THE INDIA WAY IN Foreign policy Over the last decade, India’s foreign policy initiatives have undergone a metamorphosis. India’s new global image now projects a more mature, sound and efficient force driving the country’s diplomatic initiatives BY MANISH CHAND Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi with global leaders at the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue 2020 urposeful, pragmatic and countries, big and small, and proactive PM Modi with ministerial proactive. Shaper, not diplomatic outreach have come to delegations from an abstainer; stabiliser, characterise and configure India’s various countries, on the sidelines of rather than a disruptor; foreign policy and diplomacy in the the Raisina a net security provider 21st century. Dialogue 2020 Pand a dispenser of global good. India’s foreign policy has found a SHAPER & STABILISER new vocabulary and framework, as A new India is emerging in the second articulated with masterly precision by decade of the 21st century, which is the country’s External Affairs Minister proactively shaping the international S Jaishankar at the 5th edition of the agenda on a wide array of cross-cutting Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi issues, including climate change, in January 2020. sustainable development, counter- In foreign policy, words matter, and terrorism, maritime security and the hence this new lexicon of a rising reconfiguration of global governance India fittingly encapsulates the current architecture. form and trajectory of the country’s In a wide-ranging conversation on foreign policy in a world undergoing The India Way at the Raisina Dialogue, unprecedented transformation. Dr Jaishankar illuminated key features Purposeful pursuit of national interests, of a new foreign policy for a new India. pragmatic issue-based alignments with “The India way would be to be more External Affairs of a decider or a shaper rather than an funds, technology and expertise Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar abstainer,” he said, while stressing that with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin during a India has made a difference in the last America and Eastern Europe. This discussion at the Raisina Dialogue few years on issues like climate change development cooperation, channelised 2020 or connectivity. Most important, he through Lines of Credit and grants, fleshed out the kind of power India includes assistance in capacity will be in the next few years. “It is not building, training and enhanced the India way to be a disruptionist cooperation in education and health. power internationally, we should In the spirit of South-South solidarity, be a stabilising power. It’s also not India has committed around USD 29 the India way to be self-centred and to billion in Line of Credit for a host of be mercantilist. The India way would development projects in 160 countries. be a country which brings its capacities to bear on the international Diplomatic Outreach system for global good,” he said. As India’s global stature rises, Driven by the ethos of mutual the Indian government has also empowerment, India has shared embarked on an unprecedented In building a New India, the 25-million strong Indian diaspora, spread across different countries and continents, will play an important role diplomatic outreach to mobilise Driven by the ethos of mutual empowerment, international support for national resurgence. Cutting India has shared funds, technology and across hemispheres, the last few expertise with countries in Africa, Asia, Latin years have seen a record number of high-level incoming and America and East Europe outgoing visits at the level of the President, Prime Minister, Vice- President, External Affairs Minister and development. With the Indian other ministers. Prime Minister Narendra government setting an ambitious target Modi alone has travelled to over 70 of creating a $5-trillion economy, the countries in the last six years. In an foreign policy is being directed to evolving multipolar world, India has harness the network of partnerships with chosen the path of multi-alignment, all friendly countries to create a ‘New which entails forging issues-based India’ by 2022, the 75th anniversary of alignments with like-minded countries India’s independence, as promised by PM and major power centres. Modi. Development–focused diplomacy is seen in the interweaving of flagship Diplomacy for a New India schemes of national renewal like ‘Make in What animates this multifarious India’ ‘Smart Cities,’ ‘Skill India’ and diplomatic outreach is the mantra ‘Stand-up India’ with India’s diplomatic of diplomacy for the country’s outreach. Forging robust and sustainable EAM Dr Jaishankar meets Urmas Reinsalu, minister of foreign affairs of Estonia during the Raisina Dialogue partnerships in technology, innovation of New Delhi’s leadership role in this and start-ups will be crucial to creating area, more countries are joining the a New India, and making India count International Solar Alliance that seeks on the global stage. to usher in a white revolution for a clean and green world. India has launched Shaping Global Agenda a new international initiative called Looking ahead, with its growing the Coalition for Disaster Resilient global stature and rising expectations Infrastructure, which is finding greater the world has of a resurgent India, global support. PM Modi has advocated reformed multilateralism to create a new world BRAND INDIA order that reflects the ongoing shift In mapping the way ahead, cultural of power and realities of the 21st diplomacy and civilisational values century. India has also taken the will acquire a greater salience in India’s lead in combating climate change foreign policy. Home to all major PM Narendra Modi by fulfilling its commitments under religions and diverse cultures, the idea of meets Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif, minister of the Paris Accord and taking a series India as a vibrant pluralistic society has foreign affairs of Iran, of initiatives for promoting a low- struck a chord making the world more on the sidelines of the 2020 Raisina Dialogue carbon economy. In a recognition amenable to India’s aspirations. This OVER THE YEARS, THE RAISINA DIALOGUE HAS EMERGED AS A VIBRANT FORUM FOR DISCUSSING IMPORTANT GLOBAL AND STRATEGIC ISSUES. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET LEADERS WHO ARE GREAT FRIENDS OF OUR NATION. Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India Prime Minister Modi cultural connect is reflected in myriad every society has. The efforts are ours, addresses the United Nations General ways, ranging from the worldwide but their fruits are for all, for the Assembly during celebrations of the International Day entire world,” said PM Modi in his his visit to USA in September 2019 of Yoga and the recognition of Kumbh speech at the United Nations General Mela as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Assembly in New York. Humanity by UNESCO. Going forward, as it scripts its In building a new India, the global ascent on its own terms, 25-million strong Indian diaspora, India will have to relentlessly spread across different countries and assert its strategic autonomy as it continents, will play an important role. navigates geopolitical rivalries to As Dr Jaishankar puts it: “The India make independent decisions that way would be really Brand India. Brand benefit people of the country. This India in terms of what is unique to us will entail dovetailing diplomacy as a power,” he said while alluding with development and interweaving to the extraordinary Indian diaspora foreign policy with an unclouded vision and Indian culture and heritage. of India as a leading power with a Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unique voice and narrative in a rapidly encapsulated the essence of Brand transforming world order. 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 Manish Chand is Editor-in-Chief of India and the World Magazine and India Writes Network, a has, that every country has, and that portal focused on global affairs .