In the previous post, we have read about the administrative and economic reforms during the period of Lord Curzon. We have seen that all the reforms were having the objective to suppress Nationalistic feelings among people and to appease people.
Here in this post, we shall read the Foreign Policy of Lord Curzon.
Foreign Policy of Lord Curzon
From the Chandragupta Maurya to Narendra Damodar Das Modi, the fundamental principle of India’s Foreign Policy is Live and Let Live. Because,
- Indian sub-continent is surrounded by areas with though geographical conditions.
- India was famous for its products which had a big world market. So, the neighbors of India were the path of the prosperity of India. (Except one born Badtameez neighbor. 😉 )
But with the beginning of British rule in India, the foreign policy made just opposite to the previous one. Britishers reversed the foreign policy and followed the policy of conquest and aggression.
Victims of Aggressive Policy
Initial victims were Nepal, Burma, Afghanistan, etc. But when the Curzon arrived in India, the enemies of British Empires were active in Asia. So, in this background, Lord Curzon once again adopted aggressive Foreign Policy. His victims were Persia and Tibet.
Persia gave shelter to France. Britain and France did not have good relations. Though both were on the same side during World War-I and World War-II. Whereas Tibet was entertaining Russia. So, Curzon after he failed in diplomatic appeals to both Persia and Tibet.
Lord Curzon sent the military expedition under Major Douglas to Persia and Major Young Husband to Tibet. So, all these neighbors were defeated and brought in line. As all the previous reforms. The foreign policy of Lord Curzon was having to distinguish agendas.
Declared Agenda
He declared that these steps were to protect India from foreign invasion. Because India has a long history of invasions from Aryans to Afghanis. (Though the Britishers were too foreign invaders 😛 )
Hidden Agenda
The real agenda was Curzon wanted to save the British interest in India. He did not want that any other imperialistic power conquers India.
This was the foreign diplomacy of Lord Curzon. In the coming post, we shall read about the Partition of Bengal and its impact on India.
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