Foreign Policy Of The Raj
Up until 1947, the policy of the British Raj was ‘Of the British, by the British, for the British’.
The aim of the foreign policy back then was to serve in the best interests of Britain rather than India. The British government showed a single minded purpose of defending the borders of India from any invasion that could have taken place. Taking the topic of the ‘Foreign Policy of the British: Britain and defence of the Indian Empire 1900-1947’, Dr Sneh Mahajan gave a lecture on the same. She explained the nuances of the policy and how it affected the geo-political scenario of South Asia.
Dr. Mahajan with her lecture
The lecture was chaired by Partha S Ghosh.Dr Mahajan started the lecture saying, that the term ‘Raj’ is usually, if not exclusively, used for British rule in the Indian subcontinent from 1858 to 1947. In contemporary usage, the region was commonly called India and less commonly the Indian Empire. It was around 1900 that British started feeling uncomfortable about their international position. It was at this time that the government of India’s foreign policy with neighbouring countries acquired a new nutrient. She showed her surprise about the fact that there is no recent book on India’s foreign policy. And the reason for that is that the focus at that time of the history was on India’s independence struggle. In the middle of 19th century, Britain was a flourishing nation with robust economy, a strong naval force and an empire that was 1/4th of the total surface area of the earth. It was imperative for the British policy makers to maintain Britain’s status. India was a vital point for the surface.
“India constituted 97% of the British Empire in Asia and hence it was a vital point for the British.” said Dr Mahajan. There was a popular opinion, across Europe, that loss of India would be a huge blow to the British Empire. This created unity and harmony between authorities in London and troops in Delhi.
The duo at the lecture
The grand policy of the British focused mainly on three things. First, ensuring full security of the Indian empire. Secondly, protecting roots and third that India’s trading and commerce remains in Britain’s favour. The most important feature of the government of India, until 1947, was “India was the colony of the British”. The expenses of governing India, its defence and of maintaining diplomatic relations were borne by the Indian Territory. The British saw Russia as a threat to India. They maintained good relation with Afghanistan and Iran, thus creating a buffer region. In 1904, the British diplomat in India put forward an idea to deploy hundred thousand troops. Britain on the other hand said that it could only provide for forty-eight thousand troops. Finally fifty-two thousand troops were sent as not sending the troops would have signalled all the wrong reasons to the world.
British Government was against the policy of advance in Tibet by any state. It was concluded at a cabinet meeting, in 1903, that it would be disastrous to let Russia take a commanding position in Lhasa. British were conscious of the fact the ‘Raj’ was based on awe and if Russia takes an advantageous point in Tibet it could lead to results that were uncalled for. But Tibet on the other hand refused to bend and that lead to many atrocities being committed. But having no means to advance against the Raj, the Tibetans tried to resist by getting in the path of the army and refusing to give way. Some seven hundred Tibetans were killed. After that Dalai Lama came into the picture and negotiations were carried out with him with the consent of Beijing. Tibetans made it very clear that it would not bend against any power. Under the Anglo-Russian treaty, signed on 31st August 1907, the British and the Russians agreed not to intervene in Tibet internal administration and recognise nominal sovereignty of China.
Dr. Partha chairing the event
To conclude Dr Mahajan made a few remarks. The British showed great determination to hold onto India. Foreign policy of India was always in Britain’s interest. Britain’s determination to hold onto India decisively influenced its relations with other European countries. India was a colony of Britain and the government of India was an arm of Britain. The latter was given the task of maintaining relations with the neighbouring states. She also added, “Westerners long argued that British didn’t benefit from its empire. It was a costly affair for British. A flame not worth the candle, so to say”. A closer look at the Raj’s foreign policy reveals that “Britain took very far reaching precautions for the defence of their Indian Empire”. It is also said that Africa was partitioned to ensure its hold on India. India inherited the foreign policy establishment and institutional structure. The heritage of involvement in the international relations also facilitated independent India’s foreign relations. The legacy of the Raj has been the delineation of northern frontier. The government of India felt that the northern frontier is the most economically defended frontier in the world. But today India’s relations with China and Pakistan remains perpetually tense. The result is that the Indo-China border has the biggest military build-up in the world. And with this she ended the lecture.
DrSneh Mahajan started as a teacher of History in IndraprasthaCollege. She also had a stint at the London School of Economics. This lecture was the theme of her upcoming book.
