Name: Siddharth Kadian

Roll No: IIGLIRD208124

Paper Name: India and The World: India’s Foreign Policy

Application based Question for Paper-II

Speech: India’s Foreign Policy

Ladies and Gentlemen, a warm welcome to all of you. Tonight I stand before you, deeply

regretting the inability to hold this event in person but the safety of everyone involved in such

an undertaking is paramount and as such this virtual meeting must suffice for the time being.

Tonight we shall discuss a subject that holds immense importance, not only to our

great nation but also to the wider international community: India’s future on the global stage.

It has been something of a personal goal to see India regain its position as the spiritual leader

of the world and revive its once vaunted reputation on the international stage and it does my

heart good to see friends of various nationalities and backgrounds from around the globe in

attendance here tonight. We shall talk about how India’s foreign policy has evolved under the

oversight of the current administration and provide what I hope will be ample justification of

this government’s vision for its future in light of recent developments.

Foreign policy is the cornerstone of a nation’s foundation during this modern era of

globalization. It is the roadmap that guides our aims and engagements with our allies and

counterparts abroad. It is the shield that safeguards our interests as well as the sword that

warns any potential threats. The Indian foreign policy, a brainchild of respected Prime

Minister Nehru, has always been rooted in principles of peace, non-conformity, mutual-

respect and cooperation.

polarized factions of power during the time. India’s emphasis on non-conformity with either

side was deemed necessary by the vernacular administration to facilitate the reawakening and

revival of the nation from the effects of European colonialism.

The situation is vastly different from this case. Despite this stark evolution of the

global status quo, the Indian foreign policy is primarily the same with minor refinements

made by each subsequent regime. It is high time that an entire overhaul be undertaken to

bring into place a foreign policy that befits India as a leading nation of the contemporary

world. In the past decade during under my tenure as the Prime Minister, it has been

something of a personal goal to refine and redefine India’s foreign policy to reflect the

contemporary realities.

Despite the frequent and highly vocal protests of my respected colleagues from the

opposition, I humbly accept and welcome their criticism and their contribution in this effort

cannot be understated in any way. We have witnessed a nuanced shift in the power relations

on the global scale and our policies should evolve accordingly. We no longer live in a bipolar

world. In an interconnected world, the fates of various states are intrinsically linked together

and cooperation is not something that is simply desirable, but imperative.

Our administration has attempted to foster warm relations with all, even geopolitical

rivals in order to promote mutual understanding. Our engagements have been marked by a

spirit of inclusivity and a commitment to finding common ground. However, it must also be

acknowledged that India now holds a unique position on the global stage. The world’s fastest

growing economy and the most populous nation on the globe, we must now lead the world by

example. We no longer have the privilege of looking to others for the protection of our
national security and sovereignty, as had long been the case in the post-independence era.

India stands as a leader of the Global South and with this growing influence comes a greater

form of responsibility not simply to its own citizens, but to the various developing and

backward states around the globe that have been suspended in the whirlwind caused by

conflicts of interest between the superpowers.

As such, while India has attempted to further diplomatic ties and has extended a hand

in friendship, the defence of the nation has been deemed paramount. The current

administration has also fiercely defended our sovereignty and national interests. The current

scenario requires a foreign policy that is both principled yet pragmatic. Recent incursions into

Indian territories highlights some states’ disregard for our sovereignty and the world must

rest assured that while India maintains its position on not being the one to start violent

hostilities, such events will no longer be tolerated. India shall endeavour to pursue all forms

of trade and diplomatic boycott of the party in error. Quoting the popular Chinese warrior

Sun Tzu seems apt here: “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

Now, as we look to the future, recent developments in our region demand a re-

evaluation of our foreign policy priorities. The dynamics are shifting, and we must adapt.

With India taking up the mantle of the most populous nation in the world, our home-grown

campaign of “Make in India” has attempted to highlight our greatest resource: our young

workforce. India is currently in possession of the world’s largest workforce with a high

standard of education and a willingness to work hard. Thus, we find ourselves at the

confluence of rapid economic growth, technological innovation, and complex security

challenges.

To address these realities, my vision for India's foreign policy is one that is rooted in

three key pillars. Firstly, we will continue to champion multilateralism and a rules-based
international order. In an era of interdependence, no nation can prosper in isolation. We will

work with our partners to strengthen institutions that uphold global norms and provide

avenues for peaceful resolution of disputes while maintaining the unambiguity of our national

interests.

Secondly, we shall further attempt to deepen our engagement with our immediate

neighbours and the wider Indo-Pacific region. This is not simply a matter of geographical

proximity, but recognition of the shared cultural, historical, and economic ties that bind us.

These common affiliations tie our respective nations together and pave the way for

multilateral cooperation for regional development.

Lastly, we invite investments from around the globe to utilize the explosive

technological development being done in India. India's transformation into a knowledge

economy and its burgeoning start-up ecosystem are testaments to our potential. We are ready

to be at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development, and we invite the world to

join us on this journey. This shall help in forging closer ties at a personal level between

various nations.

In conclusion, our foreign policy is not just a matter of diplomacy; it is an expression

of our values, aspirations, and the legacy we leave for future generations. However, this does

not mean that we shall blindly align ourselves with anyone simply for the sake of their

alliance. India shall always be aligned with righteous action as long as it confirms to our

basic moral principles. I leave you all tonight with the quote from late Lady Eleanor

Roosevelt: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to

believe in it. One must work at it”. I sincerely hope that I can count upon the support of all

here in attendance to work towards a better and more peaceful future.