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From Independence to International Influence: India’s Diplomatic Odyssey
As the world grapples with multiple challenges ranging from international terrorism to the Covid-19 pandemic today, India has held its ground as a stable, reliable and pragmatic member of the international community showcasing its commitment towards promoting multilateralism, security, peace and prosperity.
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Since gaining independence in 1947, India has embarked on a remarkable diplomatic journey marked by numerous twists and turns. Over the next 75 odd years, the world witnessed India navigate these challenging contours, determined to remain steadfast in its path towards progress. Even as a nascent nation, India consistently strived to establish its presence on the world stage through its difficult, but decisive diplomatic endeavours. In its pursuit of global engagement and influence, India has been at the forefront of initiating and participating in negotiations leading to the establishment of new international organisations in the post-world war era. This resulted in India being a founding member of the United Nations (UN), and an original signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
As the Cold War began, an emphasis on principles of peaceful coexistence, non-alignment, and respect for sovereignty helped India maintain neutrality. This laid the foundation for India’s unique diplomatic approach, focusing on forging alliances without aligning permanently with any superpower bloc. India emerged as a self-defined and non-aligned player asserting an independent foreign policy while traversing the volatile external environment characterised by crises and confrontations. Over the course of the next few decades, India’s active diplomatic efforts in resolving international conflicts firmly established its niche position as a significant player in the global arena.
On the economic front, India’s shift to liberalisation in 1991 was a turning point that enabled stronger economic ties with nations across the globe, thanks to its growing economy and emerging market status, giving it a new leverage. The India-US Civil Nuclear Deal signed in 2008 was a diplomatic feat that further elevated India’s stature as a responsible nuclear power and bolstered strategic partnerships with major powers. India’s commitment to cultivating closer relationships with its neighbouring nations was manifested through its Neighbourhood First Policy. In the turn of the century, this was followed by many diplomatic manoeuvres by India, both near and far. These have not been devoid of mishaps or pitfalls. On the contrary, India’s diplomatic footprint has been characterised by many a missed opportunities, a lack of timely and appropriate responses and errors of judgment in the past.
However, even as the world grapples with multiple challenges ranging from international terrorism to the Covid-19 pandemic today, India has held its ground as a stable, reliable and pragmatic member of the international community showcasing its commitment towards promoting multilateralism, security, peace and prosperity. India’s ability to transcend its geo-economic limitations and rise to the occasion with an unwavering sense of purpose is a characteristic seldom seen in many other countries. Disregarding the crucial role of India’s diplomatic efforts in shaping this century and in influencing the trajectory of the future would be a shortsighted and unwise assessment of the evolving world order.
That said, India at 77 and beyond (and the world at large) will be facing problems of different magnitudes and proportions as laid bare by the likes of Covid -19 Pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Ironically, every crisis can be turned into an opportunity that India could harness by mandating a conscious choice of reality over rhetoric. As India assumes the G20 presidency in what is called as the “Asian Century”, it has the potential to leverage this platform towards amplifying its voice in global affairs. A deeper commitment to historic core values and a proactive approach to working with like-minded countries to solve global issues can certainly enhance its position on the global stage. After all, the ethical principles guiding contemporary Indian diplomacy must be firmly rooted in the country’s rich diplomatic heritage.
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