Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary Diplomatist July 19 Edition . | Page 30

An ADBI Initiative
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
Greetings to readers of ‘The Diplomatist’ !
The India of today has attained greater prominence in the world
and wields immense infl uence in the global order. This has been the
result of mature and stable political leadership, a robust economy
and inclusive growth over the years.
India has emerged as a bright spot in the global economy. It
has reached an infl ection point wherefrom its ambition and pace of
change are guiding global economic dimensions. As an economic
power navigating the shifting world trade landscape, India seeks to
enhance its scope for manoeuvring, in order to address its unique
challenges born of a varied socio-economic fabric.
It thus becomes imperative to infuse greater cohesiveness and
synergies between foreign policy and economic interests. This
calls for creating a supportive interface at the international level.
Our astute diplomats have already ensured that India’s energies are
directed towards our economic interests as well.
Going forward, there will be challenges and opportunities for
India in the form of economic progress, energy security, trade
protectionism, disruptive technologies, sustainability and climate
change, Industry 4.0, among others. We are proud of the fact that
having descended from an ancient civilisation, India’s greatness lies
in taking up issues beyond itself. It is with this responsibility that
we aspire to place Indian industry at a higher pedestal in the world.
With this background, ASSOCHAM, as an apex industry chamber,
has commenced the ASSOCHAM Diplomacy to Business Initiative
(ADBI) under the leadership of our distinguished Ambassador Mr.
K V Rajan, to enhance Indian industry’s position and stance in the
international trade and political environment. Under this initiative,
we have collaborated to have a section in The Diplomatist magazine
dedicated to Diplomacy-to-Business issues, which would serve to
strengthen our understanding and provide in-depth assessment of
international aff airs as they impact businesses.
I am confi dent that this initiative would provide the necessary
synergies between diplomacy and business and mould itself into a
reliable compass to help expand our worldview.
I wish the new venture every success.
Balkrishan Goenka
President, ASSOCHAM
T
he objective behind setting up a D2B Initiative (ADBI) in
ASSOCHAM is a simple one. There is a great deal of discussion
that goes on in Delhi’s think tank and diplomatic community as
well as the media and on-line exchanges, with regard to the many
important foreign policy developments, issues and opportunities that
crop up and have a bearing on India’s business interests. The attempt
is to distil as much of this as is possible and convey it in the hope
that both diplomats, as well as the business community, would fi nd
it useful — for further study, refl ection and discussion as necessary.
When Prime Minister Modi announced his surprise decision to
appoint former Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar as his Foreign
Minister after his remarkable election victory, there was surprise
all around, mixed with a near-general reaction that, given the
uncertainties and tensions in the world and the daunting challenges
confronting India, this was a bold and positive decision.
That sentiment has been supported by the Prime Minister’s sure-
footed actions on a very wide array of meetings with world leaders
ever since his inauguration. He and the Foreign Minister have indeed
hit the ground running, but there has been no trace of hesitancy in
stating India’s positions, whether it was in regard to Pakistan or the
USA pressure tactics on Iran or defence imports from Russia or
trade, or in dealings with China. There is little doubt that the world
is deeply impressed by India’s democracy, by Mr Modi’s leadership
credentials, and by his capacity- and that of his foreign policy team- to
navigate the country through complicated waters in such a way that
India’s relevance as a constructive force in the global community is
enhanced while it seeks to protect its national interests.
India’s foreign policy agenda and priorities are clear and are being
publicly articulated with refreshing transparency and explicitness
even with friendly countries. Its style and substance are attracting
understanding and support at home and abroad.
Ambassador K.V. Rajan,
Chairman, (Diplomacy to Business Initiative)
Perhaps so far the only exception has been with regard to South
Asia. The “neighbourhood fi rst” objective has been emphatically
asserted. But the simultaneous dismissal of SAARC as a viable
forum for regional cooperation—for understandable reasons, given
Pakistan’s policy via a bus terror—dies to create some confusion
in the rest of India’s neighbourhood. Is India turning its back on
South Asia, its civilizational and historical assets, its geographical
advantages as an entity, along with SAARC? BIMSTEC off ers a
route and has more “energy” than SAARC and is hence receiving
more attention, but cannot be an alternative—as one South Asian
Ambassador was quick to point out.
For some South Asian diplomats, the Prime Minister’s vision
of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas” (All together,
Progress for All, Trust Among All) could extend beyond India’s
frontiers to include its neighbours— even if Pakistan chooses to be
excluded. It is subregional cooperation within South Asia whose time
has come, and which will provide the bricks for building SAARC.
A proactive business community which can think beyond borders
envisage a Make With India in selected sectors based on comparative
advantage and complementarities, and shared prosperity as a regional
imperative would now seem to be in India’s national interest.
K.V. Rajan