Former diplomat Shivshankar Menon asserted that the 1962 war with China was not a failure of India’s non-alignment policy, but rather a failure of its China policy, as demonstrated by the global support India received regardless of ideological differences. Menon emphasized that the true measure of a policy’s success lies in its outcomes rather than external perceptions. Former ambassador Shyam Saran highlighted the importance of India’s role in international solidarity, reflecting on the significant diplomatic principles established by Jawaharlal Nehru. This discourse reinforces the notion that India’s strategic partnerships during crises can enhance its international standing and underscore its diplomatic influence.