Sunday Times 2
India’s ‘D for D’ global outlook
View(s):It is a privilege for me to be here today at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. The BCIS has been making invaluable contribution to enriching the field of international relations over more than four decades.
It is the start of another academic year. It brings with it new friends, new hopes and sometimes new challenges. It takes me back to my own university days, where, just like you, I also studied international relations. Later, I became a diplomat. You and I share a unique bond.
Relationships between countries, just like between individuals, are complex, and not easy to understand or analyse, let alone, predict. This is what makes it interesting and exciting. However, despite several layers of complexities, which one sees on the surface, human beings the world over, essentially have the same set of dreams and aspirations. “Yatra Viswam Bhava thye ka Nee dam”, the whole world is a nest, as they say in the Vedas.
In today’s world, we continue to see rapid strides in science and technology. This has brought about a sea change in the way we live. Also, there is a renewed focus, worldwide on ‘good governance’. In other words, yahapalanaya has gone global! Governments have taken performance and delivery seriously and are genuinely making an attempt to make a difference to the lives of average citizens.
India’s High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu paid his respects and received the blessings of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Prelates in Kandy on Monday. The High Commissioner also called on Central Province Governor Niluka Ekanayake.
We see the historical past being buried to build a promising future. 2015 was witness to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba after a gap of 54 years. Columbia struck a peace deal with FARC in 2016 to bring an end to more than 50 years of conflict. These developments underline the need for out-of-box thinking; the importance of moving ahead, without being hostage to the past.
On the other hand, we also see a pause in the globalisation process. We see the winds of protectionism blowing across continents. The world seems to suddenly look inwards, rather than outwards. Over the last several decades, the world has enjoyed the benefits from fruitful exchange of products, services and ideas; there has been a significant increase in specialisation and productivity; in overall standard of living of the common man and in cross-cultural awareness. We need to recognise it.
While some things have changed substantially, others have not changed, at all. Terrorism continues unabated. From world capitals to rural hinterlands, its reach has spread. Some states continue to sponsor terror with impunity. The United Nations remains a forum, which is not reflective of today’s global order. Multilateralism still refuses to acknowledge the multi-polarity of today’s world. The democratisation of global order remains elusive.
Given this backdrop, what is India’s global outlook? Over the years, Indian domestic situation has seen a sea-change. India’s trade to GDP ratio has risen dramatically, since the reforms began in 1990s. So have capital flows relative to GDP. Indian economy today is far more open and integrated into the world economy than most people realise. This has brought rich dividends. India grew fastest, among major economies worldwide at over 7.5 per cent in 2016. India will continue to drive global growth in 2017, and its share in the world GDP is expected to rise to 17%. We have a shared interest in seeing an open world.
Brand India is here to stay. By 2020, the average age in India will be 29, and it is set to become the world’s youngest country, with 64% of its population, in the working age group. With Western Europe, the US, South Korea, Japan and even China aging, this demographic potential, offers India an unprecedented edge, which could further contribute to GDP growth rate.
It is a different India that one sees today. In 2016, India overtook the US in terms of internet users. At 227 million people, India’s internet user base is now the second largest in the world. With India becoming one of iPhone’s fastest growing markets, Apple has decided to assemble the iPhone in Bengaluru, making India the third country to do the final assembly of iPhones. The world’s largest solar power plant was recently unveiled in Tamil Nadu. India is running, the largest renewable energy expansion programme in the world. For the first time in space history, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a record 104 satellites, in one go, in February 2017, out of which 100 satellites belong to foreign nations.
It has been a chrysalis-like transformation for India, from a young independent nation, with little economic resources, to the fastest growing major economy in the world. The world has realised and recognised India’s leadership role. As the largest democracy in the world, and perhaps the world’s most intricate and pluralistic society, India’s journey has been watched with keenness by the world at large. One thing which has remained with us throughout is our belief in the basic tenet of our foreign policy: Strategic autonomy.
So what is the aim of India’s foreign policy? The core aim of India’s foreign policy is to meet the developmental aspirations of its 1.25 billion people. Our Diplomacy is for our Development. D for D! India also looks at engaging effectively with the world to meet common challenges.
In recent times our foreign policy has become more proactive focused and action-oriented thanks to the vision of our leadership. We have made huge efforts in re-engaging our Diaspora. We have taken steps to make new friends as well as strengthen the breadth and depth of friendship with existing partners.
The world appreciated India’s leadership in the finalisation of the Paris COP-21 Agreement. International Solar Alliance and UN International Day of Yoga are other examples where we demonstrated our willingness to shoulder global responsibilities. The mammoth evacuation/rescue operations in Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Ukraine, Nepal etc. which India undertook validated our genuine willingness to help not only our citizens but all others who came to us for assistance irrespective of the colour of the passport.
We have cemented our relations with our neighbours; and with our extended neighbours. We have re-energised our partnership with P-5. Our ties with the US have been transformational; having served in the US till recently, I have seen it happen just before my eyes. Our relations with China have expanded in areas where we have commonality of views. In recent times, India-Japan ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ has further strengthened. We hosted the largest ever India-Africa Summit. We have reconnected with Latin America. For the first time, we hosted the Forum of India-Pacific Island Cooperation. We have made steady progress in our ties with the West. While we have ‘acted East, we have also linked West.’ The first ever India-Arab League Ministerial Conference held in Manama outlined our expanding outreach with the Arab World. Our relations with Saudi Arabia, UAE and other West Asian countries have gained unprecedented depth.
I want to elaborate on the neighbourhood. Our Neighbourhood First policy is the reflection of the importance we attach to our nearest partners. We see our future as intertwined. The scale and speed of economic transformation in India is an opportunity that we do not want our friends especially our neighbours to miss. India’s growth is not in the interest of India alone. We want you to be part of our growth story.
India sees itself as a net provider of security in the Indian Ocean Region. We also see ourselves as the First Responder in HA/DR operations in the Region (Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief). The first Indian naval helicopters reached Sri Lanka with immediate relief material within 12 hours of the tsunami tragedy in 2004. Similarly we responded swiftly with assistance when the landslides hit Sri Lanka last year. We are again extending a helping hand to Sri Lanka for drought relief.
I see a huge window of opportunity for India-Sri Lanka ties. We will soon be launching a SAARC communications and meteorology satellite, which also has Sri Lankan partnership. There is a lot that we can do together. We are keen to integrate Sri Lankan economy in the global supply and value chain. We are ready to share our skill set with Sri Lanka. We are interested in making investments in energy; hard infrastructure and connectivity projects. We have a robust development partnership. We are ready to sail with Sri Lanka in its journey towards a more secure prosperous and fulfilling future. All we need to do is to think and act and act now. As Gautama Buddha once said “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.”
Thank you…I wish you all a bright future!