Afro-Asian solidarity as a central element of India's foreign policy was initiated by which of the following Prime Ministers?
- A.Narendra Modi
- B.I. K. Gujral
- C.J. L. Nehru
- D.Manmohan Singh
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, J. L. Nehru. India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, made solidarity with the newly free nations of Asia and Africa a central pillar of India's foreign policy.
Even before independence, Nehru hosted the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in March 1947. India then supported the freedom struggles of colonies such as Indonesia, opposed apartheid in South Africa and took a leading part in the Bandung Conference of Asian and African nations in 1955. Together with Tito of Yugoslavia and Nasser of Egypt, Nehru helped found the Non-Aligned Movement at Belgrade in 1961. The Panchsheel principles of 1954 also grew out of this outlook of peaceful coexistence.
Option A is wrong because Narendra Modi is associated with the Act East policy of 2014 and Neighbourhood First, not with starting Afro-Asian solidarity. Option B is wrong because I. K. Gujral is known for the Gujral Doctrine of goodwill towards India's neighbours. Option D is wrong because Manmohan Singh built on existing policy, especially ties with the United States and East Asia.
Exam tip: Asian Relations Conference 1947, Panchsheel 1954, Bandung 1955, NAM Belgrade 1961, all in the Nehru era.
Practice Questions
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