GIST of India Year Book 2024

Chapter-6 : India and the World

Short Notes or Revision Notes 

India’s Successful Foreign Policy

• Focus on Outcomes: MEA pursued pragmatic and results-oriented foreign policy.
• Stronger Partnerships: Enhanced bilateral, regional, and multilateral ties.
• Global Leadership: India’s rise on the world stage backed by domestic reforms.
  • G-20 Presidency in 2023 showcased leadership.
• Operational Successes:
  • Evacuated 4,000 people in Operation Kaveri (Sudan).
  • Hosted SCO Summit in 2023 (Varanasi named SCO tourism capital).
• Cultural Diplomacy:
  • UNESCO recognition for Hoysalas and Santiniketan.
  • World Hindi Conference in Fiji (50+ countries).
• G-20 Presidency Highlights:
  • Focused on global challenges (e.g., Mission LiFE).
  • Advocated for inclusive development and reformed multilateralism.
  • Hosted Summit in New Delhi (32 leaders participated).
  • Landmark Leaders’ Summit Declaration.
  • Expanded G20 to include African Union.
  • Initiated key projects (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Global Biofuels Alliance).

India’s Foreign Policy Priorities

• Neighbourhood First: Prioritizes relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
  • Focuses on development, trade, security, and infrastructure projects.
• Key Regional Partnerships:
  • Strong ties with Bhutan and Nepal (infrastructure, energy).
  • Growing trade and cooperation with Bangladesh (India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline).
  • Maritime security and development assistance to Maldives.
  • Development projects and humanitarian aid for Myanmar.
• Other Important Relations:
  • Strategic partnership with the United States, Russia, Japan, and Australia.
  • Growing ties with ASEAN, Gulf countries, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Strong relationship with Canada (economic and people-to-people linkages).
  • Increased engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean (bilateral meetings, CELAC Summit).

India on the World Stage

• Active Role in International Organizations:
  • Advocates for multilateralism and UNSC reforms.
  • Launched Mission LiFE for environmental sustainability.
  • Contributes to International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
• Largest Troop Contributor to UN Peacekeeping.
• Combating Climate Change:
  • Ambitious commitments and initiatives like International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance.
• Counter-Terrorism Efforts:
  • Participation in international forums (CICA) and focus during G20 Presidency.
• Disarmament and International Security:
  • Supports universal disarmament and chairs Wassenaar Arrangement.
• Cyber Diplomacy:
  • Active in cyber dialogues and a nodal point for cyber security discussions.
• Economic Diplomacy:
  • Promotes foreign investment, trade, and investment treaty negotiations.
• Development Partnership:
  • Expands development assistance through projects, grants, and capacity building.
  • Engages in triangular cooperation across various sectors.