concerns. Divergent views on Tibet and the Dalai Lama also create friction. Furthermore, trade imbalances favouring China, its resistance to India's permanent membership in the UNSC and NSG, and increasingly assertive Chinese actions in the Indo-Pacific contribute to the complex and often tense bilateral relationship.
Long Questions
1. Briefly discuss India's relations with Pakistan.
India's relations with Pakistan have been historically complex and often strained, primarily due to the unresolved Kashmir dispute since the 1947 Partition. This core issue has led to multiple wars (1947, 1965, 1971, Kargil 1999) and persistent cross-border terrorism, which India consistently highlights as a major impediment to peace. Despite various diplomatic efforts like the Shimla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999) aimed at fostering bilateral dialogue and confidence-building, progress remains elusive due to deep-seated mistrust and Pakistan's alleged support for extremist groups. While cultural and people-to-people ties exist, the relationship frequently oscillates between periods of tension and limited engagement, underscoring the challenges in achieving lasting peace and normalization.
2. Write an essay on India-China relations.
India-China relations are characterized by a complex mix of cooperation and competition, rooted in a shared ancient history but marked by modern geopolitical realities. While both nations are emerging economic powers and members of BRICS, their relationship is frequently overshadowed by the unresolved border dispute, particularly in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, which led to the 1962 war and recent military standoffs like Doklam and Galwan. China's growing influence in South Asia, including its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and close ties with Pakistan, raises strategic concerns for India. Despite these irritants, economic engagement, especially trade, has grown significantly, though India faces a substantial trade deficit. Both countries also find common ground on global issues like climate change and advocating for a multi-polar world. Managing this intricate relationship requires continuous diplomatic engagement to balance cooperation with addressing core differences.
