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Indian Foreign Policy Evolution (1857-1947): Universal Brotherhood to Moral Nationalism



George Tanham (1992) famously argued that political elites in India showed "little evidence of having thought coherently or systematically about national strategy." This narrative is build upon the old idea of India under British rule but no doubt; it holds some merit in saying this. Indian foreign policy objectives were never clearly defined. It doesn't make sense advocating 'non-alignment' policy and securing a friendship treaty with one of the powers. Neither it makes sense having a closer ties with the US but expecting Russia to remain friend. India always has this contradictory foreign policy approach since late 19th century. Indian view on world politics still resembles the precedents rooted in the past.
If we have a closer look between 1857 to 1947, we might get some clue on why India lacks a cohesive foreign policy outlook.

The 19th Century India
The Indian view on International Relations was shaped by three underpinning thoughts:
1. Universal Brotherhood
2. The Ancient Wisdom on Statecraft
3. Liberal Nationalism 

1. Universal Brotherhood

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Niraamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu
Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning: 
1: Om, May the entire Humanity be Happy & Prosperous ,
2: May entire Humanity be Free from blemish /filth,garbage physically /mentally
3: May the entire Humanity See what is Auspicious,
4: May no one pass through Pain /Agony and Suffering .
5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

The 19th century thinkers like Keshub Chandra Sen and Swami Vivekananda professed spiritual and moral unity of human race. After 1857 Indian Revolution, the Britishers consolidated India and its boundaries and imposed harsh regulating acts. Sen once gave a lecture on a topic titled Jesus Christ: Europe and Asia, examining how Indians and Englishmen might regulate their relations. He argued that English instead of forgiveness inculcated by Christ, took the road of repression of Indian masses. Similarly, in another lecture (Asia's Message to the Europe) given in Calcutta 1883, he argued for peaceful coexistence. 

Swami Vivekananda forwarded Hinduism as a way to universal brotherhood. He observed that Europe was trying to understand: "how much a man can have, how much more power a man can possess by hook or crook".  Nations continue to fail and rise, what makes them survive - by "giving up senses". This was where India stood out. India was the "only nation that never went beyond its frontiers to cut the throats of its neighbors". To sum up, he professed "the spirtiualization of human race" as a way out of world-conflict.

2. The Ancient Wisdom on Statecraft
Long-before the influential book on statecraft, The Prince, by Nicholas Machiavelli, Indian ancient books such as Hitopadesa, Manu Smirti, Nitisara, Agni Purana and Arthashastra provided in-depth prescriptions on how a ruler should conduct foreign affairs. For instance, in the Book VII of Manu Smirti, the rulers are instructed to 'strive to gain' what they have not yet gained, and to carefully preserve 'what they have already gained'. 

3. Liberal Nationalism
Liberal nationalism were propounded by Dadabhai Nauroji, Pherozshah Mehta and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, deeply influenced by French Revolution and American independence. For instance, Nauroji called on British to refrain from Opium Trade with China. 

In the next blog titled "Moral Nationalism", I will cover this topic with special reference to Tilak, Bankimchandra and Aurobindo Ghosh. 

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