Essay on India in 2020 Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.
Since ancient times, the people of India have been having an active relationship with the peoples of the outside world. As this relationship was generally cordial and accommodative in nature, many races, from time to time, could settle in India and become part of it. Indian culture, which is a synthesis of the differing legacies of these races, is therefore composite and highly complex.
India’s hospitable approach to the rest of the world was both advantageous and disadvantageous. While on the one hand, it helped enrich India’s culture, on the other, it was responsible for many later conflicts, that culminated in India’s colonization by outsiders. However, the ethos of accommodation, solidarity and equality, besides the tradition of tolerance for varying opinions and viewpoints, continues to guide India’s relations with other countries in modern times also.
The timing of India’s return to freedom is also a factor that determines its outlook to the world. The world, in the middle of the twentieth century, when India won independence, had been crippled by two world wars and divided on ideological lines. Matching the USA and other capitalist countries, in both power and popularity, was the group of socialist nations headed by the former USSR India, which had itself suffered the evils of divisions and exploitation, was naturally not willing to encourage a divided world. Therefore, it sought cordial relations with both the groups, without preferring either over the other.
Instead of supporting divisions among countries, India devoted its energies towards helping those Countries in Asia and Africa that were still under colonial rule, achieve independence. India looked to the people of these countries for support of its ideals of egalitarianism and solidarity. Furthermore, with its own experience under colonial rule. India could identify itself more with the newly emerging nations of the so-called ‘third world’, in terms of problems and hopes. Realizing the advantages of collective work in overcoming the problems caused by poverty and other social evils, India was more for cooperation than confrontation among nations. For healthy and fruitful co-existence, India based its foreign policy on the ‘Pancha Sheela’, or the five principles, and encouraged others to do so. The solidarity among the newly independent, but less-developed states, gave rise to the non-aligned movement (NAM), which would act as a moderator in the hostile debate between capitalism and socialism.
The non-aligned movement, unlike the two divisive ideologies, believed more in appreciation and accommodation of differing ideas than in their conflict and elimination. Its spirit of accommodation enabled NAM to have such diverse nations as Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe as its members. It is an indication of the movement’s popularity, that unlike the other groups, it has been able to increase its strength to over a hundred nations. The versatility of the movement is also evident from the fact that the ideological fronts, after fighting a ‘cold war’ for over four decades, have exhausted themselves and decided to disband. Each is now offering the other the ideals of peace and cooperation, which were originally espoused by the non-aligned countries.
The ideal of non-alignment may be a jewel in India’s foreign policy crown, but it is not the only jewel that makes up the crown. India has aroused world conscience and espoused the cause of morality by its tough and timely actions on more occasions than one. India’s forceful opposition to Apartheid made it the first country to sever diplomatic relations with South Africa. Its consistent and continued support to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa finally managed to kill the evil policy. Similarly, India’s opposition to Israel and support .to the Palestinians’ fight for a homeland has also started bearing fruit. As its problems with both South Africa and Israel have been solved, India has moved quickly to restore full diplomatic relations with these countries. This exercise amply illustrates that India opposes only policies but not people. It was the approach to international relationships based on virtuous policies and principles that enabled India to have healthy and fruitful relationships with both the USA and the former USSR, even when the cold war simmered.
But even though its foreign policy has gained respect and appreciation worldwide, quite ironically, India’s relations with its immediate neighbors have not always been pleasant. While Pakistan and China are the major adversaries, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka often have grudges and grievances against India. The dispute over Kashmir, and a general distrust of India after the events of ‘partition’, keep India’s relations with Pakistan consistently volatile, whereas dispute over territories in the Himalayas is a cause for stress in India’s relationship with China.
The issue of Tamil settlers in Sri Lanka and that of water sharing with Bangladesh have caused relatively minor tensions with these countries. India’s large area and population may be the cause of our neighbors’ anxiety. But on considering our outlook to the world since ancient times, it is clear that such an anxiety has no basis. It may be hoped that the efforts made in recent times to improve the confidence and trust of our neighbors in us will change their outlook towards us for the better. Such a change will ensure that India’s foreign policy will serve as a healthy model for others to emulate.
