‘‘The Indo-China war of 1962 dented India’s image at home and abroad.’’ Do you agree with the statement ? Justify your answer with any three arguments.

OR

If you are given a chance to make some changes in India’s foreign policy keeping into mind our national interests, suggest any three such changes.

The aftermath of the war saw sweeping changes in the Indian military to prepare it for similar conflicts in the future. The war with China alerted the Indian leadership to the volatile situation in the Northeast region. Apart from being isolated and extremely underdeveloped, this region also presented India with the challenge of national integration and political unity. The process of its reorganisation began soon after the China war. Nagaland was granted statehood; Manipur and Tripura, though Union Territories, were given the right to elect their own legislative assemblies.

OR

India as a nation has always upheld to ideals of sovereignty and democracy. It has established itself as a mediator through taking the path of non-alignment. It has always taken initiatives to bring about equality and understanding among nations, this mediator role has been observed when India supported the end of the Korean War, or went against French rule in China etc. Keeping the national interests in mind, three changes that India needs to make with respect to the foreign policy are –

i) India’s peaceful image has been threatened due to the various wars that it had to fight to maintain its sovereignty. The Centre must opt for dialogues instead of outright warfare to continue maintaining its peaceful image.

ii) India should avoid direct conflicts with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and China as it has undermined the position held by India in SAARC and India’s concept of regional co-operation.

iii) India has always considered the Non-Proliferation Treaty discriminatory and must continue in her refusal to sign it in order to maintain her nuclear rights.