Statements by India’s political leadership at international forums provide insights into New Delhi’s foreign policy objectives and how the country is conducting its diplomatic engagements. These articulations cover diverse issues such as call for upholding the United Nations Charter and its core principles, sovereignty, territorial integrity and free and open international order based on rules and international law. Prime Minister Modi has also held that “We [India] are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles,”

There is also a sane advice by Prime Minister Modi in the context of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In his meeting with President Putin in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Prime Minister Modi conveyed to his counterpart- “today’s era is not of war” and that “democracy, diplomacy and dialogue” are the preferred tools for conduct of international relations.

On his part, Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, has been working with leaders and counterparts from diverse countries, big and small, developed, developing and under developed alike, at the bilateral, trilateral and multilateral levels. He has rallied partners and friendly countries to come together and help States affected by crises and jointly explore solution to manage multiple challenges such as climate change, health and food security, socio-economic development etc.

These proactive initiatives have resonated among global leaders who have acknowledged India’s role as a responsible State. Currently there are at least four distinct trends that showcase how India is conducting international relations and participating in various security architecture. First, New Delhi has chosen strategic partnerships as the primary diplomatic tool. It has, as in the past, shunned alliances and shied from joining any particular ‘camp’. Consequently, the numbers of partnerships is growing and it help New Delhi to engage with diverse countries both in terms of geography and national interests. This also provides flexibility and politico-strategic comfort to the participating countries.

The second trend is the growing popularity of minilateralism in India’s politico-diplomatic-economic-technological-development engagements. In fact multiple permutations and combinations have emerged. For instance, the trilateral between India, France and Australia is an effective way to finding common agenda. Similarly, India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States (I2U2) have identified six priority areas for cooperation and investment: water, energy, and transportation, space, health, and food security. The I2U2 grouping focus is on mobilizing the “private sector capital and expertise to help modernize infrastructure, develop low carbon development pathways for industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies in the member countries”.

The third is the “interregional approach” demonstrated by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to discuss issues of common concern such as “counter-terrorism, trade, health, traditional medicine, environment” and interest such as “S&T and innovation, agriculture, technical and vocational education & training, and MSMEs”. It is also a representation of being inclusive. Another grouping is the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, the US), which has a strong focus on the geostrategic issues and is seen as targeted against China. However, the Quad members also appear to be “committed to work for region’s peace and stability through development initiatives” pivoting on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).  

Fourth is the growing role of the Sherpas in India’s diplomacy. The concept of Sherpas is not new and has been part of the diplomatic lexicon and activity for decades. They are career diplomats or senior government officials and act as “personal representatives of each leader” to represent their country's interests and carry out the extensive series of pre-summit consultations needed before all such high-profile meetings. They determine the work agenda and “meet at regular intervals and identify possible areas of cooperation. Indian Sherpas' have displayed sophisticated diplomatic skills and worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to address contentious issues. For instance, India’s G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant has emphasised on the “importance of all G20 members collectively addressing health, food and energy security challenges efficiently, in an urgent, cooperative and equitable manner”. While the Sherpa have done the heavy lifting, the role of “sous-Sherpas” who provide input on a variety of issues cannot be undervalued.

It is evident that India has chosen to embrace multi-partner strategy which helps New Delhi to reach out in multiple directions and maximize gains that pivot on convergences. These have also translated into the domain of defence and security resulting in strategic engagement that now call for a rules-based international order and safeguards sovereignty.

Dr Vijay Sakhuja is Consultant Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.