GS Paper 1
Syllabus: History of the World
Source: IE
Context: In its G20 year, India has shown renewed interest in the only other diplomatic intervention by India in a distant war (apart from the recent Russian-Ukraine) seven decades ago – The Korean War.
The Korean war:
- It was fought between North Korea (supported by China and the then Soviet Union and invaded South Korea) and South Korea (supported by the US and allied countries) in 1950 and ended with an armistice in 1953.
- It was the result of the Cold War rivalry between the then superpowers US (capitalist) and the Soviet Union (communist).
- The peninsula had been divided at the end of World War II along the 38th Parallel, with Soviet and US forces occupying the North and South respectively.
- In 1948, after the two Koreas declared themselves separate countries, and held their own elections, the occupying forces departed.
- However, neither the North nor the South accepted the other and both claim the entire Korean peninsula even today.
India’s lesser-known role in the war:
- India played a unique role, having no specific geo-political interests in the Korean Peninsula and maintaining a neutral position, and believing in the reunification of the peninsula.
- India’s view at this time was that giving the People’s Republic of China admission into the UNSC could provide a resolution in Korea.
- India made a huge diplomatic push to prevent an escalation into another world war, and for the parties to arrive at a quick ceasefire.
- India sent the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, which did outstanding work treating wounded soldiers.
India at the UN:
- At the time of the invasion, India was among the six non-permanent members of the UNSC.
- During its rotating presidency, 3 resolutions (moved by the US) on the war came up in quick succession. For example, calling for a withdrawal of North troops from South territory, etc.
- The urgent problem of what to do with the prisoners of war was given to K. Krishna Menon – India’s Permanent Representative to the UN and a member of the UN’s Special Political Committee.
- A Neutral Nations Repatriation Committee was set up and India was selected to chair the committee.
Conclusion:
- In an essay, ‘Between the Blocs: India, the UN, and Ending the Korean War’, British historian Robert Barnes recognised the key role played by India
- To bring the Korean war to a swift conclusion by reconciling the divergent positions of the two superpower blocs, and
- Prevent the UN from adopting a policy that might lead to its escalation.
- As the world grapples to find an end to the war in Ukraine, India’s role and its experience (in ending the Korean war,70 years ago) can’t be neglected.
Insta Links: India-South Korea
