Answer: The foreign policy of a nation reflects the interplay of domestic and external factors. Indian foreign policy has been influenced by ideals that inspired India’s freedom struggle. The three major objectives of India’s foreign policy were to preserve its sovereignty, protect territorial integrity, and promote rapid economic development. India sought to achieve these objectives through the strategy of non-alignment. But India’s independence coincided with the beginning of the Cold War era. India’s leadership had to pursue its national interests within the prevailing rivalry between two superpowers, the US and the USSR. These circumstances, as underlying currents, influencing India’s foreign policy are evident from following factors: Peace and Conflict with China India was one of the first countries to recognise the communist government in China. The joint enunciation of Panchsheel on 29 April 1954 was a step in the direction of stronger relationship between the two countries. However, this relationship soured owing to two instances.

• First, after the annexation of Tibet, their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, sought and obtained political asylum in India. The asylum was granted owing to support for Tibet’s cause for independence from many political leaders and parties in India including the Socialist Party and the Jan Sangh.
• Secondly, the war in October 1962 on the disputed regions of Aksai-chin in Ladakh and much of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, dented India’s image at home and abroad. India had to approach the Americans and the British for military assistance to tide over the crisis. The Soviet Union remained neutral during the conflict.

Conflict with Pakistan Pakistan emerged as a critical factor in India’s relations with USA and subsequently with China. While India was trying to convince the other developing countries about the policy of non- alignment, Pakistan joined the US-led military alliances.

• Despite the proxy war in Kashmir in 1947, the governments of India and Pakistan worked closely. For instance, the long-term dispute about sharing of river waters was resolved through the 1960 Indus Waters treaty. However, a more serious armed conflict ensued in the form of the India-Pakistan war in 1965. The hostilities came to an end with the UN intervention and later with the signing of the Tashkent Agreement, brokered by the Soviet Union, in January 1966.
• Similarly, before the Bangladesh liberation war, India signed a 20-year Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the Soviet Union in August 1971 to counter the US-Pakistan-China axis. This treaty assured India of Soviet support if the country faced any attack.

Indo-US relations: The Indo-US Education Foundation was formulated in 1966 during Indira Gandhi’s first visit to the US as the PM, but could not materialize due to strong opposition in India. This was because America had suspended aid to India in 1965 at the time of the Indo-Pak war. The visit helped India secure more food and development aid from the US. However, India resented the US policy of food aid as a tool in forcing India to adopt policies favored by the US and India resolutely refused to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This was done despite India’s heavy dependence on US food aid in the 1960’s. Thus the conduct of foreign relations involves a careful balancing act between both domestic compulsions and prevailing international situations.