THE world will never miss the absolute positivism in India’s international interaction through worldwide activity of development and diplomacy -- in stark contrast to the language generally used by most other global players for whom economic levers and military fulcrums are major tools of rather raw -- even raucous -- dominance. As Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is on whirlwind tour of several nations, as Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar keeps moving around the world as one of principal messenger of India, as other members of the Indian leadership-combine connect with the world, the peoples of the world realise the power of the absolute positivism of India’s approach. It realises that there is nothing cosmetic about the Indian message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- One Earth One Family -- but only a genuine desire to work closely with one and all for common good.

 

No matter the complexities of chaotic geopolitics, no matter the rabid war-mongering of many countries, no matter the economic arm-twisting of smaller or poorer countries by financial musclemen among nations, the Indian message is clear and categorical -- of One Earth One Future -- which the world does not miss, will never miss. This realisation emerges from a dispassionate assessment of the current global scenario which is getting weighed down by continued fears of senseless conflict. No matter the verbose hyperbole of diplomatic speech-making, India’s simple assurance -- to Global South in particular and the world in general -- of continued, consistent, constant, cultured and careful togetherness comes into a sharp and positive world focus.

 

The world realises that India is most sincerely following the principle and practice of what Dr. Jaishankar once talked of as “non-reciprocal assistance” to the needy nations beyond geopolitical considerations. India does not just talk about it but also follows it in deed -- as was proved during the Covid-19 pandemic when it supplied every possible dose of the vaccine Indian researchers developed to nearly 100 nations around the globe. The world sees a direct implementation of this principle in every move by India across the world. The most positive and practical expression of this came during India’s G-20 chairmanship. India insisted and got it done to include the 21st member -- the African Union -- to the grouping. Thus, in one single move, India ensured that as many as 56 African nations came on board of a powerful international grouping (which otherwise would not have been possible). The no-strings-attached, non-reciprocal assistance and cooperation which India practices on the ground sends out an absolutely positive message that the world never misses. The strings-attached diplomacy of the United States, China and a couple of other leader-countries, therefore, is visible to world in contrast to India’s positivism.

 

True, there are no ‘free lunches’ in the world. India, too, gets whatever returns from its altruistic diplomacy. It also has economic and military give-and-take relations with increasing numbers of countries. Despite that, the nature of India’s relations with every country lack the local-money-lender approach, in which the only idea that operates extraction and extortion of the last penny in the receiver’s pocket -- practised by a few top powers of the world. The world does not miss the message. And so, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi keeps getting highest honours of most countries he pays visit to. There is no other world leader having earned such a distinction. And his refrain is simple: ‘I receive the honour on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians’. Those honours are the marks of recognition the world grants to the absolute positivism of India’s connect with the world -- far removed from dirty exigencies international realpolitik.