If India becomes a $5 trillion economy by 2024, it will strengthen and transform Indian diplomacy. The foreign policy agenda of the new government should also incorporate defence diplomacy in the overall diplomacy

by Arvind Gupta

The BJP’s election manifesto made certain promises with regard to foreign policy, internal security and defence. In the realm of foreign policy, the manifesto talks about the propagation of ancient Indian wisdom that could become the basis of India’s global cooperation; creation of an institutional mechanism to deepen engagement with the people of Indian origin; intensification of efforts to seek permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council; and setting up of a full-fledged university of foreign policy to strengthen research on foreign policy and geopolitical issues relevant to India.

There are many promises in the manifesto under different heads in which diplomacy will be called into play. For instance, zero tolerance to terrorism approach involves taking a firm line with Pakistan and strengthening international cooperation for countering terrorism and extremism. The implementation of the National Register Of Citizens will also concern relations with other countries, especially because some people may have to be deported. Building smart fences and improving border security impacts bilateral relations with neighbouring countries. Abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution concerns Jammu and Kashmir where cross-border terrorism and infiltration from Pakistan are rampant.

If India becomes a $5 trillion economy by 2024, it will strengthen and transform Indian diplomacy. On the economic front, the manifesto speaks about improving the competitiveness of the economy, making India a more attractive destination for foreign investments, increasing exports; conducting multilateral negotiations on free trade agreements with various countries; taking advantage of the US-China trade war to attract industry, which is shifting out of China; making India a hub of Industry 4.0 manufacturing, defence equipment, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Achieving these laudable objectives will involve active diplomacy one way or the other.

The idea of a foreign policy university is new. Other ideas have been around in some form or the other for a long time. On paper, the idea of a foreign policy university is good but the government should learn from the saga of National defence University, which has still not been set up despite the fact that it was conceived 17 years ago.

The idea of seeking a permanent seat at the UN Security Council is laudable but looks unachievable at the moment because there is no appetite among the P5 and also many other nations for the expansion of the UN Security Council in the permanent members’ category. India can try but it should not set its hopes too high.

The government’s focus on India’s culture through the propagation of themes such as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is a family) is laudable. It will require a lot of diplomatic effort. India should try and get a UN General Assembly resolution passed on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It should make diplomatic efforts to set up dialogues, discussions and consultations with other countries both at the official and unofficial levels to promote the idea.

The foreign policy agenda of the new government should also incorporate defence diplomacy in the overall diplomacy. This requires a fundamental overhaul of the internal mechanisms to improve coordination between the ministries of defence and external affairs and the armed forces. Such coordination so far has been ad hoc and inadequate.

The economy and security issues are getting intertwined. President Donald Trump has shown how international trade, duties and sanctions can be used to achieve national security objectives. The US-China trade war presents opportunities as well as dangers. Indian foreign policy, in collaboration with the other ministries concerned, should devise strategies not only to exploit the new opportunities but also to safeguard India against dangers.

India’s exports have been flat for many years. Balance of trade has been becoming increasingly adverse. Many of the free trade agreements (FTAs) signed in the past few years have only made the balance of trade worse. There is tremendous pressure on India from other countries to open its economy. India has been cautious considering that several sectors of its economy are not in a position to withstand the competition from cheap imports. India must learn to leverage its vast market and human resources in the negotiations on FTAs.

The foreign policy agenda cuts across several ministries and departments of the government. A comprehensive government approach to foreign policy needs to be devised. The ministries of external affairs, finance and commerce need to work together to identify and implement winning strategies. At the same time, other departments like that of industry will have to take steps to improve India’s productivity. International trade negotiations are affairs ministry is a facilitator at best. The government should set up a multi-ministry task force, duly empowered, to deal with international negotiations on trade issues. There is a need for creating effective mechanisms within the government to implement the foreign policy agenda.

The Author is Former Deputy NSA