NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 India’s External Relations

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Class 12th Political Science NCERT Solutions Part B Politics in India Since Independence

Q1. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of these statements.

(a) Non-alignment allowed India to gain assistance both from USA and USSR.
(b) India’s relationship with her neighbours has been strained from the beginning.
(c) The cold war has affected the relationship between India and Pakistan.
(d) The treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1971 was the result of India’s closeness to USA.

Answer:-
(a) True
(b) True
(c) True
(d) False

Q2. Match the following :

(a).The goal of India’s foreign (i). Tibetan spiritual leader
policy in the period 1950- 1964
(b) Panchsheel (ii). Preservation of territorial integrity,
sovereignty and economic development.
(c) Bandung Conference (iii). Five principles of peaceful co-existence
(d) Dalai Lama (iv). Led to establishment of NAM

Answer:-
(a)—-> (ii)
(b)—-> (iii)
(c)—-> (iv)
(d)—-> (i)

Q3. Why did Nehru regard conduct of foreign relations as an essential indicator of independence? State any two reasons with examples to support your reading?

Answer:- Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru regarded the conduct of the foreign relations as an essential indicator of the independence because:
(a) His basic ideology was based upon the principles that the political stability of the respective country is subject to the international relations.
(b) He believed that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is protected from any external threats to security if a stable foreign system is in place .
(c) He also believed that the conduct of the foreign relations in the correct manner also helps in the continuation of the country’s own ideals without any outside interference or hegemonization.
The two reasons to support the above argument are:
(a) The adoption of NAM as the main ingredient of the foreign policy saved the political structure of India from the imperialistic tendencies of USA and USSR.
(b) The essence of India’s foreign policy was based upon the legacy of Indian National struggle so that is why the decision to adopt an eclectic foreign policy led to the opposition of India towards the spreading colonialism and racism.

Q4. “The conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-nation interaction between domestic compulsions and prevailing international climate.”Take one example from India’s external relations in the 1960s to substantiate your answer.

Answer:- The statement is justified to maximum extent to be proved during ‘Sino-Indian Conflict of 1962’ to dent India’s image at home and international level, India had to approach the Americans and the British for military assistance to tide over the issues. The Soviet Union remained neutral during the conflict:
(i) All the occurring, created a sense of national humiliation but strengthened a spirit of nationalism also on the other hand.
(ii) Pt. Nehru was also criticised for his naive assessment of Chinese intentions and lack of military preparedness.
(iii) Political mood of country began to change, when no-confidence motion against Nehru moved in and debated in Lok-Sabha.
(iv) ‘Sino-Indian Conflict’ splatted the Communist Party of India in 1964s split fraction formed communist party of India (CPI-M).
(v) Besides, the war with China alerted Indian leadership to volatile situation in the North east region.
(vi) Apart from being isolated and extremely underdeveloped, this region posed the challenge of national integration in front of India.

Q5. Identify any two aspects of India’s foreign policy that you would like to retain and two that you would like to change, if you were to become a decision maker. Give reasons to support your position.

Answer:- The two aspects of India’s foreign policy that we would like to retain are :
(a) The desire for the establishment of complete sovereignty and the maintenance of the territorial integrity over the country of India. The respective notion is very important for the country of India because it will allow the native government to have control over the resources and will also result in the deduction of exploitation.
(b) The continuation of Afro-Asian unity which will help in boosting of the economic and cultural relations between several countries of ‘Third-World’.
The two aspects of India’s foreign policy that we would like to change are:
(a) The stance over the ‘USSR invasion of Hungary’, as the Indian government was silent, it led to various questions being imposed on NAM policy of India and affected its foreign policy.
(b) The resolution of Kashmir dispute, so that it will result in the establishment of friendly relations or close affinity between India and Pakistan.

Q6. Write short notes on the following:

(a) India’s Nuclear policy.
(b) Consensus in foreign policy matters.

Answer:- (a) India’s Nuclear policy:
Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, was against the increasing nuclear capacity of the developed
countries. He urged the political and economical giants to accept the ‘universal disarmament’
but the nuclear arsenals began developing all over the world. The development of nuclear
weapons by Russia and the challenges to the external security resulted in the formation of
India’s foreign policy. Due to all the changes, the first nuclear tests were conducted in 1974. The
Nuclear policy of India is in favour of complete disarmament but only if its universal and
non-discriminatory. The nuclear policy of India is against the discriminatory policies like Nuclear
Non -proliferation treaty and the Comprehensive test ban treaty.

(b) Consensus in foreign policy matters.
The consensus or the sense of collectiveness is very imperative for the functioning of smooth
and efficient foreign policy of different countries. The consensus can only be achieved if the
debate or discourse is performed on conflictual issues between two or more countries so that it
can result in the ‘bilateral agreements’ or CBM(Confidence Building measures) between the
countries of contrasting ideologies

Q7. India’s foreign policy was built around the principles of peace and cooperation. But India fought three wars in a space of ten years between 1962 and 1972. Would you say that this was a failure of the foreign policy? Or would you say that this was a result of international situation? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer:- Yes, The wars were the result of International situation as :
(a) India’s foreign policy was subject to the colossal changes present in the international system due to the creation of two powerful blocs-USA and USSR.
(b) The hindrance in the way of establishment of territorial integrity and sovereignty were the main reasons that led to war between India -China and India-Pakistan.
(c) It must be considered that to protect the political and democratic nature of India , it was necessary to participate in wars.
(d) It was quintessential for India to participate in the respective wars for its own preservation of national interests.

Q8. Does India’s foreign policy reflect her desire to be an important regional power? Argue your case with the Bangladesh war of 1971 as an example ?

Answer:- Yes, the India’s foereign policy reflects her desire to be an important regional power as:
(a) The Indo-Pak war of 1971, was the reflection of the conflict between the two countries and the influx of refugees from ‘East-Pakistan’ , forced the Indian government to participate in the respective regional issue pertaining to the creation of ‘Bangladesh’.
(b) The desire to be an important regional power and the move towards the establishment of PAN-INDICA was also one of the major objectives for the establishment of peace and stability in South-east Asia as it was the part of India’s foreign policy and national interests.
(c) It was also important for India to interfere to show the internal and external might to Pakistan and China.

Q9. How does political leadership of a nation affect its foreign policy? Explain this with the help of examples from India’s foreign policy.

Answer:- Foreign policy of any country is the mirror of national interests as in India:

During non-congress government in 1977, Janata Party announced to follow nonalignment genuinely. This implied that the pro-Soviet tilt in foreign policy will be corrected.
Since then, all governments took initiatives to restore better relations with China and
entered into close ties with the US.
In Post 1990 period the ruling parties were criticised for their pro-US foreign policy.
During this period Russia had lost its global pre-eminence despite it has been India’s good
friend. Hence, India’s foreign policy shifted to a more pro-US strategy.
Besides, the contemporary international situation is also more influenced by economic
interests than military interests so made an impact on India’s foreign policy
i.e. Indo-Pakistan relations have witnessed new developments.

Q10. Read this passage and answer the questions below:

“Broadly, non-alignment means not tying yourself off with military blocs….It means trying to view things, as far as possible, not from the military point of view, though that has to come in sometimes, but independently, and trying to maintain friendly relations with all countries.” — JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(a) Why does Nehru want to keep off military blocs?
(b) Do you think that the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty violated the principle of non-alignment? Give reasons for your answer.
(c) If there were no military blocs, do you think non-alignment would have been unnecessary?

Answer:- (a) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to keep off military blocks to the newly independent countries for the protection of sovereignty, integrity and dignity of newly independent countries.

(b) Indo-Soviet friendship did not violated principle of non-alignment, because India did not join Soviet bloc or military bloc. Moreover, it was a treaty of peace and cooperation.

(c) Non-alignment does not mean only not to join any military block. Non-alignment has a wider meaning. The policy of non-alignment is an independent policy. Non-alignment is a policy of peacefulness. Non-alignment policy is a positive one. Non-alignment does not mean neutrality in international affairs. Policy of non-alignment is relevant even today

Extra Questions of Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 India’s External Relations

Q1. Why did India not sign Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty?

Answer:- Because India considered the NPT as discriminatory policy to argue it to be used for peaceful purposes only.

Q2. What was Bandung conference?

Answer:- Bandung conference was held in 1955 in Indonesia as an Afro-Asian conference to lead an establishment of NAM and to mark the engagement of India with African and Asian nations.

Q3. Mention the Article of Indian constitution to promote international peace and security.

Answer:- Article 51 to lay down some Directive Principles of State Policy.

Q4. Which step was the beginning of Indo¬china’s strong relationship?

Answer:- Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful co-existance signed in 1954.

Q5. When and between whom was the Shimla Agreement signed?

Answer:- Shimla Agreement was signed between Indian Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in July 1972.

Q6. Why did India not sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty?

Answer:-
(a) India did not sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty because according to India, this treaty was discriminatory.
(b) India’s two neighbouring countries had nuclear weapons, therefore it was necessary for India to have a minimum deterrent.

Q7. What do you mean by Panchsheel?

Answer:- The word ‘Panchsheel’ stands for five principles of conduct and behavior. India and China evolved five principles to maintain friendly ties between the two countries.

Q8. Give the full form of the NPT and CTBT.

Answer:- NPT-Non Proliferation Treaty. CTBT-Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Q9. What do you understand by Panchsheel? What are its main principles?

Answer:- Pt. Nehru formulated five principles of peaceful co-existence among the nations of the world. They were accepted first by the Chinese Prime Minister Chou-En-Lie. These principles are known as Panchsheel. They are:

To respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.
Non-aggression on each other.
Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Peaceful settlement of disputes.
To promote world peace.

Q10.Critically evaluate India’s nuclear policy.

Answer:-
(i) Nehru had faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India.
(ii) The nuclear programme was initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha.
(iii) India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
(iv) The first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974 was termed as peaceful explosion.
(v) India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
(vi) India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.

Q11. Which two differences between India and China led to an army conflict in 1962?

Answer:- (i) Serious conflict arose when China annexed Tibet in 1950 and removed a historical buffer between two nation and India did not oppose this openly.
(ii) Another border dispute arose when China claimed Aksai Chin Area and NEFA (much of the state in Arunachal Pradesh) within the . Indian territory.

Q12. Describe any four issues of conflict between India and China .

Answer:- Issues of Conflict between India and China:
(a) Serious conflict arose when China annexed Tibet in 1950 and removed a historical buffer between two nation and India did not oppose this openly.
(b) India grew uneasy, when China began to suppress Tibetan culture.
(c) Another border dispute arose when China claimed Aksai Chin Area and NEFA (much of the state in Arunachal Pradesh) within the Indian territory.
(d) Despite long term correspondence and discussions, these issues have not been resolved even by top leaders of country.
(e) Hence, India had to indulge in the conflict.

Q13. Explain the circumstances that forced the Tibetans to leave China. Highlight India’s role in helping the *• Tibetan refugees

Answer:- India’s policy of contentment crossed its limit when India gave its extra-territorial rights enjoyed in Tibet, to China by signing a trade-agreement on 29th April 1954. Both the countries at the time of agreement expressed their faith in the principles of Panchsheel. There was an armed uprising in Tibet protest against China’s infiltration in 1958. Chinese forces suppressed the movement. In 1959, the Dalai Lama crossed over to Indian border and sought asylum under the Indian Government. A large number of Tibetans had also sought refuge in India. Hence, Tibet became an issue of tension between India and China.