NEHRU, Jawaharlal.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Portrait photograph inscribed to German foreign minister Heinrich von Brentano. Inscribed by Nehru at foot "To Dr Heinrich von Brentano with all good wishes Jawaharlal Nehru 16.7.1956". Heinrich von Brentano (1904-1964) was West German foreign minister from 1955 to 1961; Nehru was prime minister of India throughout the same period.Diplomatic relations between India and West Germany were established in 1951. The photograph was inscribed during Nehru's first visit to West Germany. "Diplomatically well prepared, Nehru's first visit to Germany as India's prime minister in July 1956 was a success. Nehru was impressed with the cordial reception and also by his conversations with [chancellor] Adenauer" (Rothermund, p. 4). Nehru and Brentano's relations were generally positive. Nehru skilfully cultivated both sides during the Cold War, but leant towards the West, and he refrained from recognizing East Germany. West Germany provided economic aid to India, and German cultural institutes were founded in several Indian cities. West Germany and India's relations would decline in the coming two decades, with Germany condemning the Indian annexation of Goa in 1961, and criticizing India's support for the liberation movement in East Pakistan.Nehru's portrait was taken by Yousuf Karsh, one of the great photographers of the 20th century, whose sitters included Churchill, Eisenhower, Khrushchev, Truman, and Indira Gandhi.

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