Correct option is A
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. Statement I accurately reflects a central focus of India's foreign policy, which has historically been concerned with maintaining its territorial integrity, fostering a strong sense of nationhood, and ensuring the independence of its decision-making processes. These concerns have been shaped by India's experiences with colonialism, partition, and subsequent conflicts with neighboring countries. Statement II points to how the structural logic of global bipolar conflict, most notably during the Cold War era, has influenced regional conflicts, including the protracted conflict between India and Pakistan. This regional rivalry has often been seen as a microcosm of larger global tensions, with the two countries aligning with different superpowers for military and economic support, thus reflecting the larger bipolar conflict dynamics on a regional scale.
Information Booster:
• Global Bipolar Conflict: Refers to the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies.
• Territorial Integrity: This principle under international law states that nations should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other sovereign states.
• Independence of Decision-Making: This involves a country's ability to formulate and execute its foreign policy decisions without external coercion, reflecting its sovereignty and national interests.