Study "india and russia", a flashcard deck on FORKSAI.
Define 'Non-alignment' as a core concept of India's foreign policy after independence.
Non-alignment meant that India chose not to formally align itself with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Despite this neutrality, India remained active in global politics, advocating for autonomy and peace while avoiding military alliances.
How did Cold War events influence India's relationship with the Soviet Union under Indira Gandhi?
Cold War pressures, particularly the cessation of US aid to India in the 1960s and the US's closer relationship with Pakistan, pushed India towards the Soviet Union. This led to a security agreement in 1971, making the USSR India's main partner, especially for military support, under Indira Gandhi's leadership.
What characterized India's economic system for many years prior to the 1990s?
Prior to the 1990s, India followed a closed economic system. This was characterized by very high tariffs, strict import limits, and strong restrictions on foreign investment, which significantly reduced its role in global trade and hindered economic growth.
According to the study guide, what does 'Regional hegemony' imply about India's foreign policy under Indira Gandhi?
Regional hegemony implies that India became a dominant power in South Asia under Indira Gandhi. This policy meant India believed no foreign country should interfere in nearby countries and actively intervened to protect its interests and influence in the region, akin to a 'Monroe Doctrine' for South Asia.
Which of the following best describes India's foreign policy approach after the 1990s economic opening?
A. Continued non-alignment and isolationism. B. Increased trade integration and cooperation with the US. C. Renewed focus on a closed economy. D. Aggressive military expansion in South Asia. The correct option is B. Post-1990s, India moved from isolation to increased trade integration, improved its economy, and built stronger relations with countries like the US, becoming more involved in global organizations.
Explain Aseema Sinha's concept of India as a 'link power'.
Aseema Sinha describes India as a 'link power' because it acts as a bridge between developed and developing countries. India balances between different global sides and helps foster cooperation, occupying a middle position that is neither fully inside nor outside the existing international system.
What does 'Partial accommodation without conflict' mean in the context of India's foreign policy, as conceptualized by Aseema Sinha?
Partial accommodation without conflict signifies India's strategy of accepting the global system in part, but also working to change it slowly from within. India avoids direct conflict with major powers, preferring cooperation and maintaining a strategic balance between independence and engagement.
How does India's strategy of 'peaceful rise' differentiate it from traditional rising powers?
India's strategy of 'peaceful rise' emphasizes growing power without being aggressive. Instead of relying on military force, it uses diplomacy, culture (soft power), and economic strength (geo-economics) to influence others, aiming to lead without military conflict.
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the Soviet Union prior to its collapse in 1991?
A. A communist system. B. Strong central control. C. A multipolar global system. D. Expansion of influence in Eastern Europe. The correct option is C. The Soviet Union was one of two superpowers during the Cold War, contributing to a bipolar global system, not a multipolar one, until its collapse.
What was the primary reason for India's shift towards the Soviet Union in the 1970s?
The primary reason for India's shift towards the Soviet Union in the 1970s was the cessation of US aid to India in the 1960s and the US's growing closeness with Pakistan, which created distrust and pushed India to seek military and political support from the USSR, culminating in the 1971 treaty.