“India is gaining from the arc of prosperity”

Whichever way one looks at it, India?s role on the global stage in this century only looks to grow substantially. How well prepared it is for the role is what long-serving diplomat Rajiv Sikri looks at in his new book, Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India?s Foreign Policy. And there are a number of pressing issues, which include economic diplomacy, energy security, the interaction between defence and diplomacy and many others oft overlooked ones, he explains to Suman Tarafdar. Excerpts

In an increasingly complex world, what are the top priorities and challenges for India vis-?-vis its equations with the rest of the world? Will it be able to balance out all the ?arcs? that it is part of or surrounded by?

Undoubtedly India?s foremost foreign policy challenge and priority is its immediate neighbourhood. A second challenge before India is how to manage the rise of China, whose steadily growing military and economic strength has led it to flex muscles. Contrary to some hopeful trends in bilateral relations till about three years ago, there is now a revival of mistrust and suspicion between India and China. Managing relationships with big powers such as the United States and Russia will also require considerable skill. We should not deviate from an independent foreign policy on which there is a national consensus.

As for the ?arcs? surrounding India, it is not a question of balancing them, but of following policies that enable us to take advantage of or avert the dangers from these arcs. India is indeed taking advantage of the ?arc of prosperity? to India?s east. India?s political interaction, economic integration and defence cooperation with the East Asian countries has dramatically grown. The ?arc of communications? across the northern Indian Ocean requires that India be vigilant about maritime security and give more resources and attention to the development of India?s navy and coast guard. India?s continued dependence on imported energy necessitates that India pays more attention to relationships with countries across which the ?arc of energy? extends. Finally, there is the ?arc of instability? on India?s western doorstep extending up to the Mediterranean. I believe India must have a pro-active and constructive policy, including on security issues, towards Afghanistan, Iran, the Gulf region, Israel and Palestine since instability and tension in this region deeply affects India.

As Af-Pak emerges as one of the top global crisis flashpoints, how should India?s reactions be dictated?

Afghanistan has been a trouble spot for close to three decades, ever since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The difference now is that US President Barack Obama is giving it much higher priority in his foreign policy because the US strategy in Afghanistan since 9/11 has failed to either stabilise Afghanistan or root out al-Qaeda. There remains tremendous goodwill for India among Afghans. We should continue this policy. But India should be wary of getting militarily involved in Afghanistan.

In the long term, India has to work for reconnecting Afghanistan economically to India. Restoring these traditional links could radically transform Afghanistan?s economy through vastly expanded trade and tourism with the large Indian market rather than the current reliance on narcotics trade. Politically, all of Afghanistan?s neighbours could agree that Afghanistan should be a neutral country, like Switzerland in Europe.

Will energy, climate and food security issues determine foreign policy, even in the short term, for many countries such as India?

Water, food and energy are issues of survival for every country. Countries can realistically think of expanding their influence only once these are assured. In addition to ensuring a favourable external environment for the country?s development, India?s foreign policy has to give high priority to these issues.

Despite many shortcomings, the Indus Waters Treaty and the Ganga Waters Treaty have been reasonably successful agreements. There is practically no dialogue with China, which presently controls Tibet, on China?s plans for Tibet?s development. We should be aware that looming water shortages carry the potential of serious inter-state conflicts. Although memories of the time when India was a major importer of foodgrains have faded, India just cannot take chances with its food security. It is the quest for food security that has led India to be absolutely firm in the WTO negotiations about not exposing its agriculture sector to heavily subsidised foodgrains imports from abroad. I don?t see that changing.

India is energy-deficient, especially in oil and gas, and will remain so. Over the last decade or so, energy security issues have figured prominently in India?s foreign policy priorities. Look at the amount of time and attention that was given by the Government to the India-US nuclear deal whose stated rationale is the country?s energy security.

Can and should foreign policy in India go beyond just the government?s involvement? Is there a greater need to push ?public diplomacy??

Globalisation and the revolution in information and communication technologies have changed the character of foreign policy for all countries, including India. No longer is foreign policy the exclusive preserve of diplomats and officialdom. Economic liberalisation has raised the stakes and influence of the private sector in foreign affairs. As foreign policy issues require understanding and support among multiple stakeholders in India ? be it the political class, corporate leaders, journalists, academics or other sections of the intelligentsia ? there is need for wider public discussion and deeper understanding of foreign policy issues within India, which this book hopes to stimulate an informed debate on.

?Public diplomacy? is essential in open societies. Foreign policy will be successful only when it can be seen that it makes a difference to the lives of people. Many key domestic and foreign policy issues are intertwined. The people of those Indian states that border foreign countries realise that their development and security depend on India?s relations with neighbouring countries.

How do PIOs figure in India?s foreign policy? Can they be an agent in the future?

The affluent and successful community of NRIs and PIOs in the West has of late acquired considerable influence in shaping and executing India?s foreign policy. They play an important role as a bridge between India and their country of abode, and have helped to transform the image of India from a land of snake charmers to one of savvy techies. They played an active and crucial role in lobbying for the US Congressional support for the India-US nuclear deal. Regrettably, sometimes, as in the case of the Khalistan movement, NRIs and PIOs can also create security problems for India.

As India develops, we must have focused policies that encourage NRIs and PIOs to make available their skills, talent and money to create capabilities that benefit India.

At the same time, India should not forget its blue-collar workers abroad, about 5 million of them, mostly in the Gulf region. There should never be an impression that India cares only for its rich and well-off brethren abroad. Their welfare is a politically sensitive issue for both the central and many state governments, particularly in southern India. Thus we need to focus not just on H1B visas for those aspiring for jobs in the United States, but equally on job opportunities for the millions of Indians dependent on jobs in the Gulf region and elsewhere.

You mention that India must play the role of a conscience keeper. How will this advance India?s interest in the global community?

Elected governments also bear a moral responsibility that the power of the state be used for the welfare and protection of the people, particularly the weaker sections of society.

I believe that moral and ethical behaviour has a role in inter-state relations. The root cause of the ongoing financial crisis that has led to a global economic slowdown is selfishness and greed. The same holds true of climate change. Nations prefer to spend more money on weapons than on alleviating hunger and poverty.

If morality and ethics were to influence the behaviour of states, the world would become safer, happier and more prosperous. If nothing else, our self-interest requires it ? for the world is simply too dangerous and fragile for us to continue to behave irresponsibly.