Nehruvian Era

Nehruvian Era

During the Nehruvian era, Jawaharlal Nehru played a crucial role in shaping India’s foreign policy. As both the Prime Minister and the first foreign minister of the country for an extended period, Nehru formulated a foreign policy that left a lasting impact even after seventy years of independence. Nehru’s foreign policy was characterized by a mix of idealism and pragmatism.

Idealism and Non-Alignment

N ehru was considered an idealist at heart, and his foreign policy seemed to align more with his moralistic worldview than the immediate national interests of the country.

The onset of the Cold War presented challenges, but Nehru, along with nations like Egypt, Indonesia, and Yugoslavia, embraced the policy of non-alignment. Non-alignment stood for the independence of developing countries in making autonomous decisions irrespective of the positions taken by the two power blocs.

Nehru’s commitment to Afro-Asian solidarity influenced his stance against imperialism and colonialism.

Panchsheel and Neighbour Relations

The doctrine of 'Panchsheel' consisting of principles like respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, noninterference, mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence, guided India’s relations with its neighbours.

Nehru believed in the principles of 'Panchsheel' and assumed that countries, particularly China, would adhere to them. However, this idealism led to consequences, such as the Chinese Invasion in 1962.

Nehruvian Consensus

The concept of ‘Nehruvian Consensus’ emerged around the ideals and principles developed during India’s struggle for freedom. It included anti-racism, anti-apartheid, and anti-imperialism.

Nehru combined Gandhian values with the vision of a modern, sovereign India on the path to rapid economic development.

The consensus supported multilateral institutions, international law, collective security, diplomacy, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Changes in the 1970s:

By the 1970s, the international landscape had changed. The space for non-alignment had shrunk, and the Cold War had intensified.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, more of a pragmatist, shifted towards ‘realpolitik,’ and India’s capabilities had grown both militarily and economically.

The signing of the Indo-Soviet defence treaty in 1971, the liberation of Bangladesh, and the Pokhran nuclear tests marked a departure from the Nehruvian Consensus