General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff, lauded India’s position in the world, stating that the international community recognises India’s rise as a responsible power and as a “non-threatening” force.
He emphasised that safeguarding India’s national interests is largely dependent on its foreign policy. COAS Pande said todaythis in a keynote address at IIM Nagpur.
India’s rising stature carries with it new obligations, possibilities, and challenges. As the country’s influence grows, some will question it, some will contest it, and some will want to compete. As a country, we must make sure that our interests come first.
Additionally, he stated that India had lead the initiative in supporting campaigns aimed at resolving global issues.
“Our foreign policy and diplomatic pursuits are playing a vital role in securing India’s interests. Our stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a fine example of how we stood steadfast and clear in addressing legitimate concerns based on national interest. The country has taken lead in championing initiatives for finding solutions to global problems in ventures such as the International Solar Alliance, the Global Bio Fuel Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Vaccine Maitri,” the Army Chief said.
“Consequently, today India has a voice on the world stage that is distinct, rooted in Indian ethos and effective in articulating the concerns of the Global South,” he noted.
Additionally, he emphasised how India handled the pandemic’s economic downturns and, subsequently, the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.
“Our economic growth is on a firm footing. Unlike many nations, we were able to brave the economic downturns of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict based on an agile, resilient and consumption-driven economy,”
“An aspirational demographic dividend, cost advantage, accruing from the vast human capital, policy reforms, skilling initiatives, infrastructure investment, digital potential, frontline entrepreneurship, the promise of being a reliable supply chain stakeholder and our commitment to sustainable development have made us today the fifth largest economy in the world and the fastest-growing major economy,” the COAS added.
The Army Chief continued his remarks about the Indo-Pacific area by stating that policy measures and engagement in multiple regional strategic frameworks indicate India’s “stakeholdership” in the area.
“Our progression towards being a ‘strong nation’ militarily needs to be achieved by enhancing our defence capability through self-reliance. A fine example of this need can be seen in the Indo-Pacific region, which has emerged as the pivotal theatre in the contemporary geo-strategic canvas. India’s strategic location here propels it to be a key player in this region’s discourse,” he said.
“Our stakeholdership in the region finds reflection in our policy initiatives and participation in various regional strategic frameworks, be it BIMSTEC, IORA, India-ASEAN engagements, the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative, SAGAR, QUAD and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, to name a few,” he said further.
The Army Chief also provided insight into how India successfully concluded its G20 presidency.
The COAS said, “The successful conduct of the G20 meet demonstrated India’s ability to bridge divides and achieve consensus on some very knotty issues.”
Under the Indian Presidency, the G20 Summit was held in September at the recently constructed Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
During his inaugural address at the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the African Union, chaired by Azali Assoumani, to join the G20 as a permanent member.
“With everyone’s approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his address.
With fifty-five member states spread over the African continent, the African Union is a continental union. Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the African Union be added to the G20.
