Thread by @DrSJaishankar

Privileged to deliver the 33rd Lecture of the Institute Lecture Series at @IIM_Calcutta on India and the World.

📹: fb.watch/gycAXhfL3c/

Made the following points:

Developments like pandemics, conflicts,terrorism&natural disasters have brought foreign policy to every home.But we needn’t be apprehensive or become defensive in our approach.

As foreign policy impacts us so deeply,we have an obligation to take interest in games nations play.

The world is full of possibilities.
Indians today are:

- utilizing global workplace effectively;

- leveraging capital, technology and best practices for national development;

- intrinsic to global innovation &

- traveling more frequently.

Indian diplomacy is striving to ensure better access,stronger protection,gr8r opportunities & fairer markets for them.

Hard to separate vulnerabilities from dependence or risks from benefits in globalized world. Need for reliable & resilient supply chains. Offers India another chance to board the bus of manufacturing. Modi Govt’s EoDB approach and PLIs intend to do that.

Scale of our digital delivery in food, finance, health, pension or social benefits is generating respect. Has been accompanied by growing risks of data privacy and data security. Trust and transparency are now more important.

The weaponization of everything is leading to a larger change in international affairs. Trade, connectivity, debt, resources and even tourism have become points of political pressure. Gaming of global rules and practices for national advantage can no longer be overlooked.

Sharpening great power competition is inevitably creating stress factors across multiple domains. We are not just moving towards a different model of global interaction but also one of greater national opportunities. In India, we know this as Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The political consequences of globalization has created its own backlash. World is seeing a revived interest in strategic autonomy.

When self-appointed custodians of correctness sit in judgement over global happenings, they cannot get away with it forever. Especially so when they have such strong vested interests in the outcomes.

The unfairness of globalization and stresses of the Covid experience have been aggravated by shortages and costs that derive from the developments in Ukraine. As a result,we are headed for a far more uncertain & insecure existence.

India,having such a large segment of vulnerable population, has to mitigate impact of key negative trends. We not only stand up for our own welfare, but speak on behalf of the Global South. We also have an obvious stake along with them in cooling down over-heated global politics.

We now have both the ability &the responsibility of shaping the global landscape. It is expressed in new concepts like Indo-Pacific, mechanisms like Quad or I2U2 or initiatives like @isolaralliance.On economic front, we have been judicious in manner &extent of engaging the world.

A lot of our foreign policy is devoted to preparing for, obviating, mitigating and reacting to national security threats. But clearly, a time has come that we need to decisively address longstanding vulnerabilities that a competitive world regularly exploits.

Challenges of last few years have earned us great credit fr coming through in manner in which we did.

10 reasons why we are taken more seriously now as moving towards becoming leading power:

1️⃣Our handling of Covid;

2️⃣Robust eco recovery & digitally-enabled socio-eco delivery in a world of headwinds.

3️⃣ Our growing economic relevance to the world;

4️⃣An independent foreign policy in an increasingly polarised world that also speaks for Global South;

5️⃣ Innovative diplomacy that has introduced new concepts and platforms;

6️⃣Resolute national security policy;

7️⃣A determination to look after our own abroad;
 
8️⃣Willingness to serve as a First Responder.

9️⃣Contributing to global betterment through initiatives in solar energy, disaster resilience, maritime security and counter-terrorism;

🔟Perception of a civilizational state that is finding its place once again in the global order.

Combination of changes in political standing, economic weight, technology capabilities, cultural influence & successes of our diaspora is moving India into a higher orbit.

Big issues of our times cannot be solved without India’s contribution or participation.

This is a moment when India resets terms of engagement with the world. Also a juncture when we should be prepared to take up greater responsibilities.

India today has a leadership and a vision as well as the perseverance & commitment to enhance its global standing.

Bottom line: India matters more.