Foreign Policy of India | National Defence and Security
India's foreign policy is shaped by its strategic
interests, historical relationships, and evolving global dynamics. It aims to
promote its national security, economic growth, and regional stability while
upholding principles like non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and respect for
sovereignty. Here are key aspects of India's foreign policy:
1. Non-alignment: India's foreign policy stance of
non-alignment emerged during the Cold War when it chose not to align with
either of the superpowers, the United States or the Soviet Union. This approach
aimed to maintain independence and pursue its own interests.
2. Regional Stability: India focuses on maintaining
stability in its neighborhood. Initiatives like the "Neighborhood
First" policy aim to enhance cooperation, trade, and cultural ties with
neighboring countries.
3. Economic Diplomacy: India seeks to enhance
economic engagement through trade agreements, investment treaties, and
initiatives like "Make in India" to attract foreign investment and
boost domestic manufacturing.
4. Strategic Partnerships: India has strategic
partnerships with various countries, including the United States, Russia,
Japan, and several European nations. These partnerships involve cooperation in
areas like defense, technology, counterterrorism, and energy.
5. Multilateral Diplomacy: India actively
participates in international organizations like the United Nations, World
Trade Organization, and BRICS, advocating for reform to reflect contemporary
global realities and increase its influence.
6. Soft Power: India uses its rich cultural
heritage, Bollywood, yoga, and educational institutions to enhance its global
image and foster people-to-people connections.
7. Security Concerns: India's foreign policy takes
into account security concerns related to terrorism, insurgency, and
cross-border conflicts. It seeks cooperation with other nations to counter
these threats.
8. Energy Security: Given its energy requirements,
India engages in energy diplomacy by securing access to resources through
agreements and partnerships with energy-producing countries.
9. Act East Policy: This policy aims to strengthen
India's ties with Southeast Asian countries, recognizing the region's economic
and strategic importance.
10. International Norms and Values: India advocates
for adherence to international law, including respect for territorial integrity
and peaceful resolution of disputes.
11. Global Issues: India addresses global
challenges like climate change, poverty, and healthcare through diplomatic
efforts, contributing to international discussions and cooperation.
12. Diaspora Engagement: India maintains ties with
its large diaspora around the world, leveraging their networks for economic,
cultural, and diplomatic purposes.
13. Defense and Security Cooperation: India engages
in defense cooperation and joint military exercises with various countries to
enhance its capabilities and foster regional stability.
14. Balancing China: India's foreign policy is
influenced by its complex relationship with China. It seeks to balance
cooperation and competition, addressing border disputes while engaging in
economic and diplomatic exchanges.
15. Cybersecurity and Technology: India's foreign
policy also addresses cybersecurity concerns and technological advancements to
safeguard its interests in the digital realm.
Overall, India's foreign policy is dynamic and
responsive to global shifts while remaining committed to its core principles of
sovereignty, non-alignment, and peaceful coexistence.
multiple-choice questions (MCQs) along
with their answers related to the foreign policy of India:
1. What is the guiding principle of India's foreign policy
during the Cold War?
a) Bipartisanship
b) Non-alignment
c) Alliance
d) Confrontation
Answer: b)
Non-alignment
2. India's "Neighborhood First" policy emphasizes
improving relations with which group of countries?
a) African nations
b) European nations
c) Neighboring
countries
d) South American
countries
Answer: c)
Neighboring countries
3. Which policy focuses on enhancing India's engagement with
Southeast Asian countries?
a) Look East Policy
b) Pivot to Asia
Policy
c) Act West Policy
d) Global Outreach
Policy
Answer: a) Look
East Policy
4. India's foreign policy aims to promote its national
interests while upholding principles of:
a) Hegemony
b) Isolationism
c) Non-alignment
d) Colonialism
Answer: c) Non-alignment
5. Which global organization advocates for adherence to
international law and peaceful dispute resolution?
a) UNICEF
b) NATO
c) World Bank
d) United Nations
Answer: d) United
Nations
6. "Make in India" is an initiative related to
which aspect of India's foreign policy?
a) Economic
diplomacy
b) Security
cooperation
c) Cultural
exchange
d) Environmental
protection
Answer: a) Economic
diplomacy
7. India's strategic partnerships include countries like the
United States, Russia, Japan, and:
a) China
b) Brazil
c) Germany
d) France
Answer: d) France
8. What is the key principle of India's foreign policy when
it comes to dealing with terrorism?
a) Isolation
b) Negotiation
c) Retaliation
d) Non-cooperation
Answer: b)
Negotiation
9. Which policy focuses on building cultural ties, using
elements like Bollywood and yoga?
a) Soft Power
Diplomacy
b) Economic
Diplomacy
c) Military
Diplomacy
d) Energy Diplomacy
Answer: a) Soft
Power Diplomacy
10. India's foreign policy aims to maintain stability
primarily in which region?
a) North America
b) Middle East
c) Asia-Pacific
d) Caribbean
Answer: c)
Asia-Pacific
11. India's approach of maintaining independence during the
Cold War by not aligning with any superpower is known as:
a) Neutralism
b) Superpower
Avoidance
c)
Non-interference
d) Non-alignment
Answer: d)
Non-alignment
12. India's foreign policy places emphasis on ensuring
access to energy resources through:
a) Economic
sanctions
b) Energy
alliances
c) Cultural
exchange
d) Military
interventions
Answer: b) Energy
alliances
13. The Act East Policy aims to strengthen India's ties with
which group of countries?
a) South Asian
countries
b) African
countries
c) Southeast Asian
countries
d) European
countries
Answer: c) Southeast
Asian countries
14. Which country is considered a key partner in India's
"Look West" policy?
a) Japan
b) China
c) United States
d) Russia
Answer: c) United
States
15. India's "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" principle
relates to:
a) Economic
development
b) Environmental
conservation
c) Cultural
exchange
d) Global outlook
and coexistence
Answer: d) Global
outlook and coexistence
16. What is the primary focus of India's "Connect
Central Asia" policy?
a) Enhancing trade
with Central Asian nations
b) Establishing
military bases in Central Asia
c) Combating
terrorism in Central Asia
d) Promoting
cultural exchanges with Central Asian nations
Answer: a)
Enhancing trade with Central Asian nations
17. The India-Japan strategic partnership focuses on
collaboration in areas like:
a) Space
exploration
b) Military
interventions
c) Science and
technology
d) Maritime disputes
Answer: c) Science
and technology
18. Which principle of India's foreign policy emphasizes
respect for other countries' sovereignty?
a)
Non-interference
b) Expansionism
c) Hegemony
d) Annexation
Answer: a)
Non-interference
19. The Act East Policy was launched under the leadership of
which Indian Prime Minister?
a) Atal Bihari
Vajpayee
b) Manmohan Singh
c) Narendra Modi
d) Indira Gandhi
Answer: c)
Narendra Modi
20. India's foreign policy places special importance on its
relations with which neighboring country?
a) Nepal
b) Afghanistan
c) Myanmar
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: a) Nepal
21. India's "Look North" policy focuses on
strengthening ties with which region?
a) North America
b) Northern Europe
c) Central Asia
d) Northeast Asia
Answer: d) Northeast
Asia
22. The "Strategic Partnership" between India and
Russia includes cooperation in which sector?
a) Healthcare
b) Agriculture
c) Defense and
energy
d) Fashion and
design
Answer: c) Defense
and energy
23. Which organization is not a part of the BRICS group that
India is a member of?
a) Brazil
b) Russia
c) Indonesia
d) China
Answer: c)
Indonesia
24. India's foreign policy aims to maintain peaceful
relations with neighboring countries under the principle of:
a) Diplomatic
immunity
b) Non-alignment
c) Territorial
expansion
d) Preemptive
strike
Answer: b)
Non-alignment
25. Which initiative promotes India's engagement with
African countries through trade and investment?
a) Look West
Policy
b) Look East
Policy
c) Look North
Policy
d) Africa Outreach
Policy
Answer: d) Africa
Outreach Policy
26. India's foreign policy emphasizes the importance of
engaging with its vast diaspora. What does "diaspora" refer to?
a) Tourists
visiting India
b) Indian
expatriates living abroad
c) International
diplomats
d) Foreign
tourists in India
Answer: b) Indian
expatriates living abroad
27. The "Blue Economy" initiative in India's
foreign policy focuses on:
a) Promoting
environmental conservation
b) Strengthening
maritime security
c) Developing
coastal infrastructure
d) Exploring economic
opportunities from oceans
Answer: d)
Exploring economic opportunities from oceans
28. Which foreign policy approach involves using culture,
education, and art to promote a country's interests?
a) Economic
Diplomacy
b) Soft Power
Diplomacy
c) Military
Diplomacy
d) Strategic
Diplomacy
Answer: b) Soft
Power Diplomacy
29. India's Act East Policy aims to develop stronger
relations with countries in which region?
a) Middle East
b) Southeast Asia
c) North America
d) Latin America
Answer: b)
Southeast Asia
30. The foreign policy approach of "Economic
Diplomacy" focuses on:
a) Military
alliances
b) Cultural
exchanges
c) Strengthening
economic ties
d) Expanding
territory
Answer: c)
Strengthening economic ties
31. India's "Look East" policy was later
transformed into the:
a) Act West Policy
b) Pivot to Asia
Policy
c) Act East Policy
d) Global Outreach
Policy
Answer: c) Act
East Policy
32. The doctrine of "Panchsheel" is closely
associated with India's foreign relations with which country?
a) Japan
b) China
c) Russia
d) United States
Answer: b) China
33. Which organization does India collaborate with to
address issues related to the Indian Ocean region?
a) NATO
b) ASEAN
c) BIMSTEC
d) IORA
Answer: d) IORA
(Indian Ocean Rim Association)
34. India's policy of "Strategic Autonomy" implies
that:
a) India seeks
military alliances with major powers
b) India's foreign
policy decisions are guided by its own interests
c) India aims to
expand its territory through diplomatic means
d) India aligns
itself with one superpower against another
Answer: b) India's
foreign policy decisions are guided by its own interests
35. Which policy focuses on strengthening India's ties with
the Gulf and Middle East countries?
a) Gulf Focus
Policy
b) Westward
Expansion Policy
c) Middle East
Outreach Policy
d) West Asia
Policy
Answer: d) West
Asia Policy
36. The "Nehruvian Approach" in India's foreign
policy refers to the principles set by:
a) Jawaharlal
Nehru
b) Indira Gandhi
c) Atal Bihari
Vajpayee
d) Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: a)
Jawaharlal Nehru
37. India's "SAGAR" initiative aims to:
a) Enhance
maritime security in the Pacific Ocean
b) Develop tourism
along coastal areas
c) Strengthen ties
with landlocked countries
d) Promote blue
economy and maritime cooperation
Answer: d) Promote
blue economy and maritime cooperation
38. Which country is not a member of the "Quad"
group, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue?
a) India
b) Japan
c) Australia
d) Russia
Answer: d) Russia
39. India's approach to handling border disputes with
neighboring countries is primarily based on:
a) Military
intervention
b) International
arbitration
c) Diplomatic
negotiations
d) Unilateral
annexation
Answer: c)
Diplomatic negotiations
40. The "India-Africa Forum Summit" focuses on
enhancing cooperation between India and:
a) North America
b) European
countries
c) African
countries
d) South American
countries
Answer: c) African
countries
41. India's "Act West" policy aims to strengthen
ties with countries in which region?
a) Southeast Asia
b) Europe
c) South America
d) Middle East and
North Africa
Answer: d) Middle
East and North Africa
42. Which foreign policy principle emphasizes India's commitment
to upholding international norms and values?
a) Peaceful
coexistence
b) Non-alignment
c) Soft power
diplomacy
d) Respect for
sovereignty
Answer: d) Respect
for sovereignty
43. The policy of "Strategic Restraint" in India's
foreign policy refers to:
a) Limited
military engagement
b) Expanding
territorial claims
c) Seeking
military alliances
d) Pursuing
aggressive expansion
Answer: a) Limited
military engagement
44. Which Indian Prime Minister introduced the "Look
East" policy?
a) Jawaharlal
Nehru
b) Indira Gandhi
c) Rajiv Gandhi
d) P. V. Narasimha
Rao
Answer: d) P. V.
Narasimha Rao
45. India's "Gujral Doctrine" focuses on improving
relations with its neighboring countries based on principles of:
a) Reciprocity and
non-interference
b) Economic
dominance
c) Military
cooperation
d) Territorial
expansion
Answer: a)
Reciprocity and non-interference
46. Which international organization is focused on promoting
economic cooperation and regional integration among South Asian countries?
a) BRICS
b) ASEAN
c) SAARC
d) G20
Answer: c) SAARC
(South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
47. The "Vajpayee Doctrine" emphasizes:
a)
Non-interference in the affairs of other countries
b) Striving for
global hegemony
c) Seeking
military alliances with major powers
d) Balancing power
between superpowers
Answer: a)
Non-interference in the affairs of other countries
48. India's "Look East" policy aimed to enhance
relations with which major country in the Asia-Pacific region?
a) China
b) Australia
c) Japan
d) South Korea
Answer: c) Japan
49. Which foreign policy approach involves the use of
military strength to achieve diplomatic goals?
a) Economic
Diplomacy
b) Soft Power
Diplomacy
c) Military
Diplomacy
d) Strategic
Diplomacy
Answer: c)
Military Diplomacy
50. Which of the following is not a key principle of India's
foreign policy?
a) Non-alignment
b) Economic
Dominance
c) Respect for
sovereignty
d) Peaceful
coexistence
Answer: b)
Economic Dominance
.
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