Indian Foreign Policy 1947-1954 : a study of relations with the wester bloc

Within the limite placed by the proximity to the events discussed, this study tries to survey critically ada's relations with the Western World ove the period 1987-1958 been attempted to present in the following pages all impersent statements on Indian foreign policy towards the Wee and the actions taken by the Government of India in the pursuance of a pelley.

A rather lengthy background has been presented in the first Chapter It is, however, not mere past history that has been presented there. It includes some information on the geographical position of India, the thought patterns of the Indian people and the ideological position of the ruling party during the period 1947-54. I hope that this chapter will make a useful contribution to the correct study of India's foreign relations

As it was quite impossible to discuss in detail India's relations with every country in the Western World, I have limited the detailed discussion to the relations with the leading members of the Western bloc and that, especially, where these relations influenced India's attitudes and actions with regard to the West.

This work could not have been completed without the constant advice and guidance of Prof. Dr C. D. J. Brandt, Professor of Contempo rary History, University of Utrecht, to whom I am deeply indebted. I gratefully acknowledge the constructive suggestions made by Dr B. H. M. Vlekke, Secretary General of the Netherlands Institute of International Affairs, during the early and formative stages of the work. My sincere thanks are due to the Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation, whose award of a two-year fellowship enabled me to undertake this study and its publication.