Author: I K Gujral
Publisher: Macmillan
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 264
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0333 93681 7
Description
I K Gujral has been very closely associated with India's Foreign Policy. This book documents his tenure as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. The book chronicles the evolution of a Foreign Policy, which was both Gandhian and Nehruvian in spirit.
The guidelines that he envisioned as imperative towards forging and maintaining cordial relations with neighbouring countries are referred to as the Gujral Doctrine. This book documents his tenure as Foreign Minister (1989-90) and Prime Minister (1997-98). An attempt has been made to cull critical elements from a selection of speeches made during these two tenures, which were responsible for moulding his vision of India’s Foreign Policy. It was founded on the Firm belief that India had a pivotal role to play in establishing a peaceful and progressive subcontinent. Critical change in relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, where long-standing disputes were resolved and a healthy bilateral dialogue was constituted by Mr Gujral, are discussed and analysed in the book. It also focuses on India’s active involvement in the conception and growth of institutions like the SAARC, SAPTA, SAFTA- associations which were constituted essentially to promote regional cooperation in the field of commerce, education, defence, energy, etc.
Significant developments in the international for a during that period, like the Post-Cold War scenario, its affect on the Non-Aligned Movement, the Kashmir crisis, nuclear proliferation and the Gulf crisis find a place in the book. The book describes Mr Gujral’s efforts to uphold India’s interest while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of regional groupings like the SAARC and international bodies like the United Nations in the face of these developments.
India’s refusal to submit to pressure tactics and its resolve to maintain its firm stand regarding the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has been dealt with in the book. On the other hand its decision to sign the Convention against Chemical Weapons and the convention against Chemical Weapons and the Convention against Biological Warfare exhibiting its enduring commitment towards building a safe and warfree would is also reviewed at length.
Mr Gujral’s speeches serve as invaluable documents for a comprehensive understanding of
India’s Foreign Policy in a critical period of World History. The book would not only greatly benefit scholars of international affairs but also the informed lay reader.
Contents
India’s Foreign Policy as some world Leaders Saw It
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Prologue
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
India’s Fifty Years: Achievements, Promises and Challenges
Historical Roots of the Indian Foreign Policy
Indo-US relations: start of a New Friendship
Heritage and Promise: India of Tomorrow
A Vision of the Twentieth Century
Some Thoughts on the Soviet Collapse
Coalition Politics Come of Age
A Radical Change
Dynamics of Diplomacy
Relevance of the Commonwealth
Peace, Prosperity and Social Justice
THE GUJRAL DOCTRINE
Significance of an Independent Foreign Policy
The Spirit of NAM
Essentials of International Economic Cooperation
The End of the Cold War
CTBT and India’s Security
India’s Foreign Policy: An Overview
Price of an Independent Foreign Policy
India’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World
REGIONAL COOPERATION
The Importance of Regional Cooperation
South Asian Cooperation
Significance of Good Neighbourly Relations
The Tasks Before SAARC
The Advantages of Cordial Relations with Neighbours
A New And Cooperative Spirit
The Ganga Water’s Treaty with Bangladesh
Developments in Sino-Indian Relations
The Afghan Situation in 1996
Indo-Nepal Cooperation in a Changing World
Pakistan’s Intervention in Kashmir-I
Pakistan’s Intervention in Kashmir-II
THE GULF CRISIS
The Gulf Crisis of 1990-91
The Safety and Repatriation of Indian Nationals During the Gulf War
Our Concerns During the Gulf War
Index