Indian Council of World Affairs

Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit:  Good morning to all of you. Let me, respected Smt Nutan Kapoor Mahawar and dear young scholars here. And Stuti Banerjee, who's been, Mukherjee, right, yeah? Banerjee, am I right, okay. Thank you so much for inviting me. This has indeed made me nostalgic because as a student of JNU, about some 35-40 years back, I used to come to ICWA with the JNU bus. And this was my adda every other day. And it was not so well furnished, madam, in our time. And, so it is very nostalgic. I thank you for inviting me back, though I'm part of your governing council as the Vice Chancellor. I'm also very happy to be here because the External Affairs Minister is also an alumnus of the very school I am from, SIS, School of International Studies. And School of International Studies began here. 

Do you know we are celebrating 70 years of SIS and it began in this very building by Hriday Nath Kunzru and Dr Appadorai. So many things have come together. And I'm happy that you are having the Second Young Scholars Meet. And as you rightly said, madam, they are the future of India. A very interesting topic that has been given to all of you. And I think you will have better ideas than most of us here today. I'm happy to be here to give some ideas of whatever I would be thinking on India's rise, Foreign Policy in the Amrit Kaal. I would rather say that the Amrit Kaal is a vision for a transformed India. India's foreign policy in the Amrit Kaal 2025, let's say 2025 to 2047, represents a shift towards establishing itself as a Viksit Bharat or a developed India by the centenary of its independence, and the phase is not just about domestic transformation, but about asserting India's leadership globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined that this era will see India not just as an economic powerhouse but also as a thought leader shaping global governance. 

Global responsibility and leadership - External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar emphasised that India's aspirations to be a leading power are not about dominance but about shouldering greater responsibilities in international affairs. India is committed to contributing to a more inclusive, just and rules-based international order. 

Internal strength as a foundation for external influence, India's rising economy - technology progress, military modernisation and cultural resurgence provide the foundation for its expanded global presence. 

Strategic goals - India's aim to position itself as a stabilising force in a world facing geopolitical disruptions, economic uncertainty and an environmental crisis. I would go into the idea that you are dealing with initially that is strategic autonomy in a multipolar world. India's approach to global affairs is shaped by strategic autonomy, maintaining independent decision making while engaging with multiple power centres. This ensures India does not get entangled in bloc politics but actively influences global governance. In this, the first is multi-alignment. India has deepened relations with the United States of America in defence, technology and trade while maintaining strong ties with Russia for energy, security and military hardware. 

Two, Engagement with the Global South. India has positioned itself as the Voice of the Global South, advocating for equitable development, fairer financial structures and climate justice through forums of the G20 and BRICS. 

Three, Proximity to Key Trade and Energy Routes India's geopolitical location near vital shipping lanes such as the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean enhances its role as a logistics hub for global trade. 

And four I would say, Leadership in Crisis Response. India has been the first responder in humanitarian crisis, including evacuation missions in Afghanistan, Ukraine, medical aid to disaster-struck nations and peacekeeping efforts in Africa. I would see the second pillar as economic diplomacy, India as a global growth engine. India's economic diplomacy is a pillar of its foreign policy, with its economy projected to be the world's third largest by 2030 and reaching $10 trillion by 2047. 

Under this, I would like to stress reforming global trade institutions. India has actively pushed for reforms in WTO and IMF to ensure developing economies get a fair voice in decision making. Expanding FTAs, India's trade agreements with the UAE, CEPA, the EU, the UK and Canada are aimed at diversifying its economic partnerships. 

Three, Supply chain diversification. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, IMEC, is a key initiative to counter over-reliance on China. India is also a key participant in the Indo-Pacific Framework, promoting secure and resilient supply chains. 

Four, Digital Public Infrastructure, DPI, India's digital advancements including UPI, Aadhaar and ONDC are being exported to developing economies, reinforcing its leadership in the global fintech and governance sectors. 

Start-up ecosystem - India's burgeoning start-up culture and unicorn companies in AI, green tech and cyber security position it as a global innovation hub. 

The third problem that I would look at is India as a security provider from the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific. India's security strategy is evolving beyond the self-defence to regional and global security contributions reinforcing its image as a net security provider. Here I would look upon maritime security and countering China. Here I would also see that we bridge tradition with modernity, see how the Cholas occupied South East Asia and challenged China. It is very necessary that most of you should read the way the Chola Empire was a great maritime power in South East Asia. They did not do conquering by plunder, rape but rather by trade and commerce. So this is an alternate model also of global governance. So the Quad- India, US, Japan, Australia is central to ensuring a free Indo-Pacific and curbing aggressive expansionism. 

SAGAR Doctrine, Security and Growth for All in the region. India is strengthening ties with Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles to enhance Indian ocean security. Defence exports and indigenous capabilities. India's military industrial expansion includes Tejas jets for Argentina, BrahMos missiles for the Philippines, and the naval defence technology for Southeast Asia. Cyber security and emerging threats. India is collaborating with global partners to address cyber warfare, artificial intelligence threats, and quantum computing security challenges. As rightly mentioned by your Additional Secretary, I think India and the Middle East or West Asia, Europe corridor is very important. IMEC announced at the G20 summit is a landmark initiative positioning India as a strategic transit hub, alternative to China's BRI. IMEC counters China's debt trap diplomacy by offering transparent and sustainable trade connectivity. Enhancing Gulf partnership. India's growing ties with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel ensure energy security and greater economic investments. Strengthening Europe-Asia trade linkages, the corridor improves connectivity between South Asia, the Gulf, and Europe, fostering long-term economic integration. 

India's climate and energy leadership, India's leadership in climate action is becoming a defining feature of its foreign policy. International Solar Alliance, co-founded ISA to promote global solar energy adoption, particularly in Africa and Asia. National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to be a global leader in green hydrogen production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. G20 Climate Leadership - As G20 President, India pushed for fair climate finance mechanisms, ensuring that developing nations receive equitable support for their energy transitions. 

Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy, India's cultural and humanitarian diplomacy is a key instrument in strengthening its global partnerships. Bollywood and Tollywood and OTT influence - Indian films and digital content are gaining significant traction worldwide, shaping global cultural narratives. Yoga, Ayurveda and Cultural Exchanges - International Yoga Day, supported by over 190 nations, is a testament to India's growing soft power. 

Diaspora Engagement, The 32 million-strong Indian diaspora, supported by over 100-- is seen as an asset in strengthening India's influence in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and the Gulf. Vaccine Maitri, India's pandemic response, delivering over 200 million vaccine doses to developing nations, positioned it not only as a humanitarian leader but as the pharmacy of the world. 

Women Leadership in Foreign Policy, India's Naari Shakti Women's Power is redefining its foreign policy landscape. Good to see a few women, though you look to be less than the men, but it's good to see quite a number. Leading Women in Diplomacy, we also have one with us on the stage. We Indian women diplomats, including UN Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj, are shaping global governance. Gender Equality in Foreign Policy, India is actively promoting gender-sensitive policies in multilateral organisations, pushing for women's representation in global leadership. India and the reform of global governance, India is playing a pivotal role in reforming global institutions to reflect 21st century realities. UN Security Council reform, India is advocating for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, emphasising the need for more representative global leadership. 

BRICS and G20 leadership, India is ensuring that these platforms address concerns of the Global South and promote inclusive economic policies. Fairer financial structures, India is championing reforms in IMF and World Bank to make financial assistance more accessible to developing countries. Leadership in AI regulations, in the new dawn of AI, India is among the few nations that is taking leadership in developing on its scope and limitations. 

Finally, I want to have a few questions to you young scholars. The road ahead, India in 2047, how would you see it? I would see it in these few things before you can maybe add on to it or even may not agree with me. One, in its century India envisions itself as a $10 trillion economy with leadership in AI, quantum computing and space technology. Two, a key architect of a new global order, balancing power dynamics while maintaining strategic autonomy. A sustainability champion, leading green technology innovations and equitable climate solutions. Four, a global cultural and knowledge hub, exporting its intellectual, technological and ethical leadership to the world. 

I would only conclude saying that India's Amrit Kaal is not just a domestic transformation but a global renaissance. Over the next two decades, India is set to transition from a rising power to a leading power, shaping the 21st century in its image driven by economic strength, technological innovation, security contributions and cultural influence. In cultural influence, I would like to tell you that India has an alternative vision because India and China are not nation states but civilisation states and civilisation states are totally different from the way you look at nation states and India I would call it not an Indic civilisation but a dharmic civilisation. Dharma is a way of life, dharma is not faith or religion. In English it is inadequate in its translation, so please Sanskritise English. Dharma is Dharma. 

India's foreign policy is a dynamic interplay of tradition and modernity, blending its civilisational ethos with pragmatic global strategies. And here I would like you to draw your attention to the five pillars that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave as Panchamrit. Samman meaning dignity and honour for all and India as a world power. Samvad, underlining the need for engagement and dialogue to discuss problems and resolve differences. Samriddhi, reflecting the desire for shared prosperity for the people of India and the world. Suraksha, underscoring the interlinkages between national, regional and global security, including human security. Security is not just military, security. Sanskriti and Sabhyata, that emphasises the commitment to remain, what to say, to one's own culture and the dharmic civilisation state that India is. And yet underlining the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that the world is a family, human and all other living and non-living things in the cosmos have to live in harmony. We are the only civilisation state that believes that chaos leads to creativity. The Abrahamic religions believe that order is important. We are not very worried about disorder because we think it leads to creativity and hence that is why I am saying we don't look at the world in binaries. That is, if you are not with God, you are with Satan. For us, the world is in concentric circles. There are a lot of grey areas. We don't live in an either-or world. 

So I would like to stress this. One is Raavana is not a villain, he is an anti-hero. He had one fault, so please don't see it like the western, that if you are a hero, one has to be a villain. And also finally I would end, I think the women here would like, India is the only civilisation state that is a feminist civilisation. You will ask me, how are you saying it, madam? Matri devobhava, pitri devobhava, acharya devobhava. First is matri. And who held the most powerful portfolios in Indra's cabinet? Power was with women. Saraswati knowledge, whether you say power is knowledge or knowledge is power, Saraswati, she redefined womanhood as well. Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and Durga, the goddess of power. You celebrate Dusshera, Navratra, when all the male gods lost, it was the feminine power that vanquished the evil. So we celebrate feminine power. 

And all the male gods are named after their wives. It is not the other way about. Lakshmipati, Sitapati, Umapati. There is no patni concept. So be proud of the civilisation state. And we also have LGBT. Read the Mahabharata. All of you will know it. So I would only say that the road ahead is excellent, full of ideas. I look upon to young people to build narratives, new narratives. Please don't ape the Anglo-American narratives. They are good. They have done it well. They have done their job. Now it is your duty as young scholars to build new narratives from your own cultural traditions, tribal, whatever it is. We celebrate cultural diversity like no one else. We have 3,000 crores of gods. You can be an agnostic and still a Hindu. So please take from your local traditions, build narratives. These narratives will enrich international relations for all, as well as India as a rising power. Thank you very much. Thank you. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.

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