How did the Cold War affect India's foreign policy?

The Cold War significantly influenced India's foreign policy, leading to the adoption of a non-aligned stance.

During the Cold War, the world was essentially divided into two major blocs: the capitalist bloc led by the United States and the communist bloc led by the Soviet Union. India, having gained independence in 1947, was a newly sovereign nation navigating this complex global scenario. The Cold War had a profound impact on India's foreign policy, leading to the adoption of a non-aligned stance, which meant not formally aligning with or against any major power bloc.

India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was instrumental in shaping this policy. He believed that for a newly independent nation like India, aligning with any of the superpowers could compromise its sovereignty and newly won independence. Nehru's vision was to maintain autonomy in foreign affairs by not joining any of the power blocs. This led to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961, with India as one of the founding members. The NAM aimed to create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member states becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers.

However, non-alignment did not mean isolation. India actively engaged with both superpowers but avoided formal alliances. It received aid from both the United States and the Soviet Union and maintained diplomatic relations with countries across the ideological divide. India's non-aligned stance was also a pragmatic response to its geopolitical realities. It shared borders with two Cold War hotspots - China and Pakistan. By not aligning with any bloc, India aimed to prevent the escalation of regional conflicts into global ones.

The Cold War also influenced India's stance on nuclear weapons. India's decision to go nuclear in 1974 was partly a response to the global nuclear balance of power. However, India consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament and criticised the nuclear arms race between the superpowers.

In conclusion, the Cold War had a significant impact on India's foreign policy. It led to the adoption of a non-aligned stance, which allowed India to maintain its sovereignty, engage with both superpowers, and navigate its complex regional geopolitics. It also influenced India's stance on nuclear weapons. Despite the end of the Cold War, the principles of non-alignment continue to influence India's foreign policy.