Dr. Arvind Kumar*
India serves as a strategic partner and also as a regional player in the modern geopolitics of the contemporary world. This role takes importance as it questions the leadership role of new economies at the international levels such as G20 and BRICS. It maintains complex relations with major powers-the United States, Russia, and China by balancing competition and cooperation. The Indo-Pacific strategy again puts a focus on maritime security with partnerships, especially with Japan and Australia, against assertive China. The new foundation of Indian foreign policy is relevant – aspirations for an economically and ecologically more balanced international order, which manifests with a particular emphasis on climate change and digital governance. India’s new foreign policy will be in pursuit of its greater international standing while allaying regional anxieties and economic growth. This is adequately shown by India’s participation during the recently held QUAD Summit and the Global Future Summit.
India and the QUAD Summit
India has been an important country at the newly held QUAD Summit 2024 as the country is committed to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. While buttressing India’s “Act East” policy that demands that East Asian relationships are to be strengthened at the earliest, PM Narendra Modi said:. US, Australia, Japan, and India will move further to Wilmington, Delaware to discuss all global matters with one another in multiple ways. This has been valued within Indian leadership in the Quad in terms of health security, food security, clean energy, and also quality infrastructure. Besides these agreements, the Quad leaders said that they initiated new initiatives in pandemics, natural calamities, maritime security, and cyber security with much involvement from India. India has also been deemed to be in a position to generate much more in terms of mobilization and creation of high-standard physical as well as digital infrastructure. Interparliamentary exchanges were also deepened, and efforts toward stakeholder engagement for this objective were made. For this purpose, India ensured that financing to Quad priorities in the Indo-Pacific region was strong. US President Joe Biden appreciated the historic visit to Ukraine made by Prime Minister Modi with the message of peace. The leaders of the Quad thought that for the partners to get the maximum benefit of such cooperation, they must take a cumulative approach and work together with the help of India.
The Quad Summit 2024 also strongly focused on economic cooperation among the member states. As a very fast-growing economy, India became a critical partner in driving the regional economic growth engine. Leaders were discussing ways to increase the resilience of supply chains, and India said that such supply chains must be diversified and not dependent on any country alone. This aligns perfectly with India’s overall momentum in self-reliance and capacity building of its manufacturing sector under the “Make in India” initiative. At the technology talk, India showed its work in the development areas of digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. On emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5G networks, the leadership agreed to cooperate among themselves, albeit with Indian expertise and innovation in those spheres. Leaders even clapped over climate change, wherein India reiterates its commitment towards net zero by 2070 and energises the region of renewables. Cooperation on future pledges of climate was assured to be placed in development as well as green technologies.
Besides, the Quad Summit 2024 was concerned with people-to-people ties. It is proposed that educational exchanges, cultural programs, and tourism among member countries be enhanced. Such initiatives aim to encourage mutual understanding and strengthen bonds between peoples of the Quad nations. Overall, active participation and leadership in the Quad Summit 2024 by India demonstrate its commitment to regional stability, economic prosperity, technological advancement, and sustainable development. These actions at the summit therefore are aimed at causing ripples in the region of the Indo-Pacific as well as making headlines anywhere in the world.
India and Global Future Summit
Under the United Nations, the Global Future Summit 2024 holds a historical relevance that appeals to redress the world’s most significant challenges with a sustainable future. The event was held at the UN Headquarters in New York, where global leaders, policymakers, and experts converged to deliberate and strategize on several different issues including climate change, digital transformation, and world peace. One of the most salient outcomes of the summit is the acceptance of what has been called the “Pact for the Future,” which is the action-oriented framework for advancing international cooperation to bestow on future generations optimum conditions for well-being. The summit emphasized that multilateralism and inclusive governance were required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals so that they are attained by 2030. So, it emphasized innovative solutions and collaborative actions to salvage the world from a global crisis, but it recommitted itself to making the world a just, resilient, and responsive place for humanity.
A highly significant and multi-dimensional role was played by India at the Global Future Summit 2024 held under the auspices of the United Nations in New York; participation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated that India was indeed committed to contributing toward the surmounting of global challenges while forging a sustainable future for the world. India had again taken a lead-through proud acknowledgement at the summit of setting aggressive targets for renewable energy and committed to net zero by 2070. The Prime Minister for the second successive year reaffirmed the commitment of the country emphatically to being adherent to the Paris Agreement and realized that international cooperation would be of crucial importance in adequately responding to this threat from climate change. Examples of successful globally concerted efforts included some of the initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) itself which was developed to fulfil goals of clean energy and sustainable development.
Along with climate action, digital transformation and technologies have been at the centre of India’s focus. The Summit presented an excellent opportunity for India to display the progress in the growth of digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. India promoted responsible and inclusive digital development with the highest requirement in standards and cooperation in the creation of the fruits of technology while creating mechanisms to reduce risks. The effort taken on digital literacy as well as bridging the digital divide is done by the country, which underlines India’s role in giving direction to an inclusive digital future.
India also plays a great role globally in the area of peace and security, as Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts towards historic visits to regions struck by conflict and advocating peaceful resolutions give global leaders reasons to appreciate them. The support the United Nations gave India in terms of peace-keeping missions among others that benefit international law and humanitarian efforts were appreciated. The summation also gave India the chance to reiterate its demands for reforms within global governance structures that include, among others, the structures at the United Nations Security Council so that these are better equipped to reflect current geopolitical realities and that their composition is more equitable.
Additionally, India wanted economic cooperation and sustainable development. The dialogue of the summit in the summit involved increasing supply chain resilience, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Other efforts by India in its lines of work are Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and the National Food Security Act, examples of which are towards achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. Such undertakings toward sustainable living in the country and its mantle as a global leader in the Global South would be massive strides towards realizing global development goals. Overall, India’s energetic and committed engagement at the Global Future Summit 2024 served as an assertion of its commitment to international leadership and cooperation. This season, every one of these countries brought with them the sense of importance their work means in all matters: climate action, digital transformation, peace and security, and sustainable development toward building a more equitable and resilient future for all.
India’s place in today’s global geopolitics has become of grave importance, making it so eager to participate in both the QUAD Summit 2024 and the Global Future Summit 2024. First and foremost, India showed an intention to adhere to the free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Thus, it only adds strength to its “Act East” policy through the promotion of regional security, prosperity, and connectivity through sustained consultation, coordination, and cooperation among the participating nations. This strategic engagement is an effort by India toward consolidation of relations with the countries of East Asia and does present a balance to China’s growing footprint on the continent. Leadership by India in areas of health security, food security, clean energy, and quality infrastructure assumes great importance as it indicates a capability to contribute toward regional stability and prosperity.
The Global Future Summit has highlighted India’s role on the global level, especially when climate action and digital transformation are considered in the pursuit of global peace. India has committed to reducing net-zero emissions for 2070 with aggressive renewable targets. Elements of digital development advanced by the country include proper cybersecurity and digitization of infrastructure, which allows India to lead in cutting-edge technological innovation while also embracing diplomacy and taking part in the UN peacekeeping missions that put India forward as a strong pillar in maintaining peace and security in the world.
The Way Forward
India’s participation reflects a very diversified approach to world problems, fairly enough meeting regional interests but crossing the boundary into more general international aims. Through economic cooperation, sustainable development, and technological progress, India is enriching not only its strategic position but also taking a step forward in getting closer to a more equitable and resilient global order. The dual focus on regional and global issues underlines the changing role of India as a prime geopolitical player with the possibility of writing the future of international relations through coordination and leadership. The summit of the future discussing number of topics but barely mentioning water is the drawback which the water community should highlight. The 2030 Agenda, along with other global goals and commitments, cannot be realized without recognizing the critical role of water governance. This involves the equitable distribution of water resources for diverse purposes—health, energy, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems—while preventing conflicts at local, national, and transboundary levels. Effective water governance is also key to mitigating the severe impacts of climate change on both people and the planet. It serves as the “blue thread” that ties together and accelerates the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, ensuring greater impact.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
