The role of the Indian ideology and identity in external relations

Ideology is a system of concept that concerns life and cultural issues from divine guidance. It includes human life that consists of theories, assertions and objectives of being in a particular society. An individual in a particular society has a common ideology that reflects human experiences and practices. The identity of Indians in respect to their ideology has far reaching impact in foreign policies.

The effects of Indian identity and ideology on external relationship are either positive or negative. Positive effects are the particular practices or beliefs that make other foreign bodies to have interest in the culture of Indians as one major true identity. The negative effect of Indian identity and ideology is inclusive of certain practices that are not attractive to external community. Indian identity and ideology is linked to political reality that creates relationship between India and other foreign communities through interaction of various leaders. (Mondal, 2003, p.17).

Indian identity and ideology began in the 19th century during a time of British rule that had governed the Indian sub-continent. India has been a collection of different cultures and entities that were hard to be identified. The existence of different cultures, languages and way of life in India made it difficult for different rulers to lead the nation well. This is one major aspect of Indian culture led to bad external relationship. Many foreign leaders could not identify Indias residents and this made it difficult for foreign leaders to establish strong leadership policies.

The identity of Indians is a social forum that aims at establishing specific entities that are associated to external relationships (Maddox, 2002, p.60). Cultural beliefs, practices, taboos such as caste system and child marriages in India have made it difficult for other parties to relate with Indians. Many foreigners never want to be associated with a country or nation that is tied to specific beliefs and taboos that cannot be changed.

One major identity of Indians that does not please foreign societies includes the issue of worship cow. It is against the teachings of Hinduism to slaughter a cow or use any other product from cow. This ideology reflects a true identity of Indians which to other cultural beliefs from external societies may not make sense (Singer, 1998, p.112). The identity of Indians through militant groups who were strong supporters of Hinduism created a strong nationalist philosophy that considered Hindu Gods and Goddesses to be the source of leadership power.

External relationship between Indians and other nations can only be associated to religion and taboos. The identity of Indians through establishment of strong political rights of rebels and extremes led to a corporation that attracted British to fight for independence. During the First World War, British promised Indians independence only if they were on their side (Cregg, 1999, p.54). The Indians offered support to British but after the war plans changed an Indians were offered political rights. This was a sign of identity because there was establishment of first Indian parliament. However, this never went for a long period of time.

A British general ordered his soldiers to shoot at Indians who were having peaceful political rally. During the attack many Indians lost their lives and this was one area that saw the identity and ideology of Indians have bad relations with external communities. The massacre led to demand for independence that was initiated by Gandhi who succeeded in joining and identifying Indians as independent people (Milton, 1999, p.41). The identity and ideology of Indians particularly during the time of fighting for independence affected Indians in respect to external relations.

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