Times of India
C. Rajamohan
July 21 2015
NEW DELHI: The interplay of India, US and China is “among the key factors that will determine the strategic balance in Asia and beyond”, according to foreign secretary S Jaishankar. In two back-to-back speeches, India’s top diplomat laid out the drivers of the Modi government’s foreign policy.
Delivering the IISS-Fullerton lecture in Singapore, Jaishankar said, “Transition in India is an expression of greater self-confidence. Its foreign policy dimension is to aspire to be a leading power, rather than just a balancing power. Consequently, there is also a willingness to shoulder greater global responsibilities. This was demonstrated recently in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Yemen and Nepal. It is also reflected in our role in peace-keeping and in keeping the maritime commons safe and secure. And it is affirmed by India’s active participation in important global negotiations.”
Over the weekend, Jaishankar, releasing a book by C Raja Mohan, said the term “‘Neighbourhood First” has a clear self-explanatory message. Even a shift from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ is not without its meaning. The themes of “greater connectivity, stronger cooperation and broader contacts” dominate India’s engagement with the neighbourhood. “Even in a short span of time, some results are already evident. In the case of Bangladesh, it includes the settlement of the land boundary and major connectivity and infrastructure initiatives. With Nepal, the long-standing potential for hydro-electric power is beginning to be tapped. India was not only the first responder during the earthquake but also the principal contributor to its reconstruction efforts. With Bhutan, a traditionally strong relationship has been further consolidated,” he said.
Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, he said, countries appear to be more “ready to respond to a more business-like India”. He highlights India’s new style of a “regional approach to engagement, reflected in Prime Minister’s recent visits to the Indian Ocean, Northeast Asia and Central Asia. Summit-level meetings with Pacific Islands and Africa will take place in India this year”.
The bottomline of India’s foreign policy, Jaishankar said, is that its prepared to play the role of a growing power in the world, and think afresh, even discarding the dominant philosphies of non-alignment and “strategic autonomy” of the 20th century. “India engages the world with greater confidence and assurance. It does so with the intent of ensuring stronger growth, greater connectivity, closer integration and deeper harmony. It wants to expand its commonalities and manage its differences. It is prepared to shoulder greater responsibility and expects that this would be duly reflected in the structure of the international order. With specific reference to India’s ties with the US and China, we approach them both positively. In doing so, we look beyond the 20th century orthodoxies,” he said.
The foreign secretary said the PM’s personal outreach is an aspect of Indian diplomacy. India, he said, has done away with “reactive diplomacy” — no longer will India deal with single regions with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy. The new view will enable India to go beyond taking “an integrated view of regions where local balances sometimes offer advantages to be exploited”. Giving a glimpse of the work under way within the foreign ministry, Jaishankar said, “In its implementation, (the new foreign policy) overcomes the silos that are a particular bane of our working style.”
