‭Dr. S.

Jaishankar, 'Why Bharat Matters'‬‭, a collection of 11 interconnected essays‬

‭A summary - compiled by choi_w00ng‬

‭ ur world is highly connected in many ways such as technology, trade, communication,‬

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‭and travel. What happens in one part of the world can have‬‭ripple effects‬‭that reach far‬
‭and wide. Things happening far away can make life more expensive here in India. Since‬
‭global events can directly affect our everyday lives, hence it is important to stay‬
‭informed about global issues, trends, and developments.‬

‭ he world is going through a churn. China is challenging US dominance, there are‬

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‭economic uncertainties everywhere‬‭, technology is rapidly advancing, and‬‭climate‬
‭change‬‭is a big worry. So the current‬‭geopolitical situation‬‭is experiencing significant‬
‭change and upheaval. There are‬‭post-COVID challenges, geopolitical tensions are‬
‭running hot, and conflicts are ongoing in many parts of the world.‬‭The rivalry‬
‭between major powers for influence and dominance on the global stage is adding to‬
‭geopolitical complexities. Increasing disagreements and hostility between countries are‬
‭raising concerns about Cold War 2.0.‬

‭ midst this state of flux and turmoil in the global arena, what has caught global attention‬
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‭is India's rise as a power. Dr. Jaishankar explains in the book‬‭how India is adjusting to‬
‭the unpredictability and transformations occurring across the globe‬‭. You must‬
‭have noticed that India is‬‭diversifying its diplomatic and economic partnerships‬‭. On‬
‭one hand, India procures S 400 missile defense systems from Russia, and on the other‬
‭hand, it acquires MH 60 helicopters and MQ-9B armed drones from the US. It cracks a‬
‭lucrative oil deal with Russia as well as providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.‬

‭ he‬‭new India doesn't succumb to international pressure‬‭. Rather than taking sides,‬
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‭India focuses on de-escalation and solutions through diplomacy. It collaborates with‬
‭Israel in the defense sector and also invests in Iran's Chabahar port to gain access to‬
‭Central Asia. It participates with the US in QUAD and I2U2 as well as engages with‬
‭Russia and China in BRICS and SCO. This addresses Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's worry‬
‭about India alienating much of the world.‬

I‭nstead of the rigid stance of non-alignment, India now prefers strategic‬

‭autonomy.‬‭Pulling off the‬‭herculean diplomatic balance between the US & Russia and‬
‭de-hyphenation between Israel & Palestine‬‭would give you an idea of how India is‬
‭managing complex international relationships and leveraging opportunities for‬
‭collaboration. By simultaneously engaging with multiple nations, India is deftly‬
‭expanding its‬‭network of alliances‬‭, which, of course, would enable it to navigate‬

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‭ eopolitical uncertainties better.‬‭Act East, Link West, Neighbourhood first, Connect‬
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‭Central Asia - India is pursuing all of those policies simultaneously‬‭.‬

‭ y going beyond traditional confines, India is opening up‬‭new vistas for itself‬‭. This is‬
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‭not India caught in the clutches of a defensive non-aligned posture. This is a new India‬
‭that engages in multiple directions, balances competitive relationships, and shapes the‬
‭global agenda.‬‭What Dr. Jaishankar refers to as "multiple engagements‬
‭simultaneously with major power centers"‬‭, of course keeping national interests‬‭in‬
‭mind.‬

‭ s the‬‭reordering of existing systems‬‭is taking place, India is being seen differently‬

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‭on the world stage. India's global image has gone up, and perception about India is‬
‭changing. A lot of factors contribute to this improved reputation and standing. A nice‬
‭example would be its reputation for being‬‭a trusted collaborator and a credible‬
‭partner.‬‭The world saw how, under the‬‭"Vaccine Maitri initiative"‬‭, India assisted other‬
‭countries by providing millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines. So when you contribute‬
‭to a better world and treat the international community as a family, it obviously changes‬
‭the mindset of the global community.‬

‭ reating the world as a family or the‬‭philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‬‭is‬

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‭nothing but‬‭Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas‬‭being applied to foreign policy. That's the reason‬
‭why India is occupying a greater mind space in today's world and being hailed as‬
‭Vishwa Mitra or "the friend of the world"‬‭. India's push towards the‬‭permanent‬
‭membership of the African Union‬‭was one of the major highlights of‬‭India's grand‬
‭G20 success‬‭. It demonstrates India's commitment to providing a voice to the concerns‬
‭of the Global South.‬

‭ t the same time, India's resolve to advance its interests can be seen in its‬‭swift‬
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‭response in the Sri Lankan economic crisis, strong response to Pakistan via 2016‬
‭surgical strike and 2019 Balakot airstrike, and apt response to Maldivian misadventures‬‭.‬
‭Staying away from the RCEP, doing away with Article 370, and sailing away with‬
‭technology conveys a sense of forward movement with‬‭a nationalistic‬‭outlook.‬

‭ he new‬‭India doesn't shy away from messaging its intentions and projecting its‬
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‭image positively.‬‭It is increasingly promoting its interests by honing its ability to‬
‭practice strategic silence at the right moment and confidently articulating its position‬
‭when needed.‬‭Thus, India is moving ahead with stronger nationalism plus enthusiastic‬
‭internationalism.‬

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‭ here has been a‬‭rebalancing in the weight of players in the world order‬‭. The US‬
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‭remains a superpower, although its dominance has reduced. China aspires to fill the‬
‭power vacuum, while Russia is growing stronger despite sanctions. Amidst all this, India‬
‭is quickly rising to join the ranks of dominant powers. Today,‬‭India is an important‬
‭player in the multipolar world‬‭.‬

‭ he‬‭Indo-Pacific region‬‭is becoming the geopolitical and economic center of gravity in‬
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‭present times. It encompasses the Indian Ocean, the western, and central Pacific‬
‭Ocean. This region is emerging as a‬‭theater of competition due to its vital maritime‬
‭trade routes and natural resources.‬‭India is well-positioned to be a‬‭key actor in‬
‭shaping the strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region due to its geographical‬
‭location, growing economy, rising international profile, military capabilities,‬
‭expanding global footprint, and diplomatic influenc‬‭e.‬

‭ he China issue is also mentioned in the book.‬‭China's disregard for established‬

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‭norms and agreements concerning India's sovereignty and territorial integrity is‬
‭well known‬‭. Steps are being taken to safeguard India's core interests, and India will‬
‭stand its ground firmly when national security is challenged. However, diplomatic‬
‭negotiations will also be pursued to prevent tensions with China from escalating.‬
‭Challenges‬‭persist in the relationship, such as‬‭China's absurd territorial claims, border‬
‭disputes, diplomatic tensions, opposition to India's membership in the NSG, and‬
‭blocking of Indian proposals to sanction terrorists at the UN‬‭. China's construction of‬
‭border villages, transgressions in the Indian Ocean, and violations of India's sovereignty‬
‭under the CPEC, a part of the BRI, is the culmination of failing to counter its rising‬
‭influence over the years. India's response to China's actions across the border includes‬
‭'all-weather connectivity' through infrastructure development and 'fortifying border‬
‭defenses' with robust troop deployments.‬

‭ nother significant development is the‬‭India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor‬

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‭(IMEEC),‬‭which will connect Asia with the Persian Gulf and Europe, serving as a‬
‭counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative. With China's growing maritime power, India‬
‭is expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean. To counter China's control of Gwadar,‬
‭India is leveraging Iran's Chabahar port; and to counter Hambantota, India is developing‬
‭the Colombo port.‬

‭ urther, India is enhancing‬‭diplomatic engagement and security cooperation with‬

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‭regional countries‬‭and offering alternatives to Chinese investments. Initiatives like‬
‭SAGAR will help to mitigate China's growing influence and assertiveness in the region.‬

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‭ echnological advancements‬‭, like artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, and‬
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‭biotechnology, can change the geopolitical power balance. Countries are competing‬
‭with each other in technology. In this digital age, new kinds of conflicts are happening,‬
‭like cyberwarfare. Countries are engaging in "tech wars" to become the best in‬
‭technology and protect national interests. India is recognizing the emerging challenges‬
‭in the digital realm, such as cyber threats and information warfare, and is gearing up to‬
‭compete and succeed in the fast-changing digital world.‬

‭ he book paints a picture of‬‭India ascending the global hierarchy.‬‭The world is‬
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‭getting accustomed to India's rapid economic growth, rising cultural influence, nimble‬
‭diplomacy, and increasing hard and soft power. This aligns with Dr. Ambedkar's vision of‬
‭India first and emphasis on building our own strength. Naturally, all of this increases‬
‭India's capability to assume greater responsibilities and make stronger contributions‬
‭worldwide. India's contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts demonstrate its‬
‭commitment to‬‭promoting global peace, security, and stability‬‭. The world is at a‬
‭critical juncture where significant changes are taking place. At this turning point, India‬
‭occupies more mind space than ever before and has become indispensable in key‬
‭global debates.‬

‭ he book touches upon the‬‭blunders committed in the past‬‭, such as rejecting the‬
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‭UNSC permanent seat, overlooking the China threat, maintaining an extremely idealistic‬
‭and impractical outlook towards the West, taking the Kashmir issue to the UN, and‬
‭neglecting border infrastructure. These are termed legacy complications, and attempts‬
‭are being made to rectify them.‬

‭ part from mentioning‬‭'Mr. Nehru's legacy challenges', the book discusses 'Sardar‬
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‭Patel's legacy' and his efforts towards national integration. Dr. Syama Prasad‬
‭Mookerjee's struggle against balkanization and efforts towards integrating and‬
‭mainstreaming Jammu and Kashmir‬‭are also discussed. We know that the‬
‭abrogation of Article 370 is an important step towards a strong and united India. It‬
‭opens doors for greater socio-economic development and newer opportunities for‬
‭Kashmir. It will prevent external powers from taking advantage of the Kashmir issue by‬
‭perpetuating socio-political divisions within the country. Given our troublesome western‬
‭neighbor, this step will allow the government to carry out effective counterterrorism‬
‭operations and prevent separatist sentiments from thriving. It will open up Kashmir for‬
‭increased investment, economic growth, and development.‬

‭ he West has burnt its fingers by playing the‬‭Islamic card‬‭. In order to diminish the‬
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‭influence of the Soviet Union, the Western world, led by the United States, supported‬
‭various Islamic groups and movements through military aid, funding, and training.‬

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‭ owever, in the long term, this led to unforeseen consequences. Negative‬
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‭repercussions include the rise of extremism, threats to global security, conflicts, and‬
‭humanitarian crises. That's why India firmly stands against terrorism. By exposing‬
‭Pakistan's‬‭cross-border terrorism, engaging in counterterrorism‬‭diplomacy at the‬
‭United Nations, and sending clear messages through surgical and air strikes, India‬
‭effectively communicates its zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.‬

‭ r. Jaishankar also points out the‬‭misuse of freedom of speech in several countries‬‭,‬

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‭including the UK and Canada. The inability to curb the flames of separatism and‬
‭anti-India narratives in foreign countries is being countered, and firm diplomatic‬
‭measures are being taken as and when required.‬

‭ nother major challenge in this age is‬‭disinformation and misrepresentation of‬

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‭facts‬‭. The new India pushes back strongly against downplaying its achievements,‬
‭distorting its history, and promoting anti-India agendas aimed at exploiting societal‬
‭divisions. This is the recognition of the fact that‬‭national security is a priority‬‭.‬‭It is a‬
‭24x7 exercise.‬

I‭ndia's ability to‬‭observe global trends, anticipate, and then respond effectively is‬
‭increasing. Its strengthened capacity and readiness to respond t‬‭o unforeseen‬
‭contingencies owe a lot to its‬‭pragmatic policies and adept diplomacy‬‭. Dr.‬
‭Jaishankar states that a good foreign policy must also make a difference at home. An‬
‭example would be the Vande Bharat mission - the largest recorded evacuation exercise‬
‭in history, successfully bringing millions of Indians back from multiple countries by air,‬
‭sea, and land in extremely stressful situations. This requires skillful negotiation,‬
‭interventions at various levels, and the management of exceptionally complicated‬
‭logistics. What comes in handy is the art of nurturing relationships over the years and‬
‭effectively utilizing them in challenging circumstances. Operations Ganga in Ukraine,‬
‭Devi Shakti in Afghanistan, and Kaveri in Sudan are just a few such examples.‬

I‭ndia is no longer an underperformer; it is the‬‭fastest-growing major economy.‬

‭Currently, it is the 5th largest economy and is heading towards becoming the‬‭third‬
‭largest in the world in a few years. India is the world's largest democracy, with close to‬
‭18% of the global population. India is well-known for its robust electoral system‬‭, which‬
‭lets people participate in the governance process through free and fair elections.‬

‭ ver the years, India has had smooth power transitions between different political‬
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‭groups, showing how‬‭stable and mature its democracy is‬‭. India has a significant‬
‭demographic advantage due to a large population of young people. That means there's‬
‭a big chance for the economy to grow, for new ideas to come up, and for people to work‬

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‭ ore efficiently. The‬‭presence of over 30 million Indians living and working abroad‬
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‭shows how important‬‭the Indian diaspora‬‭is globally. Indian expatriates play a big part‬
‭in the economies of the countries they live in. India encourages new ideas, helps people‬
‭learn new skills, and supports those who want to start their own businesses. It also‬
‭attracts investment from all over the world, which helps India grow economically.‬

‭ he‬‭gap between developed and developing countries is widening‬‭, which deepens‬

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‭the north-south divide in terms of economic opportunities and resources. Developed‬
‭nations often engage in‬‭unfair trade practices and exploit resources‬‭and labor in‬
‭developing countries, making the global inequalities even bigger. India is working to‬
‭reduce risks in the global economy by promoting stability, transparency, and fair‬
‭trade practices‬‭. It is aligning itself with other countries that share similar values and‬
‭interests while preserving its unique identity.‬
‭To mitigate risks and dependencies, there is a‬‭push to diversify supply chains and‬
‭production processes, reducing reliance on just one place.‬

‭ ignificant divisions within societies around the world have led to more social unrest.‬
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‭People‬‭don't trust old institutions as much because they think they've failed or are‬
‭corrupt.‬‭India sees its many cultures, languages, religions, and traditions as strong‬
‭points, showing how it can stay united even with lots of differences. The country is‬
‭moving forward with a clear plan to prioritize its own needs first and not being afraid to‬
‭push its own way of doing things.‬

‭ e're witnessing India becoming stronger as a nation and‬‭experiencing a cultural‬

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‭resurgence.‬‭India is‬‭embracing progressive thinking and leveraging technology‬
‭while also preserving its rich heritage and cultural traditions. It is‬‭promoting traditional‬
‭practices‬‭such as yoga and millets as part of efforts‬‭to promote health, sustainability,‬
‭and cultural heritage‬‭. Epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat are treasure‬‭troves of‬
‭wisdom‬‭. We can learn about 'good governance' or 'Ram Rajya' and 'building a‬
‭rules-based order' from Ramayan, and 'statecraft and diplomacy' from the Mahabharat.‬
‭In every chapter, you would find Dr. Jaishankar referring to events from the Ramayan‬
‭and showing us their application in foreign policy. India celebrated its 75th‬
‭Independence Day in 2021 and will be celebrating its 100th Independence Day in 2046.‬
‭The‬‭25-year period from 2021 to 2046 has been termed the Amrit Kaal.‬‭Efforts are‬
‭being made to ensure that India at 100 becomes better in every field compared to India‬
‭at 75. Boosting India's self-sufficiency under‬‭Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat,‬
‭and embracing the digital age or the 'techade', i‬‭s a step in this direction. A solid‬
‭digital backbone enabled the government to provide‬‭food support to 80 crore peopl‬‭e‬
‭during the pandemic. India's‬‭UPI, or Unified Payments Interface‬‭, has made instant‬

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‭ nd immediate real-time payments possible. It is being used at all levels, from malls to‬
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‭street vendors.‬

‭ dditionally, India is leveraging technology to connect with the world and foster global‬
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‭partnerships, as evidenced by the adoption of UPI by many countries. Moreover, India is‬
‭known as the‬‭"world's pharmacy‬‭" because it plays a significant role in producing‬
‭medicines, especially generic drugs and vaccines.‬

I‭n the book, Dr. Jaishankar lists‬‭several achievements of the government‬‭, such‬‭as‬
‭economic revival after COVID, creating world-class infrastructure under the Gati Shakti‬
‭initiative, transforming digital governance through the JAM Trinity, and rolling out public‬
‭welfare schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala‬
‭scheme, Awas Yojna, Saubhagya scheme, etc.‬

I‭ndia's vast potential and capabilities are increasingly recognized and appreciated on‬
‭the global stage, marking a departure from past perceptions of undervaluation or‬
‭underestimation.‬‭Chandrayaan 3‬‭demonstrated the country's growing prowess in space‬
‭exploration and technology. So India is transitioning towards a‬‭knowledge-based‬
‭economy, emphasizing innovation, education, and technological advancements‬
‭as drivers of economic growth and development.‬

‭ limate change‬‭is the biggest problem today. It brings a lot of challenges like hotter‬
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‭temperatures, extreme weather events, sea level rise, and environmental degradation.‬
‭Fixing climate change‬‭needs everyone to work together, from local places to whole‬
‭countries.‬‭Everyone needs to team up to find answers and ways to deal with climate‬
‭change, sharing what they know and have. While climate change poses challenges, it‬
‭also creates‬‭opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth‬‭. By‬
‭investing in ways to fight climate change, countries can tackle it and make things better‬
‭for the future. India is working hard to switch to‬‭clean and renewable‬‭energy sources.‬

‭ oreign policy‬‭plays a crucial role in advancing a nation's development goals and‬

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‭aspirations. It helps a country connect with other countries, which can open up new‬
‭markets for businesses by negotiating trade agreements and reducing trade barriers.‬
‭Skillful diplomacy and negotiation in foreign policy‬‭can lead to favorable outcomes‬
‭for a country, such as securing beneficial trade deals and gaining access to critical‬
‭resources and technologies. Through foreign collaboration and partnerships‬‭, countries‬
‭can acquire capital investment, advanced technologies, and best practices from‬
‭abroad, which can drive economic growth, innovation, and development.‬‭For‬
‭example, India's development in metro systems, space exploration, and nuclear energy‬
‭has been facilitated by collaboration with foreign partners.‬

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