Foreign Policy of Bhartiya Janta Party Government 2.0
Recently, we have seen praises of Modi Government keeping Indian Citizen’s interest first. But let’s look at what is the chief instrument of foreign policy.
There are many search conflicts on what should be in the foreign policy.
But let’s scale down to the following ; Diplomacy, Military, Economic, State’s Intelligence Capabilities and Aid.
India has seen two foreign ministers since 2014 who have served India's foreign affairs really well.
PM Modi and FM Jaishankar - Modi 2.0 (https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-worlds-best-diplomat-why-modis-decision-to-appoint-s-jaishankar-as-eam-is-a-big-masterstroke-for-india-us-ties-101616)
Late Sushma ji meeting S Jaishankar, the former US Envoy Foreign Secretary (https://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/india/after-obama-visit-modi-names-indias-us-envoy-foreign-secretary)
Picture from https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/modi-scripts-new-diplomacy-code-transcends-power-blocs
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict is a good example. India abstained itself from the voting of any decisions and encouraged diplomacy. What is diplomacy? Diplomacy is to ensure that the relations of two big nations are peaceful and resolved peacefully. The Narendra Modi Government is advocating for peaceful dialogue between Russia – Ukraine because war would not lead to any desirable outcome and would result in more unhappiness. Not just happiness, the discord between the two countries will be broken.
Another milestone in India’s foreign policy is to maintain relationship with Palestine and Israel. India has been balancing the relationship between Israel and Palestine. Ever since PM Modi has been in power, his government has been establishing relationships. PM Modi made a historic visit to Palestine as the first leader of India to visit the Palestine state. But why did Modi visit the Palestine State?
Well, Palestine is backed by the Arab League which comprises of countries whom India has good relations such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Moreover, India has been an observer state. Therefore, this was necessary for India to balance the ties between Palestine and Israel. Let’s not forget that India imports oils from Saudi Arabia and has its own citizens working in United Arab Emirates. (https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-Aarb_Relations.pdf , https://www.eoicairo.gov.in/page/arab/ )
Picture from https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/iaf-conducts-major-readiness-exercise-in-jammu-amritsar/
India-Pakistan Standoff – Surgical Strikes
The 2019 Pulwama Attack sent a huge shockwave to the whole nation and the rest of the world. But what India did next was something that sent to the world: “Don’t you underestimate us and our military.”
Narendra Modi tried to reorganize the defense industry which was in shambles. Some of the moves were to organize the 41 Ordinance Factories into 7 DPSUs. The recent conflict shows how vulnerable can a country can be if the army is not self-reliant or organized. By merging the 7 DPSUs, the government ought to improve manufacturing and increase defense exports.
Tejas Aircraft performing at Singapore Air Show 2022(Picture from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iaf-to-show-off-tejas-fighter-jets-at-singapore-air-show-2022-1912188-2022-02-12)
Now, the Tejas Aircraft has received expressions of interests from many countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Philippines too ordered the BrahMos to deter China as the country is embroiled with a dispute in the South China Sea dispute.
South China Sea (Picture from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53344449)
China has been illegally building islands in the South China Sea which has seen strong oppositions from the ASEAN countries and some of the countries are trying to deter the aggression. In such times, the Tejas aircraft and BrahMos have proven that India is no less in providing not just a military equipment but of a high-quality military equipment packed with advanced technology. The successful BrahMos testing off Balasore, Odisha proved that India is now equipped with a missile which has shaken the entire world and made the world put their lens on India.
Brahmos (Picture from Wikipedia)
Recently , India collaborated with Israel to work on quantum technology, specifically Quantum cryptography. This is to help develop secured communication. Quantum technology is a new and upcoming field which is developing faster than other fields. Some of the examples include quantum computing, sensors, cryptography and imaging. This is a step ahead. As I am not an expert in explaining the exact terminologies, I have found a good article that explains it. (Link: https://hbr.org/2021/07/quantum-computing-is-coming-what-can-it-do)
A 2020 article listed some of the items that India has exported to countries. Here’s the article: https://www.livemint.com/industry/manufacturing/india-now-exports-defence-products-to-42-countries-11581332398457.html
Sri Lanka Investments by India (Jaffna International Airport)
Alliance Air for the inaugural run at Jaffna International Airport in 2019 (https://theprint.in/world/air-services-between-chennai-jaffna-relaunched-41-years/307455/)
The Jaffna International Airport was opened with India’s assistance to provide flight. The Jaffna International Airport is located in Palasy and this is the second international airport in Sri Lanka. Compared to how China mishandled the Hambantota Port which led to the spiral downfall of the economy of Sri Lanka, India sent its technical team to advise the airport authorities on how to upgrade the airport and left the upgrading works to the authorities to do it. (https://www.ft.lk/opinion/The-Jaffna-International-Airport-Fulfilling-Sri-Lankan-aspirations/14-687772)
Unfortunately , due to the COVID 19 , the airport was shut down but Sri Lanka Finance Minister had approached India PM Narendra Modi where he was assured India will help Sri Lanka open the airport.
Free Trade Agreements.
The Free Trade Agreement is meant to lower the tarrif barriers between two nations and to encourage free flow of goods and services as well as allow tourisms to visit the two countries without any issues.
PM Modi and PM Scott Morrison in Virtual Meeting (Picture from https://theprint.in/diplomacy/india-australia-interim-trade-deal-not-in-sight-even-after-pm-modis-summit-with-morrison/883012/)
One of the recent FTAs concluded was the India-Australia FTA. There was a friction between Canberra and Bejiing which led to the same treatment where sanctions were imposed. With India being the global hub for IT services, pharmaceutical and manufacturing, this FTA is seen as India being an alternative to China. Moreover, whatever transaction costs were incurred before this FTA, those have been either reduced or eliminated. (Refer to Annex 2A and 2B). This will benefit both consumers and the businesses. If the taxes are reduced, the items will be cheaper which will attract more consumers.
Let’s say an Australian Potato costs Rs 120 after all the customs and transaction cost. And let’s say the tarrif was 5%. Now it is 0%.
This would mean that the potato costs will be Rs 114.
If India signs more FTAs and concludes more, the exports will improve which will improve the net exports of the GDP component and bring in more revenue for both countries. More revenue for India means they can use the money to upgrade the infrastructure in India and improve the standard of living of Indians.
Economic Aid to the Neighbouring Countries
Did you know India provides economic aid to its neighbours?
India has set aside Rs 17,250 crores for the Ministry of External Affairs for development assistance to other countries such as Mauritius, Afghanistan and Nepal.
One of the projects that caught my eye was Chabahar Port in Iran. This port is a strategic port for India which allows the ships to bypass Pakistan and allow India to get more trade from this port in Iran. Moreover, the location is also strategic and allows a stiff competition between China and India. Moreover, this port is also significant in India-Iran-Afghanistan Partnership. During the COVID pandemic, essential items and vaccines from India went through this port to be shipped to other ports.
Chabahar Port in Iran. (https://thediplomat.com/2019/02/a-first-afghan-shipment-heads-to-india-via-irans-chabahar-port/)
I wonder if India can run this port, why did Sri Lanka offer a port to India to run the operations? Turns out that Sri Lanka Ports Authority actually signed an agreement in 2021 with Adani Group to run a port in the capital, Colombo and the port is next to the Chinese run jetty. This venture is known as Colombo West International Terminal. Adani will run this for 35 years. One key issue is that the Chinese Merchant Ports Holdings operates the Southern Hambantota port. It will be seen how will the Chinese do business alongside a Indian company.
Adani signs BOT deal for Colombo Port’s Western Container Terminal (Picture from https://www.ship-technology.com/news/colombo-port-western-container-terminal/)
Recent Kashmir Cyber Attacks :
Recently, many Chinese hackers targeted the Ladakh Power Grid and other power grids in the country. However, it seems India’s intelligence managed to save it and the cyber defense mechanisms had protected the grids from being cyber attacks.
The case study is not India’s case study. But this happened in Singapore. The case is known as SingHealth Cyber Attacks. The SingHealth Cyber Attack findings mentioned a foreign entity was behind this and the hackers wanted to know what medicine Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was taking. It is clear who was it. And India should ensure that its secrets and personal data of its citizens are not compromised.
The state intelligence is something that is bounded by the Secrets Act. Therefore, there are limited case studies.
Afghanistan Wheat Exports.
Afghan Driver walking on the sacks (Picture from https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-dispatches-first-wheat-aid-shipment-afghanistan-2022-02-22/)
It is extremely funny that allegedly, Pakistan had formed the Taliban and now the Taliban is attacking Pakistan but instead it is supporting India. (https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-set-to-begin-shipment-of-wheat-to-afghanistan-via-pak-from-tuesday-122022101443_1.html)
The Afghanistan Wheat Export is a good example where Afghanistan requested more wheat from India as it was facing humanitarian crisis. Pakistan had sent wheat too but it was rejected as it was of poor quality. This shows the trust Talibans too have in Modi Government as Modi is seen as a strong leader.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukraine Aid
NDRF Officers busy in the shipment of aids (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-sends-relief-and-med-supplies-to-war-hit-ukraine-101646193995703.html)
During the recent Russia-Ukraine Conflict, India too provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine by providing essential supplies like medicine and food. It shows that India is on standby to help countries regardless of whether they have supported India or not have supported India in any location during any circumstance.
COVID-19 Pandemic : Brazil
During the COVID-19 pandemic , Brazil had to face a situation where there was a shortage of vaccine. India donated 2 million vaccines to Brazil. However, this was stopped after some reports emerged that this was done through a corrupted manner and matter was investigated.
Sri Lankan Economic Crisis 2019-2022
The next crisis was the economic crisis in Sri Lanka where India donated many essential supplies like medicine, diesel to power the country and to provide fuel for vehicles. Sri Lanka has thanked India profusely despite siding with China previously for most of the projects. India under PM Narendra Modi is quick to provide the necessary support to provide Sri Lanka with necessary and essential resources. These resources will help Sri Lanka in recovering back its economy. Essential items like food and power are critical to any country to generate economic activities.
Food Insecurity Around The Globe
Besides Sri Lanka, its neighbors find themselves trapped in food insecurity issues. Under the new Food Plan, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has sponsored the donation of wheat and rice to five countries namely to Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria and Afghanistan. This is to also complement the UN World’s Food Programme which aims to ensure that the food insecurity in low-income countries is low and since India had surplus of rice, the FCI and Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution decided to donate the surplus to the five above mentioned countries. By doing so, India will be the main exporter of the rice and by providing rice to the countries which have food insecurity, this will strengthen the diplomatic ties between India and the five countries that have been mentioned. This policy is known as Neighbourhood First Responder where India proves to the world that it stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to any country which is in need. Interestingly, there were reports of godowns overflowing with surpluses which made it feasible.
S'pore company at centre of Brazil's probe into import of Indian vaccine | The Straits Times
India’s Foreign Aid Explained - The Borgen Project
India starts supplying rice to Sri Lanka in first major food aid - CNA (channelnewsasia.com)
COVID-19 Vaccines – The pandemic might have caused a huge dent on India and led India to the worst recession, but the way India stood in the pandemic was commendable. India itself decided to take action by implementing its own policy: Make In India.
Eventually, CoviShield and Covaxin were shipped to other countries like the United Kingdom and given to the low-income countries as well as neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. MEA had published the numbers in its own website.
(https://www.mea.gov.in/vaccine-supply.htm)
This cemented India as an alternative to China who also supplied vaccines to the world and India took advantage of its pharmaceutical hub.
Semiconductors is PM Narendra Modi dream where he aspires India to have its semiconductor industry so that it can reduce the dependence on other countries for electronic components. It is hoped that India will cement itself as a semiconductor hub too. By having a semiconductor industry, it can possibly proceed itself into the manufacturing of other products like laptops, mobiles, and other electronic devices. This way, China would not be able to exert its pressure and realise that India is its own competition. Hopefully, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw sets up a semiconductor industry soon so that we can have Make in India electronic products for exports which we can be proud of. Eventually, we can reduce the import of electronic products and pay exorbitant tariffs and be subjected to the bullying of big nations. Eventually, we can have more revenue also from the sale of electronic items and boost the domestic consumption which can boost GDP.
Another country that we have maintained excellent tie is Japan. Japan has been helping to fund some of India’s development.
Among all these, India ensured that its citizens were priority. The Russian Oil imports helped to lower the cost of fuels as the cost of fuels have surged significantly.
In conclusion, India has shifted its foreign policy from import to “Come to India and invest”. The talents of Indians are a result of why India has become the IT Hub of the World and Pharmaceutical hub of the world. With PM Narendra Modi government trying to improve the local laws and policies, PM Narendra Modi government is trying their best to encourage skill development for the country to push itself for being the alternative to China. The humanitarian assistance also boosts the reputation of India being a country that not just provides investment opportunities but also friend in need whenever help is required.
Links:
Military Section:
Economic:
https://www.ship-technology.com/news/colombo-port-western-container-terminal/
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