Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Berlin this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi positioned India as a global solutions provider or as a force of global good.
He at the same time pitched his India First doctrine by projecting his “Make in India” campaign in the manufacturing sector, whose foundation had been laid on good governance, enabling laws and rapid infrastructure development.
PM Modi’s India First for Global Good doctrine is a far cry from the country’s association with the non-aligned movement during the past Congress regimes as it is an active not inert doctrine.
Many a foreign policy wonks have defined Indian foreign policy today as strategically autonomous, multi-aligned, aligned on specific issues with some still delusional about non-alignment after India abstained from the Ukraine vote in UNSC along with China and UAE.
India also abstained with South Africa and South Africa in the UN vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council for invasion of Ukraine.
While the Modi government is committed to helping the neighboring countries with economic and infrastructure support and be the first responder in natural disasters, New Delhi knows that these countries barring Bhutan are playing the same cooperation game with China and getting the best benefits by playing one against the other.
One must remember, none of India’s neighbors share a border with each other except India but they all have a capability to be a national security threat to India by tying up with China like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Under the circumstances, it is best for India to bilaterally engage the neighbors without any expectation till such time they don’t play the China or the terror card. India is no longer bogged down by South Asia or by archaic NAM or Commonwealth of yesteryears, it is painting the global canvas with bold strokes and is reflected by the Indian diaspora.
