Why Bharat Matters

1. Foreign Policy Directly Impacts Your Daily Life and Well-being.

Remember that this may have a direct bearing on your well-being.

Beyond abstract concepts. Foreign policy isn't just about high-level state interactions; it profoundly affects the lives of ordinary citizens. It determines national security, influences economic opportunities, and ensures the safety and welfare of Indians abroad. A good foreign policy should tangibly improve your everyday life.

Real-world examples. Recent events have starkly demonstrated this connection. Operations like Ganga (Ukraine), Devi Shakti (Afghanistan), and Kaveri (Sudan) showed the government's ability to extricate citizens from crisis zones, relying on years of built relationships and honed procedures. The Vande Bharat Mission, bringing back millions during Covid, was the largest evacuation in history, highlighting the global reach and commitment to the diaspora.

Daily life implications. Even outside crises, foreign policy matters. It impacts visa processes for students, market access for businesses, fair contracts for workers abroad, and support for tourists. At home, it influences the price of goods, access to technology, and the ability to address global challenges like pandemics, terrorism, and climate change that directly affect security and quality of life.

2. The World is Entering a New Era of Turbulence and Uncertainty.

Our globalized world is likely to be fractured in some respects and even selectively disengaged in areas of particular contention.

Multiple disruptions. The global landscape is far more complex and unpredictable than anticipated. Recent years have seen the compounding impact of the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, escalating tensions in West Asia, and increasing climate events, all layered upon existing challenges like economic disruptions and sharpening great power competition.

Shifting dynamics. Traditional international relations concepts are being challenged. Globalization's model of creating dependencies is under scrutiny, leading to calls for de-risking and resilient supply chains. Rebalancing of power is creating multipolarity, but also increased competition, particularly between the US and China. Technology is a game-changer, weaponizing normal activities and demanding new approaches to trust and transparency.

Uncharted territory. This confluence of factors means the world is moving into uncharted territory. Political polarization within states, the weaponization of trade, finance, and connectivity, and the struggle to reconcile interdependence with security and sovereignty concerns are defining features of this new, more hazardous era.

3. India's Foreign Policy Has Undergone a Transformational Shift Post-2014.

In the decade that has passed, it has also become clearer that this is now work in serious progress.

Beyond extrapolation. India's foreign policy in the last decade is not merely an extension of the past but a conscious transformation aimed at positioning the nation as a leading power. This shift is characterized by greater strategic clarity, heightened activity, stronger conceptual basis, and improved delivery across various domains and geographies.

New approaches and initiatives. The change is visible from day one, with initiatives like inviting neighboring leaders to the swearing-in ceremony. It includes:

• Formalizing 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies.
• Articulating new concepts like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• Engaging major power centers and cultivating middle powers with greater intensity.
• Championing the Global South and demonstrating first responder capabilities.
• Introducing fresh ideas on global issues (ISA, CDRI, LiFE).

Higher global standing. These efforts have resulted in a significantly higher global standing for India. The nation is perceived as more engaged, responsible, and contributive. The ambitious objectives set out, such as becoming a developed nation by 2047 (Amrit Kaal), underscore that this transformation is ongoing and foundational for future aspirations.

4. Re-imagining Security is Essential for a Globalized and Interpenetrative World.

Corrosion is now the new competition.

Beyond traditional threats. Security can no longer be defined solely by military or policing terms. In today's interconnected world, threats are often gradual, corrosive, and embedded in normal activities. Globalization and technology have created new vulnerabilities through exposure, penetration, and interdependence.

New forms of vulnerability. The 'normal' has become a source of risk. This includes:

• Data harvesting and digital security concerns.
• Supply chain disruptions and dependencies on key goods (health, food, fuel).
• Weaponization of trade, finance, and connectivity for strategic leverage.
• Influence operations and borderless politics shaping domestic narratives.
• The growing power and agenda of big tech companies.

Strategic autonomy and resilience. Addressing these challenges requires re-imagining security to include economic and technological dimensions. Building national strengths, enhancing manufacturing capacities ('Atmanirbhar Bharat'), ensuring resilient supply chains, and promoting trust and transparency in the digital domain are now integral to national security and strategic autonomy.

5. Dealing with China Requires a Return to Realism and Strategic Clarity.

It is this lack of realism that has long dogged our approach to dealing with China.

Historical dichotomy. India's approach to China has historically been marked by a tension between idealism and realism, notably seen in the differing views of Nehru and Patel. Nehru's initial optimism and focus on Asian solidarity were challenged by Patel's hard-nosed assessment of China's ambitions and the need for preparedness.

Post-2020 reality. The Galwan clash in 2020 shattered assumptions of border peace and tranquility, highlighting China's disregard for established agreements and troop deployment norms. This event underscored the need for realism, recognizing that peace and tranquility in border areas are foundational to the overall relationship, and their disturbance inevitably impacts other domains.

Lessons for the future. Navigating this complex relationship requires:

• Adherence to agreements (1993, 1996) in letter and spirit.
• Strict observance and respect for the LAC, resisting unilateral changes.
• Acceptance of multipolarity in Asia.
• Reciprocity based on mutual respect, sensitivity, and interests.
• Building national strengths and reducing economic dependencies.

The relationship is at a crossroads, demanding a clear-eyed approach that prioritizes national interest over romanticism and prepares for a potentially difficult era.

6. Building Diverse Global Partnerships is Key to India's Rise.

The broader the footprint and greater the interests, the more is the importance of Lakshmanas.

Cultivating a global constituency. For a rising power, building reliable partners and assured sources of support is crucial. India's expanding interests necessitate a multi-vector engagement strategy, making friends and influencing people across diverse geographies and domains. This is essential for navigating global contradictions and shaping the international landscape.

Expanding reach. India has significantly expanded its diplomatic footprint and intensity of engagement. This includes:

• Deepening ties with the immediate and extended neighborhood (Neighbourhood First, Act East, Link West, Connect Central Asia, SAGAR).
• Intensifying engagement with major powers (US, Japan, Australia, France, Russia, UK).
• Cultivating middle powers and regions (Africa, Latin America, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Europe beyond major states).
• Utilizing existing and creating new plurilateral mechanisms (BRICS, SCO, IBSA, Quad, I2U2, FIPIC, IAFS, etc.).

Solidarity and contribution. India's engagement is increasingly characterized by solidarity, particularly with the Global South, and a willingness to contribute to global public goods (Vaccine Maitri, disaster relief, climate action, connectivity initiatives). This approach enhances India's credibility and standing, demonstrating its value as a partner and a responsible global actor.

7. The Quad Represents a New Model of Cooperation Among Like-Minded Nations.

The Quad works precisely because it is flexible and understanding, a welcome supersession of the rigidities of the Cold War era.

A grouping foretold. The Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) is a significant development in the Indo-Pacific, representing the convergence of strategic interests among like-minded democracies. Its emergence was facilitated by the deepening of bilateral ties between the members and a shared appreciation of the changing geopolitical landscape and global deficits.

Beyond military alliance. The Quad is not a traditional military alliance but a flexible, plurilateral platform focused on practical cooperation for the common good in the Indo-Pacific. Its agenda spans a wide range of issues, reflecting the contemporary challenges of the region and the world.

Diverse areas of cooperation:

• Maritime security and domain awareness (Malabar Exercise, IPMDA).
• Critical and emerging technologies (supply chains, standards, O-RAN).
• Climate action and disaster resilience (green shipping, CDRI partnership, HADR).
• Health security (vaccine partnership).
• Infrastructure and connectivity (sustainable financing).

The Quad's evolution demonstrates a willingness to move beyond orthodox constructs and leverage shared values and capabilities to address complex global challenges effectively.

8. Lessons from History Offer Crucial Insights for Contemporary Diplomacy.

Some of the roads not taken then are now being traversed.

Revisiting early debates. India's early foreign policy under Nehru faced significant critiques from contemporaries like Sardar Patel, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and B.R. Ambedkar. These leaders often advocated for a more pragmatic, national-interest-driven approach, questioning Nehru's idealism, particularly regarding Pakistan, China, and the US.

Critiques and consequences. Their concerns, though not always heeded at the time, proved prescient. Patel warned against China's ambitions and the need for two-front defense. Mookerjee highlighted the dangers of downplaying Pakistan's intentions and the complications arising from the handling of Jammu & Kashmir. Ambedkar questioned the wisdom of championing other nations' interests at the expense of India's own.

Learning from the past. Revisiting these historical debates is crucial for understanding the origins of certain policy approaches and their long-term consequences. It underscores the importance of strategic clarity, realism, and prioritizing national security. Many of the issues debated then, such as the approach to Pakistan, China, and engagement with the West, remain relevant today, and India is now charting courses previously not taken.

9. Why India (Bharat) Matters More to the World Today.

A stronger and more capable India, one truer to its roots and culture, is a key factor in the larger rebalancing that characterizes our contemporary world.

Growing capabilities and influence. India's increasing global relevance stems from its enhanced comprehensive national power, driven by economic growth, technological advancements, demographic dividend, and a more confident assertion of its civilizational identity. As the most populous nation and fifth-largest economy, its weight in global affairs is undeniable.

Contribution to global solutions. India is increasingly seen as a crucial partner in addressing global challenges. Its contributions range from:

• Providing global public goods (Vaccine Maitri, disaster relief).
• Championing the Global South (Voice of Global South Summit, AU in G20).
• Leading initiatives on climate action (ISA, CDRI, LiFE).
• Shaping debates on terrorism, connectivity, and digital governance.
• Offering a model of democratic development and digital delivery.

Redefining engagement. India is resetting the terms of its engagement with the world, moving beyond past hesitations and hyphenations. Its multi-vector diplomacy, willingness to take responsibility, and ability to bridge divides in a polarized world make it a unique and valuable player. The G20 presidency highlighted its capacity to shape the global agenda and build consensus.

Last updated: May 6, 2025