Q. One of our Prime Ministers , Mr. IK Gujral had propounded a doctrine in early nineties which has come to be known as “Gujral Doctrine”. Which among the following statements gives an economic essence of Gujral Doctrine?
Answer: India offered unilateral concessions and benefits to all its neighbors, without expecting them to make reciprocal gestures to India
Notes: The correct answer is that the Gujral Doctrine emphasized unilateral concessions and benefits to India's neighbors without expecting reciprocity. This approach aimed to foster goodwill and cooperation in South Asia, reflecting India's desire for regional stability and integration. The doctrine was a shift from previous policies that focused on reciprocity and was instrumental in improving relations with smaller neighbors like Nepal and Bhutan. Notably, it laid the groundwork for initiatives like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which promotes economic and regional cooperation among South Asian countries.