The veteran diplomat discusses India’s increasingly assertive yet pragmatic foreign policy.
“We have come a long way from non-alignment to multi-alignment,” he reflected. “Today, India engages with all major powers based on national interest, not ideological alignment.”
Q: How has India’s role evolved?
“Significantly. We’re now seen as a stabilizing force. Our G20 presidency was widely appreciated. Our Voice of the Global South initiative gave developing nations a platform. Our humanitarian responses — vaccine maitri, earthquake relief, evacuations — have built tremendous goodwill.”
Q: What are the main challenges?
“Balancing competing relationships — US-Russia, China-West, Israel-Palestine. Managing diaspora interests. And projecting power without imperial ambition.”
Q: What’s the way forward?
“Sustained engagement. Diplomatic talent. Economic strength. And crucially, soft power — our democracy, culture, and pluralism are our greatest assets internationally.”