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(a) True.

Explanation- India’s nonalignment policy allowed it to remain neutral and not incline to any one of the superpowers. Thereby, India could remain unbiased and could ask for assistance from both US and USSR.

(b) False.

Explanation- India did not have strained relations with its neighbours ever since its inception. Yes, its relations with Pakistan were not harmonious since the beginning but India shared friendly relations with the rest of her neighbours. It was only a few years after independence that the otherwise friendly relationship of India with China was scarred by a conflict.

(c) true.

Explanation- after gaining independence, India remained nonaligned but Pakistan showed its inclination towards the US. Also, India had rather friendly relations with USSR. Therefore, both India and Pakistan had conflicting friendships which can be said to have had an effect on their relationship with each other.

(d) false.

Explanation- The treaty of Peace and Friendship was a treaty signed between India and USSR in 1971 with regard to mutual strategic cooperation. It was not a result of India's closeness with USSR.

a) The goal of India’s foreign policy in the period 1950-1964 – ii) Preservation of territorial integrity, sovereignty and economic development

Explanation- India was born in the background of the world war. After the world war, cold war ensued. The condition of the world was volatile. To preserve its independence and prevent itself from being recolonised, India had to choose a way of foreign policy where it could not only preserve its newly gained freedom but also sustain and strengthen it by strengthening the economy and claiming sovereignty. Therefore, India's foreign policy goal was the preservation of territorial integrity, sovereignty and economic development.

b) Panchsheel- iii) Five principles of peaceful coexistence

Explanation- Signed in 1954, Panchsheel was a treaty of noninterference in other’s internal affairs and respect for each other’s territorial unity, integrity and sovereignty. It was signed between China and India.

c) Bandung Conference- iv) Led to the establishment of NAM

Explanation- India as a country was against colonialism and made earnest efforts in decolonisation od Indonesia from Dutch. India was also against racial discrimination and condemned apartheid prevalent in South Africa. The Bandung conference, held in Bandung (Indonesia) highly improved relations between India and the newly independent nations of Asia and Africa. This conference lay the foundation stone of the nonaligned movement and established it.

d) Dalai Lama- i) Tibetan spiritual leader who crossed over to India

Explanation- In 1958, when there was an armed uprising in Tibet against China's occupation, the Chinese forces suppressed it. In the wake of the worsening situation, the Dalai Lama (the Tibetan spiritual leader) crossed over to Indian border and sought asylum which was granted.

Nehru Regarded conduct of foreign relations as an essential indicator of independence because it sets a country free to pursue its national interest. The reasons for this statement are as given below:

1) After the World War, there were two blocks led by US and soviet Union. NATO and the Warsaw Pact came into existence. The countries who had joined these alliances could not go against the US or Soviet Union or other members of the allainces. The clauses of the alliances were binding on them.

2) India did not join any group or alliance. So India could follow an independent policy . For example, in 1956 when britain attacked Egypt over the suez Canal issue, India led the world protest against this Neo-colonial invasion.  

It is true that the conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-way interaction between domestic compulsions and prevailing international climate. It is both, the domestic and the international scenarios, that affect framing of the foreign policy.

In 1962, the Indo-China conflict ensued regarding a dispute over the boundary between the nations in the Aksai Chin region in Ladakh and the North-East Frontier Agency (present-day Arunachal Pradesh). Domestically, India was an infant nation and its sovereignty and territorial integrity had to be protected at all costs. Internationally, the world was in a zone of cold war and many nations allied with any one of the two superpowers. After the war, India had to approach USA and Britain for military assistance to recover. Image of India was damaged internationally and domestically as well. Nehru was criticised for the naive assessment of Chinese intentions and for the first time a No-Confidence Motion against his government was moved and debated in the parliament. Defence Minister V.K. Menon gave his resignation after the conflict ended. This conflict showed India the volatility of its Northeast region and made it conscious of its national integrity.

Aspects of India's Foreign policy to be retained-

• India’s image of a peaceful and non-violent country is definitely an attribute ought to be retained. India by nature is a country that believes in non-violence as means to achieve its ends. India’s support for Indonesia's independence and also in the independence of various other African countries shows its character of peace, non-violence and sovereignty.

• India’s initiative of non-alignment is also a feature to be retained. The non-aligned initiative showed India's respect for sovereignty and independence.

Aspects to be changed-

• The three wars that India fought blurred its image of being a peaceful nation. Also, its image of being non-violent played a very little role.

• The wars faded in India's image among the newly independent African and South Asian countries that were now dubious about India. Also, conflicts between countries affected the functioning of the organisations like SAARC.

(a) Nehru was a propagator of science and had faith in science and technology in the rapid development of modern India. He did not believe in the violent use of nuclear energy, rather he believed in the usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. India conducted its first nuclear test in May 1974. He requested the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. Also, India refused to sign the Non-Proliferation treaty, being imposed upon the world by the five nuclear powers- US, UK, China, USSR and France as it considered it to be discriminatory. India was committed to the peaceful usage of nuclear technology.

(b) Nehru was his own foreign minister. He served as both, the prime minister as well as the foreign minister. He played a crucial role in setting the national agenda. He exercised formulation and implementation of foreign policies from 1946 to 1964. His main three objectives were- sovereignty, territorial integrity and rapid economic development. He strongly believed in the policy of nonalignbment. However, there were obviously certain parties and groups in the country that thought otherwise and preferred aligning with one particular power bloc. There was one section that preferred the US because it was a democratic nation. Dr. Ambedkar believed the same. Other political parties that opposed communism also favored the US and wanted India to follow pro-US foreign policy. However, Nehru possessed considerable leeway in formulating his policies.

India fought three wars in a space of ten years between 1962 and 1972. This was not a failure of the foreign policy but these wars were a result of an international situation. The reasons for these wars were as given below:

1. India had outstanding disputes with China in the Aksai-Chin area and NEFA. In 1962 when the Cuban-Missile Crisis had drawn the attention of the whole world, China found an opportunity to invade India on both the disputed region. This led to war between India and China.
2. In 1965, there was war with Pakistan over the question of Kashmir. Pakistan had probably hoped that India had already been defeated by China, it would be easy to defeat India again. Pakistani rulers were also hoping to get support from the local population in Kashmir. This, however, did not happen and India defeated Pakistan.
3. The third war in 1971 was involved in the question of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, where people were fighting a freedom struggle against Pakistan rulers. So this was a result of an internal conflict of Pakistan and not the failure of India’s foreign policy.

India has always been a nation with a rich history and culture. India holds an important place in Asia and is the biggest democracy in the world. India was rich in both demographic and natural resources. It was a large territory and had all the capabilities of becoming a leading nation. This aspiration was also reflected in the Bangladesh War of 1971.

When there was a split verdict in Pakistan with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto from West Pakistan and sheik Mujib ur Rahman winning the respective elections, Pakistan didn't support the win of Sheik Mujib and in an undemocratic move, it attacked East Pakistan. Reign of terror was unleashed. Hordes of refugees started inflowing to India and India had to extend help to the homeless and battle stricken refugees and had to provide them moral and material in their struggle for freedom. Pakistan accused India of conspiracy. While India was busy tackling refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan attacked India on the western borders. However, it could not catch the Indian army off guard. The Indian army, at its heels, gave an appropriate response, defeating the Pakistani army. The Pakistani army general surrendered in front of the Indian general and as many as 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken by India as prisoners of war. Bangladesh became a free nation.

Such exemplary courage and tactics of India were aspiring and showed the signs of a nation that wasn’t scared of any mishappenings occurring in its course. People saw this event as a moment of great glory and Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Indian prime minister, gained popular support.

Thus, it can be said that India’s foreign policy reflected her desire to be an important regional power in the region.

Political leadership of a nation reflects its foreign policy. This can be explained with the following examples from India's foreign policy:

a) India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru played an extremely important role in setting the national agenda. He was a major influence in the formulation and implementation of India's foreign policy from 1946 to 1964.

b) The objectives of his foreign policy were three fold- sovereignty, protection of territorial integrity and the promotion of economic development.

c) He wished to achieve these through the policy of nonalignment. This was frowned upon by a few leaders who favoured a pro-US foreign policy.

d) His influence was considerable and he kept a distance from both the superpowers

e) Many prominent leaders have supported him in this policy. Lal Bahadur Shastri gave him immense support during this. He gave the slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan during the 1965 war with Pakistan and the issue of food shortage in India.

f) Indira Gandhi brought a Revolutionary change in India's foreign policy. She signed a Treaty of friendship in 1971 wit the Soviet Union. This decision was heavily criticized by many. However, this was done in the backdrop of the crisis in East Pakistan. But in reality, this did not affect its good relations with the US or any other country. However, India remained non aligned throughout the cold war.

g) In 1977 Janta Party came in the power. It announced that it would also follow a genuine form of non-alignment. It entered into a decision to make a better relationship with China and US.

h) In 1990, Russia lost its global importance. India's foreign policy then shifted toward a pro-US strategy.

i) Sincere attempts were also made to restore relations with Pakistan. Successful development also took place in this regard.

j) Currently, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India has formed successful ties with many countries. It is also trying to form a balance between the US and Russia.

Political leadership greatly influences the foreign policy of a country. It can either build a strong patriotic country or it can build a weak and divided country. It can also build a strong collision buy fostering common interests or build a powerful military and can even strengthen its technological abilities.