Why did Nehru regard conduct of foreign relations as an essential indicator of independence? State any two reasons with examples to support your reading.
Jawaharlal Nehru regarded the conduct of foreign relations as an essential indicator of independence because it allowed the nation to assert its autonomy and pursue its own national agenda without external dictation.
First, an independent foreign policy was necessary to preserve the hard-earned sovereignty of the nation. Nehru wished to achieve this objective through the strategy of non-alignment, which allowed India to view things independently and maintain friendly relations with all countries rather than tying itself to military blocs.
Second, it was essential for protecting territorial integrity and promoting rapid economic development. By conducting foreign relations independently, India aimed to achieve security through the maintenance of peace. For example, despite domestic pressure from parties like the Bharatiya Jan Sangh to align with the US bloc, Nehru prioritized independent decision-making to ensure these objectives were met.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the text which lists the 'three major objectives of Nehru’s foreign policy' as preserving sovereignty, protecting territorial integrity, and promoting economic development. The text explicitly links these objectives to the strategy of non-alignment. The 'example' aspect is addressed by citing the strategy of non-alignment used to maintain independence from military blocs, and the reference to domestic pressure from parties like the Bharatiya Jan Sangh which Nehru resisted to maintain an independent stance.