Explain Challenges of Nehruvian model of foreign policy.

The Nehruvian model of foreign policy, spearheaded by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, faced several challenges during its implementation:

1. Non-alignment and Cold War dynamics: The cornerstone of Nehru's foreign policy was non-alignment, which aimed to maintain India's independence and autonomy by avoiding alignment with any major power bloc during the Cold War. However, navigating the complexities of the Cold War era proved challenging, as India faced pressure from both the United States and the Soviet Union to align with their respective camps. This balancing act sometimes strained India's relations with both superpowers and limited its maneuverability in international affairs.

2. Border disputes and territorial conflicts: India's unresolved border disputes with neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and China, posed significant challenges to Nehru's foreign policy. The Indo-Pakistani conflicts over Kashmir and the Sino-Indian border war of 1962 highlighted the limitations of Nehru's approach to resolving territorial disputes through diplomacy and non-violence. These conflicts strained India's relations with its neighbors and undermined its efforts to project itself as a leader of the non-aligned movement.

3. Economic constraints and development priorities: The Nehruvian model of foreign policy prioritized economic development and self-reliance, which required substantial resources and investments in key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. However, India's limited economic resources and the demands of domestic development often constrained its ability to pursue ambitious foreign policy objectives, such as promoting decolonization, supporting liberation movements, and providing aid to developing countries.

4. Limited diplomatic outreach and institutional capacity: While Nehru played a prominent role on the world stage and helped shape the principles of non-alignment and decolonization, India's diplomatic outreach was sometimes hampered by limited institutional capacity and resources. The Ministry of External Affairs faced challenges in building diplomatic networks, gathering intelligence, and conducting effective negotiations, which affected India's ability to pursue its foreign policy goals with consistency and coherence.

5. Legacy of colonialism and regional rivalries: India's colonial legacy and historical animosities with neighboring countries, such as Pakistan and China, continued to influence its foreign policy decisions during the Nehruvian era. The partition of British India and the legacy of communal violence created tensions with Pakistan, while the unresolved border dispute with China and the legacy of the British "divide and rule" policy in the Himalayan region complicated India's relations with its northern neighbor.

In conclusion, while Nehru's foreign policy vision was ambitious and idealistic, it faced numerous challenges in implementation, including navigating Cold War dynamics, resolving territorial disputes, balancing economic and development priorities, building diplomatic capacity, and managing regional rivalries. Despite these challenges, Nehru's legacy continues to shape India's foreign policy approach, emphasizing principles of non-alignment, multilateralism, and strategic autonomy.