Arun Joshi
Indian foreign policy has started showing its miraculous side . It is dealing with so many issues all at once at the international level . This is due to the political and economic stability and clarity in the mind of the leadership of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten years tenure of the last two phases after 2014 and 2019 polls, and now the third term that began on June 9 , has given the world an idea that he can be an anchor for stability in the immediate region and across the world .
Ever since Modi came to power in 2014 , there have been gigantic shifts in geopolitics across the world . While the world was seeking to understand the conflicts in Yemen, Syria , it was confronted with unsatiated quest for expansionism by China , and then came Russia-Ukraine war , and now the latest addition is Israel-Palestine conflict. Closer home , there is a persistent problem of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan , which is now visible both at macro and micro level.
There were two options , either the Modi government could have stayed aloof from the global problems and steered itself clear of the conflicts, or it could have been an active participant in resolving the crisis. It was also necessary to maintain its prestige and position and safeguard its national interests. Modi Government, as its mandate is , could not have stayed aloof from the troubles elsewhere in the world. India, sheer by its size and population , and historically important role that it has played in stabilizing the international relations .
There was only one option left; to be pro-active at the international stage . The best example of that was when Prime Minister visited Russia and Ukraine, two warring countries , where he pledged for peace and asked the countries involved to tap diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the issues, and offered to play a role of mediation between Moscow and Kyiv. His gesture has been appreciated globally . He has pursued his efforts during visits to Russia and Ukraine with his telephonic conversations with President Vladmir Putin of Russia, and the US President Joe Biden. He is the only leader who could have done so , and that’s what he did.
This despite the fact that many western countries, particularly the US, are unhappy with Delhi for importing Russian oil when most of the West has imposed sanctions on Russia , The West has urged the Government of India on number of occasions that it should stop importing oil from Russia , but the government simply said , no, and went ahead with the export of oil from the country locked in a conflict with Ukraine since February 2022.
India is also talking to the leaders in Middle-East to get the two warring sides to resolve their issues, keeping in view that how Israel-Gaza conflict was costing the world . Not only there are disruptions in supply chains, there also are concerns over the widening rifts between communities and nations . Palestinians have their support coming from a majority of Islamic nations , while Israel has its traditional backers in the west .Two sides are divided and unable to think of a way forward . The Modi government has suggested measures that can roll back the conflict .
The turmoil In Bangladesh has rattled South Asia. This is particularly disconcerting for India . as the trouble in this neighbouring country is fraught with consequences . India had a great role in liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and enjoyed very cordial relations with the country.. Sheikh Hasina , as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was a great friend of India. Now when the massive protests made Sheikh Hasina to flee her country and land in India for safety, Hindus in Bangladesh have been at the receiving end . Their homes and temples have been consigned to flames . Their hope is to flee to India, but then India has its own problems in entertaining the refugees from Bangladesh
Modi government made it clear to interim government that Hindus should be protected . This was a diplomatic message with a lot of strength in it . Bangladesh government, it emerges, has been made accountable for the safety of Hindus in the country .
This is how the Modi government is deftly handling the foreign policy challenges. Despite heavy challenges, India’s foreign policy has shown that it is not inhibited in making clear to the world that it wishes all countries well but no one should dare to cross its way.
Disclaimer: This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write-up have nothing to do with www.prameyanews.com.
