India’s global approach: 2023: The year India may realise its global power aspirations

Source: The post is based on the article “2023: The year India may realise its global power aspirations” published in The Indian Express on 31st December 2022. 

Syllabus: GS2- International relations 

Relevance: Foreign policy choices of Indian government 

News: This article explains the Indian choice on important global issues. It also suggest the way forward for India to increase its global stature 

In September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about making the US a principal partner “in the realisation of India’s rise as a responsible, influential world power” 

What has been India’s global approach to issues of global importance? 

Since its Independence, India has pushed for an agenda that favoured the interests of developing or less developed countries. India took a principled stand and stood up to the policy domination of the developed world. The examples are GATT and NPT.  

India’s role as the protector of the interests of the developing world during WTO negotiations has been significant; For instance, India played a critical role in preventing developed countries from imposing their trade and commercial agendas.

What has changed in India’s global approach recently? 

India stand up for the developing world and uphold its strategic autonomy, India started playing a proactive role in finding solutions. For example,   

-The Paris Climate Summit in 2015 provided the first major opportunity for India to highlight its new priorities. It played a pivotal role in the climate deal while protecting the interests of the developing world.  

India’s efforts resulted in developed countries agreeing to the principle of “common and differentiated responsibility”. India also convinced developed countries to agree to the formulation of INDCs. 

-India’s global stature has increased because of its constructive response during the Covid pandemic. It supplied vaccines to many developing countries through its “Vaccine Maitri” programme. In the post-Covid world, India’s importance is growing. Its post-Covid economic recovery has been commendable. 

–At the Bali G20 Summit, India played a crucial role in ensuring that both Russia and US can put their viewpoints. India conveyed to the Russian leadership that it was not a time for war. India has an opportunity to play a role in ending the war. It will determine its future status. 

What are the challenges to India’s global approach?

Externally, China keeps the border tense. Domestically, the aggravation of religious and political fault lines for electoral or ideological reasons may impact the leadership’s ability to rise in global status. 

What should be the way forward for India’s global approach?

India must not compromise on its principled stand. It must continue to act as the voice of the Global South. This can be done by a) India’s diplomatic, strategic and political investments in its neighbourhood and Asia, Africa and Latin America must increase, b) India’s attention to the ASEAN and Indian Ocean neighbourhood must grow. Its Act East policy needs more response, c) It is important to revive the India-Africa Forum Summit. India’s relations with countries in Latin America need more effort, d) As G20 chair, India has the opportunity to set a new agenda. In the past, it always worked for the judicious sharing of global public goods. It is time now to undertake similar efforts for global digital and genetic goods, and e) India always upheld moralism in global politics. India must bring that moralist dimension to new technological developments.