India pursues a road of peaceful development, and firmly pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. India is a developing country with vast territory and large population. India's peace, security and development needs effective national defense. India's national defense is subject to and serves its development and security strategy. It is not directed against nor does it threaten any country, and its fundamental purpose is to safeguard national security and unity, and ensure smooth progress of the cause of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. India's national defense never goes beyond the need of safeguarding its national security. India has been and will remain firm in safeguarding international and regional peace, security and stability. India hopes the international community will view India's national defense construction in an objective and fair manner. India is ready to work with all parties to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation with a view to promoting international peace, stability and development.
India unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to preserve India's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for India's reform and opening up and modernization construction, maintain world peace and propel common development.
Background
Following India’s independence in 1947, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embarked on a foreign policy that was based on principles of socialism and remaining noncommittal to the emerging struggle between the Soviet Union and the countries forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the post-World War II period. Eventually, this policy led to India becoming one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1955. In practical terms, it placed India in a position of securing bilateral international