Introduction
In this article, we will look at
International Relationships across the world from the 1980s to date, with
specific focus on the diplomatic policies of India across the world and their
development.
Since the 1980s, the global geopolitical
landscape has undergone significant changes, marked by the rise of China and
the rapid transformation of Asia. These changes have brought about complex
international relationships between Western countries, Europe, China, and Asia.
The 1980s: The Cold War Era Continues
The 1980s were marked by the continuation of
the Cold War and the heightened tensions between the United States and the
erstwhile Soviet Union (USSR). This period saw the proliferation of nuclear weapons,
regional conflicts, and proxy wars between the two superpowers. The Western
countries, Europe, and most of Asia remained firmly aligned with the United
States, while India and China maintained a policy of non-alignment.
In 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked
the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era in global politics. This
event paved the way for closer relations between Western countries and Europe
on the one hand, and Asia on the other.
The 1990s: The Rise of Asia
The 1990s saw the emergence of Asia as a
major economic powerhouse, with the rapid growth of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,
and Singapore. China also began to open up its economy to foreign investment,
leading to significant economic growth, while India’s economic liberalisation of 1991 helped to create
an economy that was market and service oriented and expanded the role for
private and foreign investment.
This period also saw the establishment of
closer relationships between Western countries, Europe, and Asia. The United
States, in particular, sought to deepen its ties with Asia, as evidenced by the
Clinton administration's "pivot to Asia" policy.
The 2000s: China's Rise and the War on Terror
The 2000s saw the rise of China as a global
economic and military power. This period was marked by China's entry into the
World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, which paved the way for its integration
into the global economy. It also saw the United States launch the War on
Terror in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. This led to closer
cooperation between Western countries, Europe, and Asia in the fight against
terrorism.
The 2010s: Shifts in Global Power
The 2010s saw significant shifts in global
power, with China emerging as a major competitor to the United States. The
Obama administration continued the Clinton administration’s "pivot to
Asia" policy, which helped deepen the United States' engagement with
Asia. At the same time, the European Union started to face significant
challenges, including debt crisis and the refugee crisis. This led to increased
tensions between Western countries and Europe, particularly over issues such as
immigration and economic policy.
The 2020s: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Growing
Tensions
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2019,
has had a significant impact on international relationships between Western
countries, Europe, China, and Asia. The pandemic has highlighted the interdependence of the global economy and the need for closer cooperation
between nations. However, the pandemic has also led to growing tensions between
the United States and China, particularly over issues such as trade,
intellectual property, and human rights. This has led to increased competition
between the two countries, which could have significant implications for the
future of global politics.
It remains to be seen how these relationships
will evolve in the coming years. The United States under the Biden
administration has signalled a shift towards greater cooperation and engagement
with other nations, particularly in the areas of climate change and global
health. However, the ongoing tensions with China and the challenges facing
Europe due to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict which could complicate these
efforts.
As of today, the future of international
relationships between Western countries, Europe, China, and Asia will depend on
a complex mix of economic, political, and social factors. As the world becomes
increasingly interconnected, it is more important than ever for nations to work
together to address common challenges and pursue shared goals.
India has been an important player in
international diplomacy for several decades. In the period between 1995 to
2021, and has developed strong diplomatic relationships with several countries
across the world, including China, Europe, USA, and also the economically weak
nations.
India's Diplomatic Policy towards China
India and China share a complex relationship
that has been marked by several historical and territorial disputes. Despite
this, India has pursued a policy of engagement and cooperation with China. In
the period between 1995 to 2021, India and China engaged in several high-level
diplomatic talks, including the 2003 landmark agreement on the "Political
Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of the India-China Boundary
Question." This agreement laid the foundation for resolving the border
dispute between the two countries. However, tensions between India and China
flared up in 2020 following a border clash in the Galwan Valley. This has led
to a significant deterioration in the relationship between the two countries,
with India adopting a more assertive stance towards China, while attempting to
keep the relationship isolated from frequent open conflict, while conducting a
series of diplomatic initiatives at the border level, as well as at international
levels.
India's Diplomatic Policy towards Europe and
the U.K.
In the period between 1995 to 2021, India and
Europe engaged in several high-level diplomatic talks, including the 2004
India-EU Summit. This summit led to the adoption of the "Joint Action
Plan" which aimed to deepen the relationship between India and the EU
in areas such as trade, investment, and science and technology.
India has also pursued a policy of engagement
with the United Kingdom, with both countries establishing a strategic
partnership in 2004. In 2021, India and the U.K. signed the "Roadmap
2030," agreement which set out a comprehensive plan for deepening the
bilateral relationship between the two countries in areas such as trade,
defense, and technology.
India's Diplomatic Policy towards the United
States
India and the United States have developed a
strong strategic partnership over the past two decades. This partnership has
been marked by closer cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, and energy.
In the period between 1995 to 2021, India and
the United States engaged in several high-level diplomatic talks, including the
2000 "New Framework for the US-India Défense Relationship" and
the 2005 "US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement." In recent years,
the strategic partnership between India and the United States has continued to
grow. In 2021, India and the United States signed the "US-India
Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," which aimed to deepen the
bilateral relationship between the two countries even further.
India's Diplomatic Policy towards Economically
Weak Countries
India has pursued a policy of engagement and
cooperation with economically weak countries across the world, particularly in
the African continent. India's engagement with these countries has been guided
by the principle of “South-South cooperation”, which aims to foster
economic development and promote mutual cooperation among developing countries.
In 2008, India and Africa signed the "New Delhi Declaration,"
which aimed to deepen the economic and strategic relationship between India and
Africa.
India has also established several
capacity-building programs in African countries, aimed at promoting human
resource development and strengthening institutional capacity. These programs
have included the Pan African e-Network project, which aimed to provide
telemedicine and tele-education services to African countries, and the India-Africa
Forum Summit 2015, which aimed to deepen the relationship between India and
African nations in areas such as trade, investment, and technology.
In addition, India has also pursued a policy
of engagement with Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands for establishing
several economic and strategic partnerships with countries of these regions,
including the India-CARICOM Joint Commission in 2009, which aimed to
deepen the economic and strategic relationship between India and Caribbean
nations; and has established several capacity-building programs in these
countries, aimed at promoting human resource development and strengthening
institutional capacity. These programs have included the establishment of centres
of excellence in various sectors, including information technology,
agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. India’s
relationship with the Pacific Island nations has deepened with the
establishment of the FIPIC in 2015. The recent meeting between Prime Minister
Modi and the leaders of the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) at
New York (2019) focused on the view towards building close partnership with the
Pacific Island nations and work closely to advance mutually beneficial
developmental goals.
Moving forward, India's diplomatic policy
will need to be guided by a mix of economic, political, and social factors. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it
is more important than ever for nations to work together to address common
challenges and pursue shared goals. India's diplomatic policy will need to
reflect this reality and aim to deepen the relationship between India and other
nations across the world.
This brings us to the importance of the G20
forum where India is a member and has been elected to hold the Presidency of
the G20 in this year 2023. The G20 group of countries, also
known as the Group of Twenty, is an international forum that brings together
the world's leading developed and emerging economies to discuss global economic
and financial issues. The G20 consists of 19 countries and the European Union,
representing around 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population.
Importance of the G20
The G20 has emerged as a key platform for
international cooperation on global economic issues, providing a forum for
countries to discuss and coordinate policies that can promote sustainable and
inclusive growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty. The G20 has become
increasingly important in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which
highlighted the need for greater international coordination and cooperation to
address global economic challenges.
It plays an important role in promoting international
trade and investment, ensuring financial stability, and addressing global
issues such as climate change, inequality, and social inclusion. As the
world becomes increasingly interconnected, the G20's role in promoting global
economic cooperation and ensuring economic stability has become even more
crucial.
Agenda of the G20
The G20 agenda is focused on promoting
sustainable and inclusive growth, creating jobs, and reducing poverty, while
being committed to promoting open and fair trade, and to ensuring that the
benefits of economic growth are shared by all members of society. The G20
agenda is guided by a number of principles, including the importance of
cooperation and coordination, the need for inclusive and sustainable growth,
and the importance of promoting economic stability and financial reform, across
the world.
Policies of the G20
The G20 has implemented a number of policies which
include efforts to promote investment in infrastructure, to increase access to
finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, and to promote the development
of skills and education. It has also implemented policies to promote open and
fair trade, including efforts to reduce trade barriers and to promote the
development of regional and global trade agreements. It has worked to address
issues related to global financial stability, including efforts to improve the
regulation and supervision of financial institutions, and to promote
transparency and accountability in financial markets, and has played an
important role in promoting the Paris Agreement on climate change, and
in supporting efforts to promote sustainable development and reduce inequality.
The presidency of the G20 is transferred from
country to country on an annual basis to ensure that the organization remains
inclusive, representative, and responsive to the changing needs and priorities
of its members. By rotating the presidency, different regions and countries
have the opportunity to lead the organization and bring their unique perspectives
and priorities to the table. This helps to promote continuity and stability,
while also ensuring that different countries have the opportunity to shape the
agenda and priorities of the G20. This ensures that the organization's
decision-making processes are more visible and transparent and helps to promote
public trust in the organization and ensures that its policies and priorities
are aligned with the needs and interests of its members.
During the 2016 G20 summit, which was hosted
by China, the focus was on promoting innovation and sustainability, and the
launch of initiatives such as the Green Finance Study Group and the Global
Infrastructure Connectivity Alliance, while Japan's presidency in 2019, was
focused on promoting innovation and digitalization; with
the aim to “realize and promote a free and open, inclusive and sustainable,
human-centered future society” and recognize the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals as
being at the core of the development agenda and other global issues.
The 2020 G20 summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, focused
on promoting global cooperation to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its
economic impacts, and launched initiatives such as the Access to COVID-19
Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the Debt Service Suspension Initiative
(DSSI). These initiatives helped to promote international cooperation and
solidarity in the face of a global crisis, reflecting the unique priorities and
leadership of Saudi Arabia as the host country.
India, as the host of the G20 summit in 2023
is focused on promoting the universal sense of one-ness, via the theme 'One Earth, One Family,
One Future'. Essentially, this affirms the value of all life; human, animal, plant,
and microorganisms, and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the
wider universe. The theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment),
with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both
at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development, leading
to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer
future.
The period from the 1980s to the present day
has seen significant changes in the international relationships between countries
across the world. The emergence of Asia as a major economic and military power,
and the rise of China as a global competitor to the United States, have led to
complex and evolving relationships between these regions.
India's diplomatic policy towards China, Europe,
the United States, and economically weak countries between 1995 to 2021 has
been marked by several successes and challenges. While India has developed
strong partnerships with several countries across the world, it has also faced
several challenges, particularly in the areas of border disputes and trade
negotiations.
India’s soft diplomacy is reflected in its
international relationships. Its vision is optimistic and is based on the
principles of non-violence, largely pluralistic governance and a non-threatening
global leadership. The legacy of India’s culture, history and ancient
philosophy has shown the world that India is a largely harmonious nation that has
assimilated various different religions and ethnicities over the centuries, and
has never forgotten its own culture and the philosophy of peace, and has been a stalwart champion of
inter-civilizational and inter-cultural exchanges.
The current
government has created innovative ideas by blending traditional soft-power
elements of dialogue and mutual agreements, with the inclusiveness of the
Indian diaspora in its diplomatic efforts, the global promotion of Yoga, and
initiatives such as ‘Destination India’ and ‘Know India’ in advancing the
nation’s national interests.
Since 2014, the
Indian government under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
invested substantial resources to enhance India’s diplomatic capabilities. Embassies
across the world have been increased, and higher levels of interactions with
regional organizations like ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations),
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC (Bay
of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation),
has intensified cultural, economic, and diplomatic relationships with its
Eastern and South Asian neighbors through the Look–East Policy, the Act–East
Policy, and the Neighborhood First Policy, all of which are focused
on fostering stronger international ties which would
translate into commercial and strategic benefits for India.
“There are three trips you take to India: the one you think you’re going to have; the one you actually have; and the one you live through once you go back home”.
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