Foreign policy

The foreign policy of a state, it is often argued, begins and ends with the border. No doubt an exaggeration, this aphorism nevertheless has an 1 of truth. A state's relation with its neighbours, at least in the 2 years, are greatly influenced by its frontier policy, especially when there are no 3 borders. Empire builders in the past sought to extend imperial frontiers for a variety of reasons; subjugation of kings and princes to gain their 4 (as well as handsome tributes or the coffers of the state), and, security of the 'core' of the empire from external attacks by establishing a string of buffer states in areas adjoining the frontiers. The history of British empire in India was no different. It is important to note in this connection that the concept of international boundaries (between two sovereign states), demarcated and 5, was yet to emerge in India under Mughal rule.