25 September 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Tech diplomacy 4.0

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 13)

Topic: GS2– International Relations

Context:

The article discusses the growing importance of technological cooperation in India’s foreign relations, particularly with the United States, highlighting historical phases, challenges, and the current momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

What is meant by tech diplomacy?

• Tech diplomacy refers to the strategic use of technology and digital diplomacy to foster international relations, promote cooperation, and address global challenges.
• It involves leveraging technology as a tool for diplomacy, enabling countries to engage with each other, build alliances, and shape the global technology landscape.

Technology at the Heart of Modi’s US Visit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States underscored the centrality of technology in India’s bilateral relations with the US.
• Whether it was discussions with President Joe Biden, the Quad summit, meetings with CEOs, or his address at the United Nations Summit of the Future, technology featured prominently.
• A wide range of initiatives, from semiconductors to artificial intelligence and biotechnology to quantum computing, were addressed.
• These discussions highlight both civilian and military applications, which are key to India’s efforts to modernize its technological and industrial base.

Historical Context of India’s Technology Diplomacy

• India’s focus on technological cooperation is not new. Throughout the nation’s post-independence history, there have been multiple phases where technology took center stage.
• However, previous phases were marked by limited success due to internal and external factors. For instance, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha made significant strides in nuclear and space technologies in the 1950s.
• However, by the 1970s, a combination of economic populism, anti-Americanism, and increasing bureaucratization stalled progress.
• The nonproliferation regime and India’s drift towards the Soviet Union also limited its technology diplomacy efforts with the West.

Phases of Technological Cooperation: Missed Opportunities and Rebuilding

• India’s early efforts at technology diplomacy, while initially promising, faltered over time. In the 1970s, India’s restrictive policies, such as making it difficult for companies like IBM to operate in the country, combined with a lack of interest in areas like semiconductors, resulted in opportunities lost to countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
• The exodus of Indian talent to the US, seeking better opportunities in technological fields, further exacerbated this issue.
• Although Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sought to revive technological collaboration in the 1980s, especially in areas like telecom and computing, bureaucratic resistance and international nonproliferation restrictions continued to be major roadblocks.

The Civil Nuclear Initiative and the Changing Dynamics

• The nuclear tests of 1998, which led to US sanctions, paradoxically opened the door for a long-overdue reconciliation between India and the United States.
• The Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments capitalized on this, leading to the India-US civil nuclear deal in 2005.
• However, divisions within India’s political class and the scientific bureaucracy hampered the full realization of this opportunity. Despite these challenges, the groundwork was laid for deeper technological cooperation.

Modi’s Approach and the Fourth Phase of Technology Diplomacy

• Under the Modi government, India’s technology diplomacy entered a new and more dynamic phase. From 2014 onwards, the government prioritized digital and green technologies, while also focusing on emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
• These efforts have aligned with the global technological revolution, and in Modi’s second and third terms, these initiatives gained additional momentum.
• The growing recognition of China’s geopolitical challenges in Washington, coupled with India’s strategic interests, has driven deeper US-India cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, as evidenced by the iCET initiative.

The Geopolitical and Economic Importance of the US-India Technological Partnership

• The strategic convergence between India and the US is shaped by shared geopolitical goals, particularly in balancing China’s influence in Asia.
• This partnership also seeks to reduce global economic dependence on China by building coalitions with like-minded nations.
• The longstanding brain drain of Indian talent to the US, which began in the late 1960s, has now evolved into a technological bridge between the two nations, further cementing their collaboration in high-tech sectors.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for India’s Technology Diplomacy

• While the fourth phase of India’s technology diplomacy is marked by significant international opportunities, the country must address internal challenges to fully realize its potential.
• Reforming the bureaucratic and scientific sectors is crucial to overcoming the resistance that has historically hindered technological progress.
• Without these internal reforms, the gains made through international cooperation may yield suboptimal results, limiting India’s ability to fully capitalize on its growing technological capabilities.

Benefits and Challenges of digital diplomacy

What are the benefits of digital diplomacy for India?  Increased reach and engagement: Connecting with a wider audience and building relationships globally. Enhanced communication and transparency: Providing timely information and fostering trust. Cost-effective diplomacy: Reaching audiences without the need for expensive travel and events. Promoting India’s soft power: Showcasing its culture, values, and strengths to the world.   What are the challenges of digital diplomacy for India? Misinformation and disinformation: Dealing with fake news and propaganda online. Cybersecurity threats: Protecting sensitive information and systems from attacks. Digital divide: Ensuring equal access to digital tools and platforms for all citizens. Measuring impact: Evaluating the effectiveness of digital diplomacy initiatives.

PYQ: “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self- esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2019)

Practice Question:  Discuss the evolution of India’s technology diplomacy, highlighting the key phases, challenges, and the role of recent advancements in shaping India’s strategic partnerships, particularly with the United States. (250 words/15 m)

2. An Indian compass for future     

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 13)

Topic: GS2– International Relations

Context:

The article discusses India’s leadership and contributions to global governance and multilateral reform, particularly through its civilizational ethos and active role in international platforms like the UN Summit on the Future.

India’s Civilizational Heritage and Global Leadership

• India’s ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—reflects an unbroken civilizational ethos. This guiding principle deeply influenced India’s G20 presidency under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting India’s commitment to a global future based on unity and cooperation.
• As the world’s largest democracy with the largest youth population, India embodies both a technologically advanced and forward-looking nation. Intergenerational solidarity, deeply ingrained in Indian culture, places the country at the forefront of global efforts to envision a harmonious future for humanity.
• India’s role in the Pact for the Future (PFF), the Declaration on Future Generations (DFG), and the Global Digital Compact (GDC)—adopted at the UN Summit on the Future—reflects its dedication to shaping global agendas for progress and sustainability.

India’s Role at the Summit of the Future

• At the UN Summit, Prime Minister Modi represented India as a Vishvamitra (friend of the world), emphasizing human-centric development and showcasing India’s progress in sustainable development goals (SDGs), digital public infrastructure (DPI), and solar energy.
• Modi amplified the message of the G20 New Delhi Declaration (NDLD), reinforcing India’s voice as a champion of the Global South. He called for the avoidance of conflict and addressed emerging threats such as terrorism, cyber warfare, and space security.
• PM Modi underscored the need for reform in global governance, stressing that “global action must match global ambition.”

Global Governance and Emerging Challenges

• The Summit came against the backdrop of growing crises in global governance. The UN Secretary-General admitted that existing multilateral institutions, designed in the 20th century, are unable to cope with today’s challenges.
• Conflicts like NATO-Ukraine, the West vs China cold war, and the Gaza war exemplify the gridlock in global governance. These crises, along with an ongoing rearmament race, raise fears of nuclear escalation.
• The UN’s inability to mediate or resolve these conflicts, combined with the dysfunction of multilateral institutions, poses significant risks to global stability.
• Issues such as terrorism, climate change, and failure to achieve SDG targets remain major challenges, aggravated by underfunded and unresponsive multilateral financial institutions (MFIs).

Global Digital Compact and India’s Leadership

• The Global Digital Compact is a significant normative outcome of the Summit, taking forward India’s G20 agenda to bridge the global digital divide and foster a digital economy.
• India’s emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) aligns with global efforts to achieve SDGs. Moreover, the establishment of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance represents a progressive step toward responsible technology governance.
• India’s proactive engagement in shaping the digital future underscores its leadership role in global digital transformation.

Reforming Multilateral Institutions and Counterterrorism

• The Summit reaffirmed commitments to reform multilateral institutions, particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), to make it more representative and inclusive.
• While there were broad agreements on expanding UNSC membership—especially for Africa—efforts were hindered by resistance from certain global powers, notably the P5.
• However, the summit recognized the need to address terrorism comprehensively. India’s strong stance against terrorism was reflected in the commitment to a future free from terrorism and extremism, aligning with India’s long-standing advocacy for a robust Convention against Terrorism.

The Path Forward: Global Cooperation and Solidarity

• The Summit was described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to rebuild trust in multilateralism and reform outdated frameworks.
• The Pact for the Future (PFF) outlined 58 actions to address global public goods, ranging from conflict prevention to climate action and financing.
• However, while bold ambitions were laid out, the summit lacked concrete steps on scaling up financing, especially for developing countries. India’s advocacy for substantial SDG and climate finance echoed this gap, calling for global investments to transition from billions to trillions.
• The summit served as a platform for nations to envision future challenges and work collaboratively to navigate them.

Conclusion: One Earth, One Family

• The Summit and its outcomes, though imperfect, provided a blueprint for collective global action.
• India’s contributions, grounded in its civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and its leadership on digital and sustainable development, are central to this global vision.
• As the world faces unprecedented challenges, rising above narrow interests and embracing a unified global approach will be critical for ensuring a secure and sustainable future.
• The spirit of the summit is captured in the Sanskrit phrase “Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavati”—you become what you believe—emphasizing that global change starts with belief and collective action.

What are the Factors Leading to India’s Global Rise?

Economic Boom:  The World Bank forecasts India’s output growth to reach 7.5% in FY24, driven by resilient activity in services and industry This economic strength translates to global influence. For instance, Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services are helding significant global presence. Strong economy also attracts higher investments as well. Strategic Partnerships and Alliances: India has actively pursued strategic partnerships and alliances with major powers, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the United States, Japan, and Australia. These partnerships have helped India counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and enhance its global standing. Additionally, India’s participation in multilateral forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has strengthened its global presence. India’s emergence as a Voice of the Global South has propelled it into a leadership position on the global stage. It is showcased through inclusion of the African Union in India’s G20 presidency, and swift passage of G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration which was considered hard to achieve. Rising Military Capabilities:  India has steadily modernized, indigenised and strengthened its military capabilities, making it a formidable force in the region and beyond. INS Sahyadri, LCA Tejas and INS Vikrant are prime examples of India’s recently built military capabilities. India recently delivered the first batch of BrahMos Missile to the Philippines, giving a push to defense diplomacy. Strategic Autonomy:  India’s strategy of non-alignment and reformed multilateralism, such as abstaining from voting against Russia in the UNGA and providing humanitarian support to Israel while maintaining a clear diplomatic stance with Palestine, reflects its commitment to strategic autonomy and being globally applauded. India also subscribed to India First Policy that is visible in its purchase of Russian crude oil despite western apprehensions, keeping strategic interest on top. Technological Prowess:  India’s advancements in various fields of technology, particularly in information technology (IT), space exploration, and renewable energy, have played a crucial role in its global ascent. India’s recent achievements with Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1 Mission highlight its capabilities in the space sector. Additionally, India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance demonstrates its commitment to promoting renewable energy. Soft Power and Cultural Influence:  India’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant democracy, and thriving diaspora have contributed to its soft power globally. Indian cinema, cuisine, yoga, and spirituality have found widespread appeal across the world.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of India’s civilizational ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” in shaping its leadership role on global platforms like the G20 and the UN. How does India’s emphasis on multilateral reforms and digital public infrastructure contribute to addressing global challenges in the 21st century?(250 words/15 m)