Abstract: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in shaping post-independent India is enormous, particularly focusing on his doctrine of pragmatic statecraft. This paper undertakes an in-depth analysis of what can be termed the "Patel Doctrine," a strategic framework where national security and robust internal governance were inextricably linked. Patel's vision was for an "upright nation" built upon the "steel frame" of a meritocratic civil service, but equally secured by a foreign policy that prioritized national interest over prevailing ideological currents. He championed a realist approach to international relations, viewing a secure neighbourhood and a respected global standing.......
Key Word: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pragmatism, Good Governance, National Security, Foreign Policy, Statecraft, Realism, Integration of States, China, Strategic Autonomy
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