India » International Relations

The India's Relations with the International Community

India’s International Relations reveals a conventional nonalignment policy, which is strongly influenced by the ideology of Mohan Das Gandhi, who was the founder and father of the Indian freedom movement from the British Colonizers. Colonization influenced a major portion of Indian external and internal policies regarding relations with foreign countries as well as economic policies. Even before the freedom of India, Indian National Congress, under the Leadership of legendry leader Gandhi, formed a small foreign department in 1925 to develop oversees relations for the publicity of the struggle for independence. In 1920 Jawaharlal Nehru originated congress’s policy for international issues. In the year 1946, Nehru presented this policy in front of the whole world, as a member of the interim government. 

During the year 1947-1964, with Nehru as the Prime Minister of India, all the basic policies regarding foreign relations took their shape and India emerged as a unified, integrated, secular and Democratic nation. India has a history of collaboration with several countries and among the developing countries; India is the keenest about expanding its relations with the international world. India’s effort towards developing international relations had a positive effect on its position among the countries of the world and imparted today, India has the power to influence in the global affairs.

India has got the privilege to be among one of the founding members of the United Nations and the non-alignment movement. In addition, India is active in various international organizations, among which the most influential and worth mentioning are WTO, ADB, SAARC and G20. India has been a keep participant in several UN peacekeeping missions. 

Trade and Investment with UK

India shares strong economic ties with UK. Relationship of India and UK dates back to 200 centuries. In the early 18th century England’s East India Company took its roots in the Indian soil. Later the authority was transferred to the crown. English colonization has strong influence on Indian lifestyle, which is prevalent in the form of largely English speaking Indian population. Moreover a large number of Indian populations are permanently residing in UK. Since the period of colonization, trade relations between India and UK have seen many radical changes. Before 2002, UK was the second leading trade partner of India. However, during the recent couple of years UK has been relegated to the status of 5th major trading partner of India. In 1991, the Indian Government relaxed the laws regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India, which resulted in with an inflow of FDI from UK to India. Some of the sectors where a lot of FDI is made by UK are Power, Oil and Gas, Telecom and services industries.