Explain the fundamental principle of the Nehru’s foreign policy.

The fundamental principle of Nehru’s foreign policy was NON-ALIGNMENT.

a) Since India had gained freedom soon after the Second World War. At that time a new international body – the United Nations – formed in 1945 was not very powerful. The 1950s and 1960s saw the Cold War-power rivalries and ideological conflicts between the USA and the USSR, with both countries creating military alliances.

b) Non-alignment was the heart of Nehru’s foreign policy in such circumstances. Led by leaders from Egypt, Yugoslavia, Indonesia, Ghana and India, the non-aligned movement urged countries not to join either of the two major alliances. Non-aligned countries such as India played an active role in mediating between the American and Soviet alliances, despite their apparent neutrality. They tried to prevent war — often taking a humanitarian and moral stand against war.