NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science, Chapter 4 - India's External Relations

In the previous chapters, you studied about the challenges faced by India immediately after independence within the country. In this chapter, you’ll study the challenges and difficulties faced by India in developing its relations with other countries. You’ll study about India’s adoption of the policy of non-alignment, thus joining neither of the two camps US and USSR, signing treaties for Afro-Asian unity, building strong relations with other Asian countries under Nehru’s leadership, initial friendly relations with China, gradually leading to conflicts and Sino-India war in 1962, conflicts with Pakistan over Kashmir, full-fledged war with Pakistan in 1965 and finally the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.  You’ll also study about India’s developing nuclear policy strongly advocated by Nehru for peaceful purposes.

Thus, an in-depth study of Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 will give you a good understanding of India’s External Relations.

Let’s take a look at topics and sub-topics of Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 – India’s External Relations

• International Context

• The Policy of Non-Alignment

• Nehru’s Role

• Distance from two camps

• Afro Asian Unity

• Peace and Conflict with China

• The Chinese Invasion, 1962

• Wars and Peace with Pakistan

• Bangladesh War, 1971

• India’s Nuclear Policy

In Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4, you will learn – 

International Context – In this section, you will study about free India’s foreign policy, problems and challenges faced by India in restoring foreign connections and relations, Directive Principles of State Policy and various environments influencing the foreign policy of India.

The Policy of Non-Alignment – In this section, you’ll learn about the policy of non-alignment, the Indian National Movement, crucial role played by Nehru in setting the nation’s agenda, his strong influence in the formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy, objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy, Nehru’s influence on Asian affairs and Bandung Conference for Afro-Asian Unity.

Peace and Conflict with China – In this section, you’ll learn about the initial friendly relations between India and China under Nehru’s leadership, signing of the joint enunciation of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence, in 1954, reasons of deteriorating relations between India and China, China’s invasion in India in October 1962, no-confidence motion against Nehru’s government, growing challenges of the north-east region of India and the Bangladesh war, 1971. You’ll also study about the large scale war between India and Pakistan in December in 1971, India’s victory over Pakistan, signing of the Shimla Agreement for peace, Indira Gandhi’s rising popularity as a leader and Prime Minister of India.

India’s Nuclear Policy – In this section, you’ll come across the first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974, generation of atomic energy for peaceful purposes under Nehru’s leadership, rise in oil prices and inflation in the country due to Arab-Israel War in 1973 and more.

In this chapter, you are provided with several maps, images and quotes given by famous leaders to have a clear understanding of India’s External Relations. To know more about Political Science Chapter 4 you should explore the exercises mentioned in this chapter. You can also download India’s External Relations PDF, solved by our experts.