Forward Policy
Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Forward Policy was India's policy, from 1961, of setting up military posts in areas that China also claimed. These areas were in Ladakh and in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), today's Arunachal Pradesh. The aim was to show on the ground that the land belonged to India. China called it provocation, meaning a move meant to start trouble. It is often discussed as one cause of the 1962 war.
Example
After talks with Zhou Enlai failed in April 1960, India from 1961 placed posts in disputed areas of Ladakh and NEFA. China then attacked on both fronts from 20 October 1962. India suffered a heavy defeat, especially in the east.
Don't confuse with
- Panchsheel: this was the 1954 promise of peaceful coexistence between India and China. The Forward Policy came later, when that friendship had already broken down.