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The Cold War Era
Question
What was India's foreign policy towards the US and USSR during the Cold War era ? Do you think that this policy helped India’s interests ?
Solution
India's foreign policy towards the US and USSR during the Cold War era was as given below :
(i) It stayed away from the two alliances.
(ii) It raised its voice against the newly decolonised countries from becoming part of these alliances.
(iii) India favoured active intervention in world affairs to soften Cold War rivalries. It, therefore, tried to reduce the differences between Russia and USA and prevented differences from escalating into a full-scale war. For example, India mediated in the Korean war in the early 1950s.
(iv) India followed a policy of balancing one superpower against the other. If India felt ignored or unduly pressurised by one superpower, it tilted towards the other. Neither USA nor Russia could take India for granted nor bully it.
(v) In August, 1971 India signed the Treaty of Friendship with the USSR for 20 years. However it was not for joining the Soviet Bloc still it needed diplomatic and possibly military support during the Bangladesh crisis. It also did not stop India from having good relations with the USA. However it may be added that the USA was not happy about India's independent initiatives and policy of non-alignment. Therefore, there was a considerable unease in Indo-US relations during the 1950s. The US also resented India's growing partnershipwith the Soviet Union.
(Vi) This policy helped India's interest because it was able to get financial and other help from the USA as well as USSR for its developmental programmes.
(i) It stayed away from the two alliances.
(ii) It raised its voice against the newly decolonised countries from becoming part of these alliances.
(iii) India favoured active intervention in world affairs to soften Cold War rivalries. It, therefore, tried to reduce the differences between Russia and USA and prevented differences from escalating into a full-scale war. For example, India mediated in the Korean war in the early 1950s.
(iv) India followed a policy of balancing one superpower against the other. If India felt ignored or unduly pressurised by one superpower, it tilted towards the other. Neither USA nor Russia could take India for granted nor bully it.
(v) In August, 1971 India signed the Treaty of Friendship with the USSR for 20 years. However it was not for joining the Soviet Bloc still it needed diplomatic and possibly military support during the Bangladesh crisis. It also did not stop India from having good relations with the USA. However it may be added that the USA was not happy about India's independent initiatives and policy of non-alignment. Therefore, there was a considerable unease in Indo-US relations during the 1950s. The US also resented India's growing partnershipwith the Soviet Union.
(Vi) This policy helped India's interest because it was able to get financial and other help from the USA as well as USSR for its developmental programmes.
Some More Questions From The Cold War Era Chapter
NAM was considered a ‘third option’ by Third World countries. How did this option benefit their growth during the peak of the Cold War ?
What do you think about the statement that NAM has become irrelevant today. Give reasons to support your opinion.
Which super-power were the centre of the Cold War ?
Who was the President of Cuba at the time of the Cuban Missile crisis ?
Who was the Prime Minister of the Soviet Union in 1962 ?
Who was the President of the USA in 1962 at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis ?
What was Cold War ?
Mention five names of the founders of NAM.
Correct the following :
Kwame Nkrumah was the First President of Indonesia.
Who was the first President of Indonesia?
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