Active global player

If, as Harold Wilson put it, a week is ‘a long time in politics’, a year is an epoch when India showed unprecedented foreign policy activism. Students of International Relations have never had it so good. PM Modi-led South Block has provided enough material to them to produce innumerable essays, papers and possibly books. Should this pace be maintained, imagine how rich the pickings will be by 2019!

It is not just about PM’s tours which took him to places as far apart as Fortaleza and Fiji, Vancouver and Ulan Bator, Brasilia and Xi'an in 19 countries. The more important aspects of the recent management of external relations are: India’s expanding worldview; deep conviction that foreign policy is an indispensable instrument to promote the nation's security and economic development; and firm belief that modern diplomacy is impactful when sustained by a blend of personal chemistry among leaders, engagement of business and civil society and a clever use of social media. Linking up with the Indian diaspora is a notable novelty.

A close look at the incoming and outgoing visits at VIP and VVIP level during May 2014-May 2015 reveals at least four key trends about foreign policy. First, top priority has been accorded to our neighbours in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Relations with Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, beside Mauritius and Seychelles, are stronger than before.

Some features of the changing situation in Afghanistan are not to India’s liking, but President Ashraf Ghani’s visit has helped to ameliorate the atmosphere. Given its complex internal politics, Maldives has become quite a challenge that needs suitable handling. The perpetual bête noire — Pakistan — remains an enigma. Neither ‘hawks’ nor ‘doves’ in New Delhi have a credible plan to offer. After a fluctuating start, Modi government has settled on a policy of firmness, backed by an inclination not to be obsessed with the western neighbour.

Secondly, PM Modi revels in sitting at the high table. He has had numerous opportunities of dialogue with them. His visit to US and President Obama’s ‘historic’ visit to New Delhi and presence at the Republic Day have undoubtedly contributed to strengthening of India-US relations. Modi’s visits to France, Germany and Canada, each marked by solid achievements, have consolidated ‘the western pillar’ of India’s external relations. The visit to Japan served the same purpose and resulted in strengthening India's standing in Asia. India-Russia relations in strategic and defense matters remain as strong as before.

China has been deservedly receiving sustained, high level attention. Xi Jinping’s visit to India lost much of its sheen due to the border incursions episode in Ladakh. Modi’s visit to China proved to be more productive, despite continuing divergences on a range of issues such as the boundary question, Pakistan, visa policy and trade deficit.

Nevertheless, the process of the two countries getting to know each other better, on a wider scale, is now under way. Thirdly, the shift from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ policy has been received well, but to gain credibility it should begin to show some tangible results soon.

Fourthly, the role in multilateral institutions like UN, G-20, EAS and BRICS has been marked by India’s pro-activism, clear articulation of concepts dear to us, and endeavour to generate synergy. This stems from the NDA government’s vision of India’s priorities and place in the world. But diplomatic success so far should not tempt the government to lose sight of the unfinished agenda.

There is a rising clamour for Indian leaders, especially the Prime Minister, to visit Central Asia, West Asia, Africa and Latin America. The third India-Africa Forum Summit, due in October, should be used creatively to project and deepen India’s links with the developing world.

Ties with Africa have immense potential; much of it is still untapped. On a visit to Brussels and Berlin last week, this author detected intense interest in European circles to hold the long-delayed India-EU Summit as soon as possible. This should be scheduled quickly, together perhaps with PM's visit to UK.

Strategic community has been bubbling with many other ideas. Our policymakers would do well to interact with some of the leading scholars and experts who could be assembled under the auspices of Heads of Think Tanks (HOTT) Forum, based in New Delhi. Modi, hailed by Time as ‘the next global player’, has been the chief protagonist. But the contribution of others should not be ignored.

The government as a whole deserves to be applauded for an outstanding performance in foreign policy and diplomacy. Now it might be experiencing the burden of rising expectations. Hence an increased focus on follow-up actions, delivery mechanisms and deployment of additional resources deserves priority. Above all, let us remember: like charity, foreign policy begins at home. Therefore, a strong economy and a more harmonious, consensus-driven polity should be our permanent goals.

(A former ambassador, the author is director general of the Indian Council of World Affairs. Views are personal.)