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1
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A State attains some
of its national objectives by adopting and implementing its domestic
policies. However as it is interrelated with other states, it
becomes necessary to adopt policies that would persuade other
states to react favorably. To attain such objectives, a state
needs to establish diplomatic relations with other states and
work in concert towards joint resolutions and cooperative implementations
of common issues. The conduct of such relations in a systematic
and consistent manner is said to be the Foreign Policy of a State.
Both domestic and Foreign Policies are intended to attain objectives
of national interest. They are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
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| 2 |
To study the Foreign
Policy of a State it is necessary to observe the basic objectives
of its policy or its fundamental strategy. In adopting a Foreign
Policy, States usually adopt one of the following principles:-
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a
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isolationism
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b
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non-alignment
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c
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polarization
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| 3 |
Myanmar, since achieving
independence, and for quite some time thereafter, adopted and
practised an “independent”and “non-aligned”Foreign
Policy. Evolution of the objectives of this policy may be observed
as follows-
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a.
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At
the time of Myanmar’s independence, the international system
has an Eastern and Western bloc, between which a “Cold War”
was raging. It was also the time when colonial nations were regaining
their independence.These newly independent states were in favour
of adopting “independent” Foreign Policies,”
“independent”in the sense of being totally free of
outside influence.
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b.
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For
Myanmar, which wrested independence with great difficulty, only
an “independent” Foreign Policy was congruent with
independence.
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c.
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Concurrently
with independence, Myanmar faced an internal insurgency and therefore
wished to avoid a disastrous contention on its soil between the
Eastern and Western blocs.Hence it wished to be non-aligned between
the two great blocs.
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d.
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At the time of independence,
it was essential to prioritize on economic and social reconstruction.It
was declared at that time that foreign assistance , without any
strings attached from both sides, will be accepted.
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e.
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As
Myanmar is geographically situated between two highly populous
nations, India and China, it desired to be independent and non-aligned.
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| 4 |
For the above mentioned
reasons Myanmar consistently practised an Independent and non-aligned
Foreign Policy.
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