India is in a sweet spot

Successful visits by the Prime Minister to the US, Egypt, France and UAE displayed India’s growing global status. 

- HARSHA KAKAR

Defence deals, which largely come with multiple riders and restrictions, as also technology which is shared with close allies, were cleared by both France and the US, without restrictions. No other dignitary was received the way the Indian PM was in Papua New Guinea, displaying that nations respect those who stand by them in times of trouble.

India is a permanent invitee to the G7, heads G20, is a member of multiple western groupings including the Quad, I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and US) etc. Simultaneously, it is a member of anti-West organizations including the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and RIC (Russia, India, China trilateral). BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and south Africa) currently has a mix of both camps. The future path of BRICS will be determined by Indo-China ties. India has its own voice, as was evident by its refusal to endorse Chinese-backed proposals in both the SCO and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement).

India is also seeking to be the voice of less developed, post-colonial nations (referred to as the Global South), having travelled the route herself. These nations continue to face food security challenges, debt and climate issues. They lack a voice and have been exploited by loan sharks like China, which grant them unsustainable loans and in return grab strategic mineral resources and assets. India which rose from their status understands their concerns and challenges. India’s ‘Voice of Global Summit,’ held earlier this year, drew 125 participants from the Global South. In the G20 summit in September, India will push for greater support to these nations.