The Gujral Doctrine is associated with which of the following broad policy ideas?

Introduction / Context:
The Gujral Doctrine refers to a set of foreign policy principles articulated by former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral when he was India's External Affairs Minister and later Prime Minister. These principles guided India's approach towards its immediate neighbours in South Asia. This question checks whether you understand the central idea that underlies the doctrine.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The term Gujral Doctrine is linked specifically to foreign policy and regional relations. - The options offer different policy goals, some internal and some external. - Only one option correctly captures the essence of the doctrine. - We assume standard political science and international relations sources as reference. - The question requires conceptual understanding rather than numerical data.

Concept / Approach:
The Gujral Doctrine emphasised building trust, goodwill and closer cooperation between India and its neighbours through unilateral gestures, non reciprocity for smaller neighbours and peaceful resolution of disputes. It is not directly about domestic security, Naxal areas or food policy. The correct conceptual summary is that the doctrine relates to building trust between India and its neighbours and shaping a friendlier regional environment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that I. K. Gujral outlined a five point doctrine focusing on relations with immediate neighbours like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and others. Step 2: The doctrine emphasised unilateral concessions by India, non interference, respect for sovereignty and the idea that India should not insist on reciprocity from smaller neighbours. Step 3: These points clearly belong to the field of foreign policy and regional diplomacy, not to internal security or sector specific policies. Step 4: Option A, about building trust between India and its neighbours, matches this overall idea directly. Step 5: Options B and C talk about insurgent groups and Naxal dominated areas, which are internal security issues, not the focus of the Gujral Doctrine. Step 6: Option D deals with food security and Option E with global nuclear disarmament, neither of which describe the core of the doctrine. Step 7: Therefore, the correct answer is building trust between India and its neighbours.

Verification / Alternative check:
Political science and civil services preparation material usually define the Gujral Doctrine in one line as a set of principles to build trust and better relations with India's neighbours, including unilateral concessions and focus on mutual confidence. These notes seldom mention food security or domestic counter insurgency in connection with this doctrine. Since option A reproduces this idea accurately, it is confirmed as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (Initiate dialogue with all insurgent groups in India) is wrong because it describes an internal security approach, not a foreign policy doctrine targeting neighbouring states. Option C (Undertake development projects in Naxal dominated areas) is wrong because it relates to internal development policy, mainly in affected districts within India. Option D (Ensure national food security) is wrong since food security is a separate policy area and not the focus of the Gujral Doctrine. Option E (Promote global nuclear disarmament) is wrong because although India supports disarmament, the Gujral Doctrine is specifically about regional relations in South Asia.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to treat the word doctrine as a generic label and associate it with any major policy area such as internal security, food or energy. Students also sometimes confuse different doctrines in Indian foreign policy like the Gujral Doctrine and later neighbourhood policies. To avoid such confusion, it is important to remember that the Gujral Doctrine is explicitly framed as a set of principles aimed at building trust and cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Final Answer:
The Gujral Doctrine is primarily associated with the idea to build trust between India and its neighbours.