Indira Doctrine
Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Indira Doctrine was an informal idea of the 1970s and 1980s. "Informal" means it was never written down as an official policy. It held that no outside power should interfere in South Asia. India treated the region as its sphere of influence, meaning an area where it expected to have the main say. The idea is often likened to the Monroe Doctrine of the United States, which warned outside powers to stay out of the Americas.
Example
In this period India acted firmly in its neighbourhood. In 1987 it sent the IPKF to Sri Lanka at Colombo's request, and in 1988 it foiled a coup in the Maldives through Operation Cactus.
Don't confuse with
- Gujral Doctrine (1996-97): under this, India gave to and accommodated smaller neighbours without asking for anything in return, and stressed non-interference. The Indira Doctrine was about keeping outside powers out of the region.
Related concepts
- India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty
- India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship
- Shastri-Sirimavo Pact
- Katchatheevu agreement
- Indo-Sri Lanka Accord
- Indian Peace Keeping Force
- Operation Cactus
- Ganga Waters Treaty
- Gujral Doctrine