Stabilizing Power:
Purposeful, pragmatic and proactive. A shaper, not an abstainer; a stabilizer, rather than a disruptor; a net security provider and a dispenser of global good. India’s foreign policy has found a new vocabulary and framework, as articulated with masterly precision by the country’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar at the 5th edition of the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi in January 2020. Purposeful pursuit of national interests, pragmatic issue-based alignments with countries and proactive diplomatic outreach have come to characterize and configure India’s foreign policy in the 21st century. A new India is emerging in the second decade of the 21st century, which is proactively shaping the international agenda on a wide array of cross-cutting issues, including climate change, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, maritime security and the reconfiguration of global governance architecture.
New India:
Indian foreign policy is being directed to harness the network of partnerships with all friendly countries to create a ‘New India’ by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Development–focused diplomacy can be seen in the interweaving of India’s diplomatic outreach with flagship schemes of national renewal like ‘Make in India’, ‘Smart Cities,’ ‘Skill India’, and ‘Stand-up India’ and ‘Self-reliant India’. Forging robust and sustainable partnerships in technology, innovation and start-ups will be crucial to creating a New India, and making India count on the global stage.
PM Narendra Modi at UN
Shaping Global Agenda:
India has contributed significantly to creating the contemporary multilateral system. Over 2.5 million Indian soldiers volunteered to fight with the Allied armies during the Second World War, enabling India to sign the 1942 Washington “Declaration by United Nations” and subsequently the UN Charter in June 1945 in San Francisco. In June 2020, India obtained 184 out of 193 votes in the UNGA to be elected to a two-year term in the UNSC for 2021-22. This marked the eighth time since 1949 that over two-thirds of the UNGA has endorsed India’s credentials to be elected to the UNSC. Looking ahead, with the resurgent India’s growing global stature and the rising expectations the World has from it PM Modi has advocated reformed multilateralism to create a new world order that reflects the ongoing shift of power and realities of the 21st century. There is an urgent need to complete the process of democratization of decision-making in the UN Security Council; position development issues at the forefront of UN; and transform the functioning of the UN into a multi-stakeholder body to enable it to respond effectively to the challenges it faces. At the core of this vision is India’s belief that UN member-states “cannot fight today’s challenges with outdated structures. Without comprehensive reforms, the UN faces a crisis of confidence.” India has also taken the lead in combating climate change by fulfilling its commitments under the Paris Accord and taking a series of initiatives for promoting a low- carbon economy. In recognition of New Delhi’s leadership role in this area, more countries are joining the International Solar Alliance that seeks to usher in a revolution for a clean and green world.
World’s leading public health security provider:
The World will also bear testimony to the role played by India in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The indigenous development and manufacturing of vaccines such as COVISHIELD (Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developed in collaboration with Serum Institute of India) and COVAXIN, developed by Indian pharma company Bharat Biotech, – is a high point in India’s technology journey. India is a formidable vaccine powerhouse, accounting for 60% of manufacturing of the world’s vaccines. India’s vaccination drive seeks to eliminate coronavirus not only from India, but to also assist the country’s neighbors, partners and friends to overcome the pandemic. The vaccination drive, preceded by supplies of HCQ to over 150 countries around the world at the height of the pandemic last year, has established India’s credentials as the world’s leading public health security provider and a net security provider to the region.
Brand India:
In mapping the way ahead, cultural diplomacy and civilizational values will acquire a greater salience in India’s foreign policy. Home to all major religions and diverse cultures, the idea of India as a vibrant pluralistic society has struck a chord making the world more amenable to India’s aspirations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encapsulated the essence of Brand India. “All our endeavours are centered on 1.3 billion Indians, but the dreams that these efforts are trying to fulfil, are the same dreams that the entire world has, that every country has, and that every society has. The efforts are ours, but their fruits are for all, for the entire world,” said PM Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
One World Family and Role of Diaspora:
Driven by the ethos of mutual empowerment, India has shared funds, technology and expertise with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. This development cooperation, channelized through Lines of Credit and grants, includes assistance in capacity building, training and enhanced cooperation in education and health. Lastly, in building a new India, the 25-million strong Indian diaspora, spread across different countries and continents, will play an important role. Several Fortune 500 companies are led by Indians. The Indian government provides a welcoming environment to the Indian diaspora to invest in India. This is a win-win proposition for the investors, for India as well as for the countries where the Indian diaspora is based. Going forward, India should pro-actively reach out and provide all facilities to encourage increasing inflows of capital, technology and supply chains to India. The Indian diaspora can play a pivotal role in the movement to make India truly self-reliant in the challenging global circumstances that we confront today.
Embassy of India, Kyiv
