World looks up to India as its stature grows

When Russia invaded Ukraine, not only many western and powerful countries including the US, UK and France opposed it, but they also needed India to join them. They knew India’s stance mattered and that the whole world was watching what India had to say about the war.

This was evident from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks made in late December 21, 2021 that India's stature on the global stage has grown significantly and the world expects more from the country.

"We find ourselves in a different strategic environment. Our stature on the global stage has grown significantly. The world expects more from us and in a globalised era," he said.

During a discussion organised by Moscow-based think tank Valdai Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin admired Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India and his foreign policy. He said India has grown confident of its place in the world under PM Modi’s ‘India First’ foreign policy.

“A lot has been done under the leadership of PM Modi. He is a true patriot of his country. Prime Minister Modi is one of those people in the world who is capable of conducting independent foreign policy in the interest of his nation despite any attempts to do some detente or limit something,” Putin said.

Following Russia’s ‘military operation’ in Ukraine, India faced pressure from the West and the US to join them in condemning Russia’s actions and India was also criticised in the initial phases of the ongoing war for not doing enough.

In recent months, there has been acknowledgment from the Western leaders of efforts taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring both sides to the table but earlier PM Modi’s attempts to bring peace in Ukraine went unnoticed.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among many other leaders who praised PM Modi for his independent and people-centric foreign policy.

PM Modi’s ‘India First’ policy also saw India engaging with partners who may have their own rivalries or differences, like in the case of Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, Iraq-Iran, and Qatar-Saudi Arabia but despite that, each nation has individually engaged with India with complete enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan commended India’s foreign policy by saying that it shows how independent nations should frame their foreign policy.

“When India was asked to not procure oil from Russia, India did not accept since procuring oil at lower rates is in the best interest of Indian citizens,” he said.

In the United Nations, Indian envoys and cabinet ministers have often highlighted that smaller countries, be it in the African continent or Latin America or even in the Pacific, often feel that the UN fails to represent them.

Meanwhile, India External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar last month said India will always stand with the Global South and seek to strengthen the UN's effectiveness.

PM Modi’s dedication towards tackling climate change was lauded by former UK prime minister Boris Johnson, who said the Indian Prime Minister has ‘a plan’ while lauding him for his plans to harness solar energy.

“The one man who understands that so well and has achieved absolutely extraordinary things in his own country of India, is the Prime Minister of India – there is One Sun, One World, One Grid and One Narendra Modi,” Johnson said.
 
Former Israel prime minister Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Abdulla Shahid,  former Australian PM Scott Morrison, US President Joe Biden and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is along among the leaders who lauded PM Modi, his foreign policy and especially India’s vaccination drive.  

India’s might and sound foreign policy were also evident in its prompt actions taken to help Sri Lanka in its hour of need.  India acted swiftly and extended USD 4 billion to keep Sri Lanka’s accounts afloat when it was facing an acute shortage of funds. 

India also supported Sri Lanka’s demands for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package and restructuring of its debt. In one instance, the Indian naval ship Gharial was deployed to deliver supplies of medicines, highlighting the expeditious manner in which India sought to extend humanitarian help to Sri Lanka.

The unprecedented humanitarian and financial aid provided by India on such short notice showcases the country’s unique position in terms of its proximity to Sri Lanka and its capacity as well as capability to extend aid at a strategic level.

These efforts were commended by China as well as it praised India for helping Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China 'commends' India for efforts to mitigate the crisis in Sri Lanka.

"We have taken note that the Indian Government has also done a lot in this regard. We commend those efforts. China is ready to work with India and the rest of the international community to help Sri Lanka and other developing countries experiencing difficulty to pull through the hardship as early as possible," Lijian said.