With the death of Mr. Nehru earlier this year, the world has lost a statesman of the highest calibre. There are not many world leaders who have thought as deeply as he did about the philosophy and methodology of international relations; and still fewer who, having thought, have striven honestly to put into practice their ideas. His philosophy was noble and honest; his methods gave the promise of a world without war.

India's foreign policy was the direct responsibility of Nehru. Since the 1930s he was the Congress Party's spokesman on foreign affairs, and his authority remained unchallenged, since he combined the External Affairs portfolio with the Prime Ministership. Parliament and the Press gave general approval to his actions, both being Congress dominated.

The Foreign Service, another potential source of opposition in a democracy to the policy of the External Affairs minister, was also behind Nehru.

In fact the only possible challenger to Nehru's supremacy was Krishna Menon, and even he had no motive for attempting to formulate an independent line. He was an intimate friend of Nehru's from the 1930s, and the policy he put forward when he was India's delegate to the UN, was Nehru's, though his methods were certainly more vigorous. Menon alienated many in America by his apparent left wing views, but he is no Communist, and shared Nehru's devotion to Indian interests. He was very much a junior partner to Nehru, and we may safely say that the sole responsibility for Indian foreign policy rested with Nehru.