India’s Balancing Act: Neutrality, Diplomacy, and Humanitarian Aid in the Korean War

The Korean War (1950–1953) stands as one of the earliest and most defining conflicts of the Cold War period, shaped by the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. While the historiography of the conflict has focused predominantly on the military campaigns of the major powers and the internal dynamics of the two Koreas, India’s diplomatic, humanitarian, and peace implementation role remains comparatively underexplored. As a newly independent post-colonial State, India entered the conflict not as a combatant but as a mediator, combining principled neutrality, humanitarian assistance, and high-level institutional diplomacy. This article argues that India’s contribution extended far beyond humanitarian assistance, demonstrating how a middle power could exercise influence disproportionate to its material capabilities through diplomatic credibility, institutional leadership, and humanitarian action.