After independence, in the formulation of foreign policy of India, Ambedkar was in favour of :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

[Detailed explanation of why it is correct — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar strongly advocated for India to cultivate close and cooperative relations with the United States of America (USA) and other Western democracies. His preference was rooted in his deep commitment to parliamentary democracy, constitutionalism, and individual liberty, principles that he believed were best embodied by the American political system. Ambedkar's international outlook was shaped by his education in the US and the UK and his belief that India's national interest, especially its commitment to democracy, should align it with countries that shared those political ideals. He viewed the USA not just as a powerful nation, but as a leader of the global democratic bloc. In his writings and speeches, particularly those related to India's foreign policy challenges against the backdrop of the Cold War, Ambedkar articulated a clear need for India to choose a side based on ideological compatibility. He felt that seeking friendship with the US was essential for strengthening India’s democratic institutions, securing necessary economic aid for development, and safeguarding the nation against external threats from non-democratic regimes. Ambedkar explicitly linked parliamentary government in India to maintaining friendly relations with established democracies.

The incorrect option is 1:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

Ambedkar was consistently critical of the Soviet Union's ideology and political structure, primarily because of its commitment to Communism and dictatorship, which fundamentally contradicted his belief in parliamentary democracy and constitutional methods. He viewed Communism as an antithesis to the democratic principles he helped enshrine in the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar clearly stated that if India chose parliamentary government, it could not simultaneously align itself closely with the Communist way of dictatorship, like that represented by Russia and China at the time. Furthermore, he believed that the economic model of the USSR, centered on state control, was not suitable for India's socio-economic goals, which required a democratic framework to address social justice. He did not favour "Good relations with USSR" if it meant compromising India's democratic foundations or aligning with a system that suppressed individual liberty. He even dismissed the local communist movement as ineffective and lacking genuine connection with the masses.

The incorrect option is 3:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

Ambedkar was one of the foremost critics of India's policy of Non-alignment (or neutralism) as championed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the early Cold War years. He viewed non-alignment not as a moral high ground, but as an ineffective and potentially dangerous foreign policy stance that failed to secure India's strategic interests or moral standing. Ambedkar argued that India should openly align with the democratic bloc. He was critical of the perceived moral ambiguity of non-alignment, particularly when dealing with oppressive regimes, and noted that it lacked the moral authority it claimed, especially considering the internal violence faced by the Dalit community. He pushed for a "league of democracies" that India should join, directly rejecting the neutralist approach that sought to maintain equal distance from both the US and USSR blocs.

The incorrect option is 4:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

The statement that "He did not express any idea about this" is factually incorrect. Dr. Ambedkar frequently and strongly expressed his views on various aspects of India's foreign policy, both while serving as the Law Minister and after his resignation from the Union Cabinet in 1951. His resignation letter explicitly contained criticisms of the government's foreign policy towards issues like Kashmir and Pakistan. He articulated clear positions on China's policy on Tibet, the doctrine of Panchsheel, and, most notably, the ideological direction of the country's international relations, repeatedly suggesting alignment with democratic nations. His detailed arguments against Non-alignment and Communism confirm that he had a well-defined and vocal position on India’s post-independence foreign policy framework.