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

1. Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ against each of these statements.

1. Non-alignment allowed India to gain assistance both from USA and USSR.
   Answer: True
   
   

2. India’s relationship with her neighbours has been strained from the beginning.
   Answer: False
   
   

3. The cold war has affected the relationship between India and Pakistan.
   Answer: True
   
   

4. The treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1971 was the result of India’s closeness to USA.
   Answer: False

2. Match the following

Answer:

3. 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: Nehru saw foreign relations as vital for true independence because:

(i) If a country's foreign policy is controlled by another, its sovereignty is compromised, shown by his statement in the Constituent Assembly.

(ii) Controlling foreign affairs allows a nation to make independent decisions on alliances, aid, and national interests, as demonstrated in India's stance of non-alignment after independence.

4. “The conduct of foreign affairs is an outcome of a two-way 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 1962 war with China is an example. Domestically, India's leadership underestimated the Chinese threat, focusing on friendly relations. Internationally, the Cold War climate and changing alliances influenced China's aggression. This event led India to shift resources from development to defence and seek military assistance from Western countries.

5. 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:
To retain:
(1) Principles of non-alignment, as they promote independent decision-making.

(2) Support for decolonization and anti-apartheid, reflecting global justice.

To change:
(1) Greater focus on economic diplomacy for development.

(2) More engagement in regional issues for political stability. These changes would make India globally competitive and regionally responsible.

6. Write short notes on the following.

1. India’s Nuclear policy
   
   Answer: India’s nuclear policy prioritizes peaceful uses of atomic energy and advocates global nuclear disarmament. India did not sign the NPT due to its discriminatory nature. After peaceful nuclear tests (1974, 1998), India declared a “no first use” doctrine and supports minimum credible deterrence with a commitment to disarmament.
   
   

2. Consensus in foreign policy matters
   
   Answer: There is broad consensus among Indian political parties on core issues like sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interest. Political parties, despite differences, generally agree on maintaining unity in addressing foreign threats and diplomatic matters, ensuring continuity and stability in foreign policy.

7. 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 1971. 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: The wars were mainly due to international circumstances, not a failure of India’s policies. India consistently advocated peace, but aggression from China (1962) and Pakistan (1965, 1971) forced defensive wars. The conflicts reflected global tensions and regional disputes beyond India’s control, despite its peaceful intentions.

8. 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, India’s intervention in the Bangladesh war of 1971 showed its regional leadership. By helping East Pakistan gain independence, India shaped South Asian geopolitics, provided humanitarian support for millions of refugees, and signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the USSR, affirming its regional influence.

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

Answer: Political leadership shapes foreign policy through values and decisions. Nehru’s vision established non-alignment and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing sovereignty and development. Indira Gandhi’s leadership during the 1971 war reflected assertiveness and regional strategy. Every leader adapts policies as per situations, influencing India’s international role.

10. 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

1. Why does Nehru want to keep off military blocs?
   
   Answer: Nehru wanted to avoid military blocs to maintain India’s independence in foreign policy, prevent involvement in the Cold War rivalry, and promote peaceful, balanced relations with all nations.
   
   

2. Do you think that the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty violated the principle of non-alignment? Give reasons for your answer.
   
   Answer: The treaty did not violate non-alignment as it was signed for India’s security amid the 1971 war and changing global dynamics, not as a military alliance against any bloc. India maintained its independent stance on global issues.
   
   

3. If there were no military blocs, do you think non-alignment would have been unnecessary?
   
   Answer: Yes, non-alignment was a response to Cold War blocs. Without blocs, the policy would be redundant as countries could interact freely without the pressure to align militarily.

India's External Relations with NCERT Solutions (2025-26)

Strengthen your understanding of India's External Relations Class 12 with complete NCERT solutions. Grasp complex events like the policy of non-alignment, three major wars, and nuclear diplomacy to score higher and build strong conceptual foundations.

This chapter covers India’s foreign policy principles, relations with China and Pakistan, and the journey of nuclear policy. Regular revision and answering exercise-based questions will boost your conceptual clarity and exam performance.

For best results, review NCERT solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 thoroughly. Focus on highlighted events, memorize timelines, and practice answer writing to sharpen your exam strategy.