New India’s leadership during global crisis

The Sun of India’s Destiny would rise and fill all India with its light and overflow India and overflow Asia and overflow the world. Every hour, every moment could only bring them nearer to the brightness of the day that god had decreed- Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo was prophetic in believing that the universe has chosen India for its divine mission, and that problems of global dimension warrant collective action, that India is to now lead. The crises infesting the world today are many, complex, and even intertwined. India, however, with its engagement across fora acts as a solution oriented country. The most defining challenges of the century are ‘climate change & environmental catastrophe’, ‘conflict’, and ‘food insecurity with poor life standards’. It is imperative to look at how India has taken one for the team over the years and what more can be done.

India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) activities– Multiple scholars and observers have accorded India with the status of Net Security Provider, and First Responder in South Asia, for its benign regional outlook. Assistance during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami crisis, Operation Maitri in 2015 during Nepal Earthquakes, 2014 Maldives water crisis, supply of 1.7 Lakh Tons of wheat and 2000 Tons of pulses to the failed state of Afghanistan in 2018 are humanitarian assistances that India undertook. Furthermore, India stood out as the top supplier of food to the LDCs, its valuation reaching 1 Billion $, which is more than the combined similar aid from Europe and USA.
 

Also, India’s development “partnership” (India doesn’t use the term “assistance”, unlike the western stance which is more condescending) has shot up to Rs.6.7 Billion, its cost of services being relatively less. Ex: India-Nepal “New Partnership in Agriculture”, India’s help in increasing rice producing capacity in Senegal. Its peacebuilding activities has seen expansion both geographically and in terms of modalities. Moreover, India hasn’t limited such relief activities to just its neighborhood. Ex: Operation Sahayta (2018) in Madagascar and Mozambique, Mission Sagar in Horn of Africa for food and medical assistance during pandemic, Vaccine Maitri for its neighbors. India’s total actual expenditure on disaster relief grants between 2009- 2019 was INR 495 Crore.

The Green Move– India’s advocacy for practical, equitable and prompt response to this looming crisis is anti-imperialistic and exhibits south-south solidarity. It has taken its Glasgow commitments seriously, and is in for an integrated approach to both climate adaptability and mitigation. Ex. Green Hydrogen project, Biofuels policy, thrust upon E-Vehicles, Blended fuel, increasing share of renewables, banning single use plastics (SUPs), banning leaded petrol, and its economic policies for sustainable farming are just a few cases to cite. The mooting of International Solar Alliance exhibits India’s determination to harness benefits for the world via entrapping solar energy with a common connected grid. Also, India has been upfront in voicing concerns about discriminatory clauses that sideline genuine third world concerns, be it in climate related or trade related international instrumentalities.
 

Ex: India’s pitch against limits to public stockholding of grains at WTO is a crucial example of India’s astute leadership citing the concerns of LDCs and developing countries. India’s multilateral trade dealings have always been cognizant of centrality of livelihood security, food security and rural development. No wonder that it calls the ‘principle of special and differential treatment’ as a non-negotiable right for all developing countries. Similarly, it uphold the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibility’ (CBDR) in climate negotiations.
 

Conflict-The current global order is marred by local (Syrian war, Yemen crisis, Libyan crisis, DRC crisis, Myanmar case), regional (Ukraine-Russia war, Israel-Iran conflict, Saudi-Yemen conflict, Indo-China face-off, Indo-Pak problem, South China Sea issue), inter-regional (US-China rivalry) and global threats (nuclear weapon proliferation and threats by rogue states) with spillover effects. India has acted as a good balancer between various rival parties, thus securing its national interest, and hence also has potential to play a mediator if need be. To phrase it as running with the hare and hunting with the hounds is an incorrect interpretation. Instead of putting either party on pedestal, India has proffered the option of peace by diplomatic channels as it sees sanctions as a weapon of war that hurts civilians the most. It has analyzed well that sanctions can choke the world supply chains which are so complexly interdependent. Hence, India has taken to multilateral and regional platforms to symbolically convey its stance without embroiling itself into controversies that can impact its core national interests negatively. It took to G7 as a guest, and also to SCO, and then PM Modi’s statement that “this is not an era of war” was taken note of. War carries serious repercussions for food insecurity and life standards.
 

For Human Security Issues– Addressing poverty and Combating hunger are SDGs 1 and 2 respectively. The Pandemic has retarded the progress in these areas and chances of 2030 as the achievement year seem meek. Moreover, multiple breadbasket failures owing to extreme weathers are a reality now, with conflict triggered supply issues impacting a commoner’s pocket. With this context in background, India’s food support system covered an approx. 810 million people in India. The food consignments were also sent to various countries during the pandemic. The template of the largest of such social distribution programs is a subject of study, which can be used by other countries too. India’s retail payment system involving use of UPI, and Covid management strategies involving use of Arogya Setu app and digital Covid certificates, use of Digilocker for storing important government documents have all made life easier and lowered paper waste generation. With enhanced digital inclusivity, the face of transactions will change. India is really giving digital solutions that impact the masses directly. The affordable housing scheme (PMAY) under Modi government addresses the issue of cost of living crisis which the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2023 sees as among world’s top current risks.
 

India’s attempts to make global public goods accessible has been remarkable. In this endeavor, it is joined by countries like Africa and China. Ex: India and South Africa’s pitch for IPR norm relaxation for boosting Covid vaccine production. The pandemic has accelerated demand for making certain public goods global. Ex: Medicine and food. India’s pharmaceutical industry is a rising sector, with benefits for the world owing to its cheaper yet quality uncompromising medicines to achieve the basic Human Right to Health as mentioned in 1948 UDHR. India’s exports of pharmaceutical products rose to 2.37 times in April-February 2022-23. India is placed among the biggest suppliers of low cost vaccines in the world (60% of the world). It’s pitch for leveraging traditional medicine and harnessing indigenous knowledge has recently culminated in establishment of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar of Gujarat, India, with a 250 Million USD worth investment support from India.
 

The pandemic has also made the education project a herculean task. The world can take cue from digital solutions to this that India has come up with. Ex: SWAYAM portal, E-Diksha. Certainly, India’s approaches to improving social indicators can be an inspiration to other aspiring countries. Indigenous knowledge can also provide invaluable insights on eco-anything, ranging from sustainable consumption, sustainable recovery, and other green solutions for adapting at individual level. Awarding Padma Shri to conservationists like Rahibai, Tulsi Gowda, etc. showcases India’s advocacy for LiFE (Lifestyle for environment).

India’s spotlight moment- India’s continued support for a just dialogue among the comity of nations to arrive at acceptable norms, while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each other is a principled position. Its advocacy for a New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System (NORMS), guided by tenets of Samman, Samvad, Sahyog, Shanti and Samriddhi is a key agenda. It would be of great benefit to the global south in supporting India in this endeavour.
 

Conflict negatively impacts security (of food, environment and life), further reinforcing more conflict, impacting global supplies of essentials and reversing the developments in human civilization. Thus, a multipronged approach, by multilateral dealings is the only way. India recognizes this reality. Great challenges bring greater opportunities. New India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be at helm to help steer the world’s way towards better and inclusive solutions. India’s G20 presidency can be a milestone for the same.