Looking at current Global events, it seems that; Indian policies on climate change, transportation and maritime security, collectively are contributing to shaping world politics to some extent.
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Currently, the major power centres of the world are stuck in their own delusions, challenges and international politics. In Unites States, the talks are about the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The United Kingdom, i.e. Great Britain, is once again in the trouble waters and on/off relationship, after its decision to leave the European Union (EU). As many 28 other nations of the European Union are still involved in interpreting the UK decision to leave EU. The struggle that started in Hong Kong against China's policies and its forceful takeover is also being faced at different levels. On the other hand, due to the Sino-US trade war at different levels i.e. business, trade, technology, space race, military enhancement and etc. China is also suffering the adverse effects of the massive increase in import duties imposed by the United States.
Against the backdrop of all these developments, India's role in foreign policy is being floated around for a while at international levels. On the one hand, while the formulas of international affairs seem to be concentrated in the United States, where exactly India stands for or against in terms of wide influx of issues happening around a world? Would India able to lead at least some of the most important issues and developments on the world stage? Does India want to lead like that… or does it think we can do it?
Of course, one thing is crystal clear, that is, the way in which the North/South American nations or European countries look at USA as a global leader in almost all walks of life, however, most of the Indians disagree with the concept. In fact, the time of Cold War was a period of self-examination and introspection for India to carefully architect their policies for external affairs. During the Cold War, many affairs including but not limited to disarmament, abolition of colonialism, handling of mutual enmity were put on foreground and highly emphasised. But no one had a capable and dominating leadership that could impose all these affairs globally. Considered from India's context, Cold War was roughly characterised by partition, starvation, constant wars, concentration of nuclear power. It was the then Global superpowers of that gave rise to all these present course of different industrial segments and drive their growth.
In fact, after 1991, the changed environment and new world of communication technolgy on the global stage became crucial and lucrative for India. Just as America and China benefited from the changed global equations during the post-Cold War period, India also managed to grab its pot of Gold from, India's economy was also liberalised during this period. It was during this time period that India got numerous opportunities to raise its position internationally, harness growth and became more secure in terms of business and Fx reserves. However, while the changing nature of decentralisation of power is beneficial to India, there is an attitude of non-compromise and non-inclusive towards India in important global institutions. Of course, from India's perspective, it is disappointing that the global governance of global security, global economics, and technology epicenter is held by self-serving, self-interested, outdated organisations.
Current Scenario and Reality at Global Level
With leadership changes and economies takes shape around the world, debates about these outmoded institutions are on the rise. As result, India's participation in global affairs now welcomed and has inclusive approach for India . If we look at the current series of events, it is clearly visible that the kind of global platform. Leadership and global recognition that India expects to have on the International level has been created in the last few years. Here are the three examples to showcase and backup our claim.
First Example
The first example is related to climate change. India's per capita carbon emissions are minimum and almost negligible compared to western world. Yet since the 2009 Copenhagen conference, the West tried to portraying India as lax (negligent) in complying with the global agreement on climate change. However, now the current situation seems to have changed dramatically. Currently, the US has unilaterally withdrawn from the Paris Agreement on climate change. On the other hand, while fulfilling its responsibility for sustainable development, India has over achieved, almost double the goals set earlier.
While India has shown the willingness to lead and establish an international solar front, it has also joined hands with its local level through public and private partnership. The Climate Action Tracker, an organization that evaluates the efforts of countries around the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, reach to the conclusion citing efforts of European countries', Chinese and Japanese, Russians and US's efforts were insufficient. However, they also mentioned that India was one of the few countries whose efforts were satisfactory.
Second Example
Another example of Indian leadership is related to communication. The United States, Japan and most European nations sent delegates to China's Belt and Road Forum in 2017. However, India decided not to participate in this conference, highly cherish by the west and stood by the demission. Instead, India had proposed a communications policy that included standardised principles. The policy included key elements such as sustainability of economic resources, employment and jobs for everyone, environment, transparency and respect for the sovereignty of each country.
Today, the standards that the United States, European countries and other countries, including Japan, are taking note of it and taking efforts to consider and include these principles proposed by India. In fact, India has lot to offer through these principles or standards, it can scrutinise and prove the strength of these principles, and can work with other countries to implement them. Moreover, Indian practice what it preach, and India had already initiated the developments related to these proposed principles.
Third Example
Now the third example of Indian leadership in this chain is related to maritime security. Importantly, the developments in this regard, especially in the Indian Ocean, are more prominent. Over the past several years, India has greatly increased the number of maritime patrols. For this, India has further developed and updated its own networks, bases or transport routes in countries like East Africa, South East Asia. It has also increased its own capacity to monitor maritime traffic, with corresponding investments in military infrastructure. In this context, cooperation has also been extended with countries that have less capacity. Along with this, India also willing to coordinate deployment strategy and sharing of information with its key partners.
All these developments hint India's leadership has a broad vision on global scale. Although these efforts seem not attracting much of attention and appreciation and overall acceptance as common vision, either in India or elsewhere.
Of course, there are many barriers and challenges considering the Indian leadership, and ironically it is clear that most of these barriers are from within the country. The economic progress of any country and the prosperity of its citizens are the key parameter for any nation to become an international superpower. It is true that recent development figures are not sufficiently satisfactory in this regard. At the same time, considering the consequences of abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, there are some new and urgent priorities on Indias' part.
It is equally true that the lack of resources required to continue the process of development with minimum speed and capacity is felt both inside and outside the government. However, a closer look at the recent events and developments suggest that India heading toward progress, as the world understands.
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