With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prioritization of economic growth and foreign policy revitalization, the country is poised to become a major part of global trade flows and key player in shaping international opinion on various issues in 2024 as well.
Over the past ten years, India, the world’s largest democracy, has lifted more than 130 million people out of poverty. The country has rebounded from a recent economic growth slump, to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Currently India have substantial shared interests in several global issues, especially in the cyber domain, global health, climate change and clean energy, and democracy. In cybersecurity and in global health, India has advanced technical capabilities and large, highly capable talent pools with experience working seamlessly with other partners.
The world today looks at India as an important pillar of stability and a friend who can be trusted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently while speaking at the inaugural session of the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.
“India is moving forward in the role of a ‘Vishwa Mitra’ in a fast-changing world. Today India has given the world confidence in achieving common collective goals. India’s commitment, efforts and hard work for global welfare is making the world safer and prosperous. The world looks at India as an important pillar of stability. A friend who can be trusted, a partner who believes in people-centric development, a voice that believes in global good, an engine of growth in the global economy, a technology hub for finding solutions, a powerhouse of talented youth and a democracy that delivers,” he said.
The priorities and aspirations of India’s 1.4 billion citizens and their belief in human-centric development coupled with the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality is a major aspect of world prosperity and development, according to the Prime Minister.
India has become a ray of hope for the world at a time when the world has witnessed multiple geopolitical instabilities.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently emphasized that in the current geopolitical landscape, it is crucial for countries to establish a direct understanding of each other.
Jaishankar also mentioned that India is on the verge of becoming a USD 4 trillion economy, and New Delhi’s endeavors are directed towards achieving developed country status in the next 25 years.
According to the Minister the year 2024 will be turbulent because of recent geopolitical developments, though India can be confident about facing challenges because of political and economic strengths.
He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impact on foreign policy and India’s quest to be a “Vishwa Mitra” or a friend of the world. “Different people have given it different descriptions, but I would say the idea is really to have the maximum goodwill and the minimum adversaries,” he said.
There is no doubt that India, through its foreign policy choices and its multi-alignment strategy, has built its reputation in the global stage in significant ways in the last decade.
The year 2023 was significant as India hosted its first G20 Summit. The success of its G20 Summit also saw India democratising foreign policy amongst its general populace, with over 200 satellite events as part of the G20, organised in several parts of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have, time and again, emphasised the emergence of India as the ‘world’s friend or friend of all’, i.e., ‘Vishwa Mitra’. This was highly evident at the time of COVID-19 during vaccine diplomacy, when several countries, benefited from vaccines sent from India.
India’s theme for the G20 as ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ amplifies this stand further highlighting its policy of being a friend for all.
At the G20, the single most talked-about initiative was the inclusion of the African Union in the global multilateral forum, something that should have happened earlier. It has garnered global praise.
The second is India’s contribution to climate change through behavioural change. India has continued to maintain its firm commitment to its climate goals as well as initiate important behavioral change initiatives that will aid in the fight against climate change.
Today, there is a conventional use of solar panels on rooftops for electricity generation. India’s efforts extend beyond its borders, as it gifted solar panels to countries at the United Nations showcasing its commitment to sustainable energy practices on a global scale. These are important practices that are sure to enable lesser developed countries to follow suit.
Also, prior to the G20, India organised the Voice of the Global South Summit, which was aimed at propagating its vision for the year-long presidency. 125 countries from the Global South participated in this summit. And after the G20, India hosted the second edition of the Voice of the Global South summit. One of the main highlights of the 2nd Summit was the inauguration of the think tank, the Global South Center of Excellence which will serve as a think tank and also assist development initiatives that promote greater collaboration among developing nations.
India has resorted much of its efforts to orient itself policy-wise as well as in its strategic communications efforts to showcase that it favors conversation and collaboration as opposed to any form of confrontation.
In September 2023, US President Joe Biden visited India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, an implicit endorsement of India’s leadership. The visit was only one demonstration of the United States’ support for India’s leadership of the G20 and the importance of their bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in June 2023 was high on symbolism and substance alike, publicly strengthening engagement on all fronts. Prime Minister Modi’s state visit provided the opportunity to address the joint session of the US Congress.
Building off of India-U.S. coordination in 2023 on the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group, India will host the Quad summit with United States, Japan, and Australia in 2024.
In 2023, it is evident that India’s foreign policy has brought handsome dividends.
The two most crucial areas of Indian foreign policy are the nation’s relations with major powers and its ties with its immediate neighbours. Experts agree that India’s policy towards great powers and immediate neighbours has been deeply interconnected and neither can be assessed in isolation from the other. If India can develop these attributes further in 2024, the country will no doubt play a major role in the international stage. (HT)
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