A changing global context, a more transactional world and China’s assertiveness increase India’s pool of potential friends.
The recently concluded G7 summit in Cornwall, was held in a very
different world to that of 2019, when the last summit took place.
The impact of the Covid pandemic and the replacement of the Trump
administration by the Biden dispensation have contributed to the altered
context.
Other factors include the enhanced aggressiveness of China – both
economically and strategically. In addition, we have seen the formal
emergence of the
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (known informally as the Quad). This
is a strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and
India.
India: From onlooker to partner
In recent months, India’s participation in more Western-oriented
engagements is being noticed. In the G7, this time round, India was more
of a partner in the agenda than an onlooker.
Whether on the issue of climate change, the pandemic, the reworking
of the international economy or the bolstering of democratic values,
India has emerged as an important player.
Vaccines
India has always been a large producer of vaccines not just for its
domestic market, but also for the rest of the world. That is an
important fact whose strategic value has been highlighted by the Covid
pandemic.
In the context of international vaccine cooperation, the focus on
India as the future of cost-effective vaccine manufacturing has
increased.
Climate change
On climate change, in the past, India was usually criticized
internationally for not doing enough. However, since 2015, India has
moved robustly towards improving its solar energy efforts, in particular
through the International Solar Alliance.
India’s national commitments towards mitigating climate change are
among the most ambitious in the world. This is gradually being
recognized. New Delhi has voluntarily committed to reducing the greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030.
India and the democracy vs. autocracy divide
With the world increasingly divided between democratic and autocratic
regimes, India’s open support for good governance and democracy at
international fora, also gives it a special place.
The enhanced strategic value attached to such a stance is giving India the chance to cultivate more friends around the globe.
Non-Western partners remain important
India remains a member of many dialogues that include China, such as
the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), the RIC (Russia,
India China), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the East Asia
Summit.
Through these it engages with China and other non-Western partners
like Russia, Brazil, South Africa and Central Asia. All these nations
remain strategically important to India.
Countering Chinese aggression
However, the global and regional context in which these dialogues
take place has altered due to China’s aggressive actions, both prior to
and after the Covid pandemic.
It is now more necessary than ever to counter these globe-spanning efforts.
India itself faced the brunt of China’s aggressive intent in its
northern region of Ladakh in June 2020. Tranquility on the long border
that India shares with China was maintained for over two decades.
China’s transgressions shattered this peace.
Fresh options needed
The Chinese intent to rein in India is also evident in its attempts to block New Delhi’s access to several international fora.
For example, China is openly opposed to India’s attempts to gain a
place on the United Nation’s permanent security council. This has
contributed to India seeking fresh strategic options.
The world is becoming more transactional and crisis-driven. Hence the
importance of the recent G7 summit, which manifested the new set of
geo-political engagements that India is developing.
New engagements
The G7 summit was preceded by the India-EU leaders meeting in May,
which opened up new areas of cooperation and demonstrated a new
willingness for both sides to engage.
In March 2021, the first ever Quad Summit was held. The Quad has
become a firm commitment of the Biden administration. And Japan and
Australia are equally committed to balancing the relationship with China
by vigorously developing alternative partnerships.
The Quad
As a result, the Quad has become more robust.
It is no longer just a security dialogue, but has several new aspects
that include vaccine production, the development of new value chains
and technologies, as well as combating climate change.
Economic potential
No doubt that India is still a developing country. It has a host of domestic problems that it must confront.
However, it offers a huge market. And it is willing to engage
positively with the EU and the United States to mutually expand economic
opportunities.
India withdrew from the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership) trade negotiations, due to the Chinese domination of the
group. However, it is engaging afresh with Japan and Australia on the
economic front.
Supply chain resilience
This includes the launching of the Supply Chain Resilient Initiative
(SCRI), which aims to make supply chains more robust and independent of
an overweening dependence on China.
India is also stepping up its engagement with ASEAN nations both as a
block and in several trilateral arrangements. The latter include the
India-Australia-Indonesia and the India-Australia-France dialogues.
Contradictions remain
Notwithstanding many positive developments, several contradictions of
interest remain between India and the G7 nations. The primary cause for
these differences is the differential nature of their economies.
The World Trade Organization will therefore remain a site of rivalry
between them. Multilateral or plurilateral joint communiques often do
not translate into bilateral agreements.
Countries continue to take positions, in their national interest,
regardless of the international commitments they may have undertaken.
G7’s China challenge
G7 countries remain major contributors of overseas development aid,
foreign direct investment, trade and technology. However, they are being
challenged by China through Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
India is an important player in countering this challenge. It is, for
example, looking to join hands with Japan as an investor in Africa
through the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC). It is also developing an
India-EU connectivity partnership.
Bringing value to the table
Finally, it is cooperating with the G7 approach to “Build Back
Better” world, which will hopefully allow more value based
collaborations to build global infrastructure.
Collaborations between the developed countries and India provide
complementarities which reduce costs as well as improve implementation
and delivery of projects. This is something that brings value to the
table.
Conclusion
The post-pandemic period is hence one where India is building on its potential.
Strategically well placed in the Indian Ocean and willing to play a
role in providing maritime security, humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief, India is increasingly seen as a useful and responsible
player to uphold the international order.
This gives India the new strategic options that it has been looking for.