The Constitutional Principle

[kandwal]

The Constitutional Principle
Article 51 of the Indian Constitution Lays down some Directive Principles of State Policy on Promotion of International Peace and Security. The state shall endeavour to-
Promote international peace and security.
Maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
Foster respect for international law and Treaty obligations in the dealings of organised people with one another,
Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration
Panchsheel
Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, were first formally iterated in the Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet region of China and India signed on April 29, 1954, which stated, in its preamble, that the two Governments “have resolved to enter into the present Agreement based on the following principles: –
Respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
Mutual non-aggression,
Mutual non-interference,
Equality and mutual benefit, and
Peaceful co-existence.
Non Alignment
Non-alignment has been an important feature of India’s foreign policy. The aim of Non-alignment was to maintain national independence in foreign affairs.

Non-alignment was neither neutrality nor non-involvement nor isolationism. It was a dynamic concept. Furthermore, Non-Alignment gained popularity in the developing countries.

Consequently, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world.
Anti Colonialism
India has always opposed colonialism and racism. When injustice happened, India raised voice against it, for instance-
in favour of Indonesia’s nationality fighting the Dutch colonialism in 1947,
against South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia
Consequently, India was the staunch supporter of the decolonization process. These are testimonials to the fact that India opposed colonialism.
Afro Asian Unity
India established good relations with other newly independent states in Asia and Africa, throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Notably, Nehru was an ardent advocate of Asian Unity. As a result, Under his leadership, India convened the Asian relation conference in March 1947.
As stated earlier, India also made honest efforts for the early realisation of freedom of Indonesia from the Dutch colonial region. Also, India convened an international conference in 1949 to support the freedom struggle of Indonesia.
Furthermore, the Asian conference held in the Indonesian city of Bandung in 1955 commonly known as the Bandung conference marked India’s engagement with the newly independent Asian and African Nations. Later, the Bandung conference led to the establishment of the NAM.
Anti Racism
India firmly believes in the equality of all human beings. Her policy is aimed at opposition to all form of racial discrimination.

India firmly opposed the infamous apartheid policy in South Africa. Not only India had cut off diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1949 but also used her influence in the application of comprehensive sanctions (later) against the white minority racist Regime of South Africa.

Foreign Economic Aid
After independence, India realised the importance of economic development. Also, it knew the limitations of herself. India was lacking funds, technical know-how and machinery.

By adopting NAM policy, India killed two birds with one stone. Amazingly, India took the best of both the worlds. Moreover, India approached USSR and USA for help and it went well for India. USSR helped India with technology. Also, USA came up with grains in 1965 famines.

So these were some of the basic principles of Indian foreign policy. If you have any doubts ask me in the comment section below or DM on