TMB Report
Imphal: Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. RK Ranjan attended the valedictory session of the 70th professional course for foreign diplomats organised by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Ministry of External Affairs at New Delhi on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Dr RK Ranjan congratulated the SSIFS for organising the courses, which adds to India’s outreach as it goes forward with hope and determination – in a world which is at a crucial juncture.
He said that one of the core principles of India’s foreign policy is to ensure a peaceful, secure and stable world, and it is by keeping in view the perspective that India has been moving ahead to build mutually beneficial relationships with the developing countries. India believes in sharing her knowledge, experiences and expertise with fellow developing countries in the true spirit of South-South Cooperation.
He said that over the past three weeks, we have attempted to give an overview of not just India’s foreign policy and its priorities. We also attempted to showcase what India is and represents in the comity of nations.
The Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the whole world is one family – was among the first precursors of ‘Global Citizenship’ as it is understood today. We place humanity at the centre of global prosperity and cooperation. We believe in responsible international citizenship. India, even at the peak of the pandemic, acted as a responsible member of the international community and took a far-sighted view that we believe will stand us in good stead in the post-pandemic world.
Throughout the centuries, guided by Lord Buddha’s wisdom and Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace and compassion, India’s strength and successes have been a force for global peace, stability and prosperity; an anchor for all round regional and global progress. India therefore, stands for a democratic
and rules-based international order, in which all nations thrive as equals, he said. This year is very important as India is hosting many multilaterals and minilaterals including the G20 summit, SCO etc. I understand that you have had been briefed on India’s G20 priorities in one of the sessions, Ranjan maintained.
He further said that India hosted a virtual summit for Global South where more than 120 countries participated, under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”, in January. We propose to carry forth the voices coming out of that summit, and give them a space during our G20 Presidency. In the last few years, the Indian objective has also been to bring its capacities together for global good, as a net-security provider in the region which is a contributor to connectivity, which is firm in dealing with challenges like terrorism and which addresses global issues like climate change.
In India, we see ourselves both as a source of stability and a key contributor to growth and security in
the region. This regional security architecture must be open, transparent, balanced, inclusive, and promote dialogue and predictable behavior rooted in international norms and respect for sovereignty. For India,
this has meant a path of international engagement focused on rebuilding connectivity – with our immediate and extended neighbourhood; shaping relationships networked with India’s economic priorities; building development partnerships globally and creating narratives on global challenges, he maintained.
