Foreign Policy of British India

Foreign policy of the Government of British India was basically foreign policy of the British, for the British, and by the British. It was decided keeping in centre the interests of London. The strategy adopted was aimed at ensuring full security to the Indian Empire, protecting all routes between Britain and India and ensuring that India’s trade and commerce were carried on in Britain’s interest. The foreign Policy of British can be studied in the light of below sub-headings:

Guarding the Land: The Three Fold Frontier System

The immediate neighbourhood of British India comprised of Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Burma – and British were apprehended of none of them. Inside India, they had territories of French and Portuguese, which also did not cause much anxiety. British had constantly developed a threefold frontier system to guard their territories. Firstly, there was an inner line around the fully administered sovereignty of British Raj. Within this line were embedded the princely states which were somewhat sovereign in domestic matters. Secondly, beyond the Inner Line, the British drew an Outer Line that was not exactly a boundary. It was mainly tribal areas in the outermost regions of British India {these included what we know as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on Pak-Afghan border today; North East Frontier Agency on the border with Tibet etc.}. In this Outer line, British did not exercise full sovereignty but had created loose arrangements with tribal leaders in such a way that they would manage their own affairs but also contribute to the security of frontiers. At the third level, British created a system of protectorates and buffer states, which were formally sovereign but bound to the Raj in a treaty system in such a way that it excluded the influence of Britain’s rival great powers from Europe.

Concept of Buffer State and Ring Fence

We note here that buffer state as a concept of International politics was devised by British-India only and came into vogue somewhere in 1880s. The buffer state was given internal freedom but was expected to exclude all extraneous influences in the conduct of foreign relations. It was an intervening zone sufficient to prevent direct contact between the dominions of Great Britain and those of other great military Powers.

In 19^th century, the British gradually created a series of buffer states along the land boundary of the empire which was called the “ring fence”. As mentioned earlier, British were not worried of these countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. Most of these were undeveloped and remained weak. Relations with these were mostly carried out by the Indian branch of government.

Beyond these were the powerful Russian Empire and Chinese Empire. Relations with Russia and China were maintained by the British government at London.

Relations with States on the Indian Ocean Rim

Since Britain was an island state, much of its trade and economy depended on effective sea communication. There was a determination to maintain control over all the sea routes from and to India. The most important among these routes was the Middle East region because it formed the strategic corridor between Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Aden acquired strategic significance when a railway was built across the Isthmus of Suez. British seized it in 1839 and made it a part of Bombay Presidency. In 1841, they established an agency at Zanzibar to secure the Cape Route. This agency was kept under Sultan of Muscat. Further, with the principalities of Gulf such as Kuwait, Bahrain etc. British concluded a series of treaties. The importance of this region further increased when Suez Canal opened in 1869 and little later the “Scramble for Africa” started.

We note here that until 1883, the expenditures of maintaining agency at Zanzibar were incurred from India, when London decided to take it over. However, Government of India was made to pay subsidy to Sultan of Muscat till 1947. By advent of 20^th century, the interests of merchants of Bombay developed there. Under the Welby Commission, 1902, the region of concern in the Government of India’s foreign policy / influence of British Indian army was expanded to include the areas around Suez Canal, including Egypt; Eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea; Arabian Coast; Persian Gulf and Islands in Indian Ocean except Madagascar. The treaties were signed by British Government while the British Government of India was made to share the recurring expenses and paid for standing assets such as land, buildings and transport in these regions. On one side, it resulted in great financial savings for British; on the other hand, it drained Indian money. But nevertheless, it also enhanced the international status of India and added in galvanization of Indian National consciousness.

Association with International Bodies

India’s impressive contribution to WW-I led to its recognition in international arena. During that war, India was accepted into the Imperial War Conference and Imperial Conference later. India signed Treaty of Versailles and became an original member of the League of Nations. It assured India membership at ILO, Permanent Court of International Justice and other bodies.

We note here that in making India join these bodies, there were vested British interests too. Firstly, they needed to emphasize on universality of British Empire. Secondly, they hoped to get additional weightage in League Councils in terms of votes.

For Indians also, this was helpful in several ways. Firstly, the Indian Delegation to the League of Nations was made of three members who were all Indians. From their speech, loyalty to British had to reflect naturally, but along with that they were also able to present Indian point of view. They were able to raise their voice against the injustice done in budget of the League whereby India was made to contribute more funds than any other non-permanent member. It was their effort that by 1930s, the contribution from India to League was reduced by 30%. Secondly, they used these forums to raise issues such as equality of treatment for all humans and economic injustices done in the attitude of developed countries.

In the aftermath of WW-II, India was made a member of United Nations. India also participated in the Breton Woods Conference in 1944.