In an interview, while contesting for the Prime-Ministership, PM Modi was asked about global pressure on India. To which he remarked that India’s 125 crore population can create pressure on the world any day. Looks like the same has come to fruition as the last 100 days show that the world is looking towards India to solve its problems. Problems like Russia-Ukraine crisis, worldwide food shortage, and supply chains issue among others have highlighted how India can really solve problems apart from only talking about problems like the West.
PM Modi’s right choices
In his first term PM Modi brought in the retired Director of IB, Ajit Doval as his National Security Advisor. Ajit Doval’s appointment was primarily focused on changing India’s meek stand on National Security and dossier diplomacy of past governments. Also, the retaining of Doval as NSA for the second time shows that he is performing his duty magnificently.
The second name in his cabinet was Late Sushma Swaraj. She was appointed as the External Affairs Minister and the foreign policy of India was changed drastically. The proactive tone of foreign relations of India you see today is set by Sushma Swaraj in her term as EAM.
PM Modi during his second term also brought in the technocrat S Jaishankar as External Affairs Minister. After the appointment of S Jaishankar as EAM the foreign policy of India catapulted to a whole new level. S Jaishankar asserted India’s authority on the world which it deserved from a long time, but wasn’t able to claim after Indira and Vajpayee era.
The aforementioned appointment choices of PM Modi for these crucial posts turned out to be phenomenal. The hard work of the appointed people has come to fruition as the vision of PM Modi of India creating pressure on the world instead of facing it has become a reality.
How India rose on the world stage in last 100 Days
In the last 100 days India has emerged as a Global power which can solve problems the ‘biggies’ are afraid to even touch. Be it Ukraine-Russia crisis, Afghanistan crisis, world food shortage, geopolitical complexities, medicine shortage, supply chain disruption or any other major problem, the world is looking towards India.
Ukraine-Russia Crisis
The war between Ukraine and Russia started approximately 100 days ago and Ukraine has already started requesting India for help in rebuilding Ukraine after the war is over. It is the same Ukraine which took a stand opposite India on the Kashmir Issue.
During the Ukraine-Russia conflict India has emerged as a global powerhouse as both USA and Russia made every effort to sway India to their side. Amidst all this pressure, India stood firm on its ground and set an example by maintaining an independent foreign policy. India made it clear to the world that its foreign policy will be India centric and it will not take any sides.
The biggest task for India in the Ukraine-Russia war was taking out its medical students out of Ukraine, who were stuck in the crossfire. Prior to the war, the students studying in Ukraine were advised by the Indian government to come out of Ukraine. As most of the students didn’t take the multiple advisories seriously, this mammoth task of taking out over 20,000 students from Ukraine was undertaken by Indian Government successfully.
It was the USA which tried to arm-twist India for its independent foreign relations by saying that USA is keeping a watch on Human Rights Issue of India, and also by mentioning the CAATSA to threaten India with sanctions. EAM S Jaishankar gave them a rebuttal then and there as he stated, “It is their legislation (CAATSA) and whatever has to be done has to be done has to be done by them,…” By saying this he declared that India will pursue its interests and will not be intimidated by any pressure tactics.
Also, on the Human Rights issue and clearing the confusion of USA of being the big brother in India-USA relations he said, “People are entitled to have views about us. We also are entitled to have views about their lobbies and vote banks. We will not be reticent. We also have views on other people’s human rights, particularly when it pertains to our community,…”
India also abstained from many UN resolutions condemning Russia, which made it clear that India will not bow down to the pressure politics of the West. Also, after the ban on Russia from trading in Dollars, India did the trade with Russia through Rupee-Ruble system. India also exported medicines, wheat and other essential items to Russia in the times of need which stated that India will stand with those who helped India in the times of need. (India-Pakistan war, 1971)
Food and medicine shortage around the world
As reported by TFI, According to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in January 2022, India’s merchandise exports were worth $34.06 Billion. It was a remarkable increase of 23.69 per cent, over $27.54 billion in January 2021. This was in line with India’s overall performance during FY 2022. In FY 2022, India surpassed $400 Billion in exports, which is higher than the five-year average of $300 Billion, before the pandemic hit global trade.
India has expanded its aiding branches from food to vaccines. India became the saviour during COVID-19 crisis by providing its vaccines to the world. India is ranked as the largest producer of vaccines in the world. The Modi government took on the responsibility of inoculating the world through a humanitarian initiative called “Vaccine Maitri”. This initiative drew a vast swathe of praise from leaders all around the world.
Read more: India begins export of vaccines after vaccinating a mammoth 81 Crore Indians
India is growing at a record pace whether economically or at the world stage. The world is clear that India is a country which cannot be ignored or the cost will be dire. It has also emerged as a viable option which can be trusted, in place of the undependable USA or the greedy China. India is not just growing because of circumstances but it is growing because it has the potential of growing, and its potential has been utilised by a capable statesman like PM Modi.
