Inder Kumar Gujral Biography PM

 Inder Kumar Gujral was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 12th Prime Minister of India from April 1997 to March 1998. He was born on December 4, 1919, in Jhelum, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan), and he passed away on November 30, 2012, in Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

Gujral came from a political family, with his father being a freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Congress. He completed his education at Forman Christian College in Lahore and later pursued law at the Government Law College in Lahore.

Gujral actively participated in India's struggle for independence from British rule. After independence, he joined the Indian National Congress and worked closely with leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 1964 and remained a member until 1976.

In 1977, Gujral joined the Janata Party and became the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Janata Party government. He held several ministerial positions in subsequent governments, including Minister of External Affairs from 1989 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 1997.

Gujral's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by his government's "Gujral Doctrine" in foreign policy, which aimed to improve relations with India's neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan. The doctrine advocated non-reciprocity in India's relations with smaller neighboring countries, emphasizing India's commitment to resolving disputes and promoting regional cooperation.

However, Gujral's tenure as Prime Minister was short-lived, as his government lost a vote of confidence in the Parliament in 1998. After stepping down as Prime Minister, he continued to be active in politics and served as a Rajya Sabha member until his retirement in 2004.

Inder Kumar Gujral was known for his soft-spoken and moderate approach to politics. He was respected for his integrity and commitment to secularism and social justice. His contributions to India's foreign policy and his efforts to improve relations with neighboring countries remain noteworthy aspects of his political legacy.