Question
How does political leadership of a nation affect its foreign policy ? Explain this with the help of examples from India’s foreign policy.
Solution
The political leadership of a nation reflects its foreign policy. For example, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru played a crucial role in setting the national agenda. He exercised profound influence in the formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy from 1946 to 1964.
The objectives of his policy were to preserve the sovereignty, protect territorial integrity and promote rapid economic development. He tried to achieve these objectives by the policy of non-alignment. There were leaders who favoured a pro-US foreign policy. But Nehru’s influence was considerable and he had his own way and followed a policy of non-alignment. He kept distance from both the camps. He took an independent stand on various issues and could get assistance from both two blocs. He was in favour of Afro-Asian Unity. It was under his leadership that India convened the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947 i.e., five months ahead of attaining its independence.
The objectives of his policy were to preserve the sovereignty, protect territorial integrity and promote rapid economic development. He tried to achieve these objectives by the policy of non-alignment. There were leaders who favoured a pro-US foreign policy. But Nehru’s influence was considerable and he had his own way and followed a policy of non-alignment. He kept distance from both the camps. He took an independent stand on various issues and could get assistance from both two blocs. He was in favour of Afro-Asian Unity. It was under his leadership that India convened the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947 i.e., five months ahead of attaining its independence.
