Topics
The World since 1991
Key Concepts and Issues since 1991: Globalisation
Key Concepts and Issues since 1991: Humanitarian Issues
Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration
Contemporary India: Good Governance
India and the World
- Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
- Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
- Concept of Non-Alignment Movement
- Factors Influencing Indian Foreign Policy
- India’s Relations with the World
- Major Powers in the World
- India as Emerging Power
- Neighbourhood of India
- Africa in the Indian World View
- Indian Ocean Region
- Overview of India and the World
Estimated time: 35 minutes
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
- Maintain international peace and security.
- Protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
- Promote economic growth and development.
- Strengthen relations with neighbouring and regional groups like ASEAN and EU.
- Ensure security and stability.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Principles of India’s Foreign Policy
- Sovereign Equality
- Non-Intervention
- Respect for International Law
- Peaceful Co-existence
- Active Global Participation
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Non-Alignment
- Non-alignment means not joining any military alliance or power bloc.
- It was India’s response to the rivalry between the USA and the USSR.
- India maintained equal distance from both superpowers.
- Leadership of Nehru
- Continued Relevance
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Factors Influencing India’s Foreign Policy
- Geographical factors
- Historical factors
- Economical factors
- Political factors
- International System
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India’s Relations with the World
- Foreign policy helps India maintain and develop relations.
- India has built relations with almost all countries.
- India maintains closer relations with neighbouring countries.
- Relations with major world powers are important for India’s global position.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Major Powers – India and the United States
- The USA was a superpower during the Cold War.
- India–US relations were strained during the Cold War.
- US supported Pakistan and China.
- After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, the US imposed sanctions.
- After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, the US imposed sanctions.
- Today, India and the US cooperate in defence, trade, and Indo-Pacific partnerships.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India – Soviet Union / Russia Relations
- Strong Cold War Friendship.
- Economic & Industrial Support.
- Soviet Union supplied weapons and helped India produce arms under licensed agreements.
- 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty.
- Continued Ties with Russia.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India – China Relations
- Early Friendly Relations (1949–1954)
- Border Dispute & 1962 War
- Tibet Issue
- Restoration of Relations (1976 onwards)
- Complex Modern Relations
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India – An Emerging Power
- India and China are recognised as important powers shaping world affairs.
- Large & Strong Nation.
- Major advances in nuclear, space, and electronics technology.
- India is a member of the G-20 and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), known for fast-growing economies.
- Trilateral Summit Idea.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India and Its Neighbourhood
- Immediate Neighbours: India borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar; Sri Lanka is a key maritime neighbour.
- Extended Neighbourhood: The Indian Ocean Region, from East Africa to Southeast Asia, is strategically important.
- India–Pakistan Relations: Kashmir remains the core issue; wars (1947–48, 1965, 1971) and cross-border terrorism strain ties.
- India–China Concerns: Border disputes and China’s support to Pakistan impact relations.
- India–Bangladesh Relations: India supported Bangladesh’s 1971 independence; recent resolution of land and maritime disputes improved ties.
- Himalayan Neighbours: Nepal and Bhutan share close ties; Sikkim joined India in 1975; Bhutan relations are especially strong.
- Sri Lanka Relations: Tamil issue and fishermen disputes have affected ties, though relations continue.
- Foreign Policy Goal: Maintaining friendly neighbourhood relations is a key objective of India’s foreign policy.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Farakka Barrage
- Farakka Barrage is built on the River Ganga in West Bengal, near the Bangladesh border.
- It was constructed to divert water into the Hooghly River to remove silt and improve the Kolkata Port.
- The diversion of Ganga water created tensions between India and Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh complained that reduced water flow affected agriculture, fisheries and navigation.
- Several temporary arrangements were made before a permanent solution.
- India and Bangladesh signed the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty in 1996.
- The agreement is considered a successful example of resolving disputes through peaceful negotiation.
- The treaty strengthened cooperation and improved India–Bangladesh relations.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: India–Africa Relations
- Support for Liberation Movements.
- Africa supplies a significant share of India’s crude oil, and Indian companies invest in countries like Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria.
- Indian industries provide technological and material services to developing African nations.
- Around two million Indians live in Africa, especially in Eastern and Southern Africa, strengthening ties.
- India is concerned about piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean and provides military training to African countries.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Indian Ocean Region
- Major Maritime Route: The Indian Ocean carries nearly half of global container traffic and most oil shipments.
- Economic Importance: About 90% of India’s trade by volume and most oil imports move through sea routes.
- Long Coastline & EEZ: India has a 7,500 km coastline and a 2.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Security Concerns: Sea routes face threats like piracy, terrorism, and other security risks.
- Role of Indian Navy: The Navy safeguards trade routes and supports India’s foreign policy objectives.
- Sagarmala & Bharatmala: These projects boost port-led development, coastal connectivity, and maritime infrastructure.
- IORA: Established in 1997 to promote economic cooperation and balanced development in the Indian Ocean region.
