With its international standing scaling to new heights, India is fast emerging as a decisive player in global politics. This is evident not only from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the United States (US), but also its firm stand on various global issues with the potential to damage world peace and harmony. On its part, India has so far successfully withstood US pressure to join hands with the western block and cease buying crude oil from Russia to corner the country for its invasion of Ukraine. Similarly, India has formulated its own view regarding the Indo-Pacific and the assertive stance has largely been accepted by nations situated in the region. But notwithstanding India’s refusal to follow the US line, the relationship between New Delhi and Washington is on a high at present as India has not sided with Russia, and has made its disapproval of the Russian action quite clear by urging every nation to respect each other’s sovereignty. It should be noted that not very long ago India used to be known as a global soft power with limited military and economic might. It goes to India’s credit that instead of depending on such power, the country has carved a place for itself by relying on firm resolve and a pragmatic approach.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Since Independence, India has formulated its foreign policy based on Non-Aligned movement (NAM), a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The country was under enormous pressure to join a bloc since the beginning of the cold war, which created a bi-polarised world. On its part, India didn’t succumb to the pressure and has charted it’s own path. For its defiance of the directives of big and powerful nations, India was at the receiving end many a time and even faced sanctions after becoming a nuclear power. Even during such turbulent days, India didn’t attempt to find an easy escape route, rather it withstood the hardships that came its way. The prolonged resilience shown by India towards polarisation of the world, has now started paying rich dividends as now no one can ignore the country’s views on any important international issues. This is a phenomenal feat as no other country, which got independence after the Second World War, could strictly adhere to its established external policies. If other nations too withstood the pressure from the so-called big brothers, the global scenario today would have been a very different one.
As India marches forward as a nation by progressing in several fronts, it is expected that super powers will attempt to lure the country towards their own interests. India needs to be cautious and strategic while dealing with powerful nations. Until now, India has achieved remarkable success in this regard and needs to carry on with the same policy of not bowing down to any external pressure. The principles of the NAM, including maintaining peace, opposing colonialism, human rights protection, promoting economic growth, opposing military alliances and declaring the United Nations as the world’s peace making body should remain our focus. As India standing in the global arena grows, it must also work towards getting inducted as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.