Human-centric approach is helping India navigate choppy global waters

In the run-up to the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024, thought leaders and experts share their views on the theme of this year's event

- Sujan Chinoy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy is fleet-footed, driven by his personal energy and vision, anchored in a distinctly Indian civilizational milieu of dharma (duty) and vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world as one family).

Modi has been in office long enough to impart his imprimatur to India's foreign policy. He, more than any other Indian leader, understands the importance of developing a consensus on India's rise as it breaks into the front ranks of the global economy. Not being a permanent member of the UNSC made India vulnerable to the machinations of some major powers, but over the past decade, India, under Modi, has transformed itself from an observer to an active and influential player on the global stage. India's growing economic strength, its generous aid and assistance programmes, and considerable expeditionary capabilities have enabled it to emerge as a first responder during pandemics, natural disasters and financial crises across the regions. It has emerged as a credible voice in building consensus across the North-South and East-West divides.

Consensus building in an uncertain world is a difficult proposition when multilateral institutions are riddled with infirmities. But India's deft use of plurilateral frameworks has helped it to straddle conflicting positions. The Kazan Brics communique, with which India associates, sharply criticised Israel's military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria even as India maintains good relations with Israel.

Between the politics of domination and deterrence, Modi's diplomatic initiatives have focussed on redirecting the global discourse towards a new human-centric approach. He has often spoken of the need to eschew war. Throughout its G20 presidency last year, India urged the global community to resolve differences through dialogue. This approach is evident in India's position on the war in Ukraine.