India is one of the world’s oldest and most diversified countries, with a long history that has seen countless empires rise and fall. India is becoming a developing superpower with the world’s fastest-growing economy. We have long been regarded as a “peace-loving nation.” Our Indian Army is also a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
With the world’s third-largest military budget, fifth-largest nominal GDP, and third-largest purchasing power parity economy (source: Wikipedia). India is a regional power, a developing global force, and a potential superpower. We are gaining worldwide clout and have a strong voice in the global industry.
India has been attempting to develop strong ties with its neighbors and other countries in recent years. We have a long history of cooperation with a variety of countries and are part of BRICS. India was a founding member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, the G-20 major economies, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Other international organizations in which India has had a significant and influential involvement include the East Asia Summit, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the G8+5, and the IBSA Dialogue Forum. India is a member of SAARC and BIMSTEC on a regional level.
Doesn’t it make you feel patriotic?
Well, it always makes me feel that way. With so much to say, these are only a few examples of how far our country has come in recent years and how it has risen to become a global leader.
India had a very clear strategy under Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure that it never participated in any of the cold wars by siding with America or Russia, under the Non-Alignment Movement. Non-alignment began for India as a policy of non-involvement in the military affairs of a bipolar world and the context of colonialism, to maximize involvement through multi-polar participation in the pursuit of peace and security.
In today’s time, the world is witnessing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s attempts to subdue Russia. Russia is being opposed by NATO countries. India is the best-placed country at the time of this crisis, it is neither supporting nor opposing any country during the war. The reason for India taking a neutral stance is that Russia was the only country that came to our aid when we were at war with Pakistan in 1971. The west has repeatedly shunned India and refused to help it. While Ukraine has also repeatedly voted against us in the past. Keeping all this in mind, India chose to remain neutral rather than take sides in this time of crisis.
The current government recognizes the importance of cultivating and maintaining relationships with its neighbors and other countries. Party in power has emphasized the “Neighbourhood First” policy as a key component of Indian foreign policy since coming to power in 2014. The strategy aims to foster friendly and cooperative connections with its neighbors in a variety of fields, including the economy, science and technology, research, and education.
Through its development assistance initiative, India has also provided every possible assistance to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in addressing their numerous issues. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, India has provided wheat and other necessary food commodities, as well as Covid-19 vaccinations, to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid.
All of this combines to make India an ideal negotiating partner, both in terms of capability and relationships. India has a great reputation in Southeast Asia. As a result of India’s tremendous cultural advancements, the country has maintained cordial relations with all of its neighbors and other countries as well.
India’s foreign policy is to maintain international peace, freedom, and cooperation. Its foreign policy is founded on Panchsheela’s nonalignment and disarmament ideas. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Burma, China, and Afghanistan are India’s immediate neighbors. All of these states have cordial historical, religious, economic, ethnic, and linguistic ties with India.
India likes a calm, prosperous neighborhood that is sensitive to its own needs and desires. However, from the beginning of its independence, India’s fundamental concerns have been the promotion of internal cohesion and the management of its frequently tumultuous relations with its neighbors and the rest of the world. Though various confrontations have arisen in the past, India’s government leaders and citizens constantly hope for peaceful relations with its neighbors and other with other countries.
With extensive efforts for building great international relations, EAM, Dr. JaiShankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been able to place India on the centerstage of International politics. India helping 70 Countries around the world with Covid Vaccines on humanitarian ground has earned India great amount of goodwill from all over.