India’s Emerging International Stature in the Twenty-first Century
India, today, stands at a threshold in leveraging its economic and military growth in consonant with its national security goals. This situation has earned both a national identity and an international status, where economic and military strength are major determinants. Ironically, India’s growing global status coincided with two major international developments: One is the disintegration of the erstwhile Soviet Union, and the second one is the end of the Cold War. India, during this period of unilateralism and emerging multilateralism, has taken a number of steps that have attracted international attention, which can be corroborated by the high-level visits.
The high profile visits, in recent years, from the P-5 countries such as Britain, the US, France, China and Russia reflect the importance that is accorded to India in the international system. These high profile visits send a clear message to the international community about the role that India would be playing in the coming decades. “India will shape Asia’s future”, was the most recent statement given by Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, in one of her visits to Chennai, India, on 20 July 2011. No doubt, India is being considered by many countries as the source of stability and security in the world in general and Asia in particular.
Many high profile visits have also witnessed the eagerness of these countries to have qualitatively stronger and more comprehensive relations with India. However, a moot question still remains to be debated as to what would be India’s gain in strategic terms by a closer relationship with these countries? No doubt, growing relationship with these countries would give New Delhi an exclusive strategic space in global decision-making. But this decision-making role is also limited since India lacks the teeth in UN and its friendship with major powers is limited to actual terms be it pure economy or military areas. But one thing is sure that this limitation is getting waived by a changing perception of the attitude of US in its attitude towards India's legitimate role both in the regional and global strategic environment. Not only the U.S. but also other major powers of the world see India as an important strategic partner in resolving regional and global issues. India sees an opportunity for itself in claiming its status in this emerging world order. However, it needs to redefine its role in consonance with increasing weight in the international system and should be ready to perform the responsibilities that it has to perform.
India understands well the role it has to play in the competitive international strategic environment. It traditionally being a prominent leader in South Asia, is transcending that role to play a larger global role, which is endorsed by the United States, the European Union, Russia and Britain in their respective strategic partnerships with India. The five major powers of the world seem to be reevaluating New Delhi’s position in the changing world scenario. It was during his visit to India in November 2010 that U.S. President Barack Obama said: “For in Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging; India has already emerged. And it is my firm belief that the relationship between the United States and India-bound by our shared interests and values-will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. This is the partnership I have come here to build. This is the vision that our nations can realize together.”
India’s position in the international affairs, particularly in Asia, has been driven primarily by its growing economic and military strength. India’s rising economic might is unquestionable. As for her military power, apart from others, it now includes unashamed expertise in strategic weaponry ranging from ballistic missiles to nuclear weapons and a sizeable task force present in the Indian Ocean. In addition to this a few other facts must be highlighted. India’s standing in the world, at present, in terms of population (1,166,079,217) is second; in military strength (US $M 26513) it is fourth in the world; in economic strength calculated in PPP terms (GDP of US $M 1,166,079,217) is fourth in the world; in terms of political stability (16.7) is sixth in the world and finally in Government competence (53.6), it comes fifth in the world. In the coming decade, India is very likely to attain more heights such as it can be the third largest economy after United States and China in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).
In addition to all the above, it is to be noted that India, as a functioning democracy, is committed to the rule of law and respect for fundamental human freedoms and does not pose any kind of threat to any country. India understands better the role it has to perform in the twenty-first century, whether the cause is related to fighting terrorism, peacekeeping, the problems of climate change, or ensuring regional security.
Probably for all these qualities, President Barack Obama of the US deviated sharply from his earlier stand and supported the case of India during his last visit to India. During the last few years, the P-5 countries have shown remarkable interest in supporting India’s case for its inclusion as a permanent member in the UNSC on many occasions. However, it remains to be seen how soon it is actualized. Suffice it to add that supporting India’s case for permanent membership in the UN Security Council will have an added advantage for the P-5 countries in bringing India to the multilateral fold. In the recent past, India has shown a remarkable disposition of its responsibility, whether in some bilateral or multilateral for and whether related to nuclear or any other global threats, even at the cost of its bilateral friendship, as was evident in Iran’s nuclear crisis. India also remains committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism from its soil and the world at large. Hence according a great power status for India would mean that the world is safe on two different fronts: One on the problem of eradicating global threats and the other in building a secure one. India’s rise in the international system would also benefit the international community because it can reduce the burdens of those countries which are currently playing a crucial role in ensuring international peace, security, and prosperity.