'Indian foreign policy well-placed to handle prevailing and future challenges'

India's foreign policy is today well-placed to handle all prevailing challenges as well as forthcoming ones in the post-covid world order, according to senior practioners of the craft and leading industry honchos. This was the common refrain at a webinar titled, “Is it time to Revaluate India's Foreign Policy?” organised by India's leading public policy body Ananta Aspen Centre as part of its foreign policy series.
The discussion held on Thursday was participated by Tarun Das, Founding Trustee, Ananta Aspen Centre and Chairman, Institute of Economic Growth, Ambassador P S Raghavan, Chairman National Security Advisory Board and Dr Naushad Forbes, Chairman, Ananta Aspen Centre & Co-Chairman, Forbes Marshall Private Limited. Das who has worked with every Indian government to promote Indian interests over the past few decades suggested that awareness on China must be created among all economic ministries, states and society at large within this country indicating that relations with India’s biggest neighbouring country is a priority for Delhi. He referred to multiple challenges in the India-China ties including Beijing’s moves to block India’s membership at UN Security Council and Nuclear Suppliers Group.

He also recalled efforts at a Track-II dialogue with a Chinese think tank in the past, which had the presence of current President Xi Jinping, but rued that the efforts did not yield major results. Das further suggested tapping of the large domestic market in India by the enterprises. Raghavan felt that the current scenario has brought sharper focus on geo-politics. However, he was of opinion that many issues will remain same in the post Covid world. Raghavan, who had served in the PMO and as India’s Ambassador to Russia, emphasised that economic performance of a country shapes it strategic imperatives.

Expressing similar sentiments on creating economic strengths Forbes suggested that India should pursue FTA with EU as well as with USA. All three speakers favoured Indian foreign policy’s emphasis on multipolarity and relations with several partners to achieve its goal. The session was moderated by Indrani Bagchi, Diplomatic Editor, The Times of India.