New Delhi, April 3: Syed Akbaruddin, former permanent representative of India to the United Nations, emphasized that India’s foreign policy is increasingly reflecting the aspirations of its youth and the everyday needs of its citizens. He stated that just as India matters to the world, the world also matters to India, necessitating a more cautious and balanced approach in its responses.
During a conversation on Indian podcaster Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel, Akbaruddin discussed the evolving nature of diplomacy. He highlighted that the expectations of today’s young Indians differ significantly from those of previous generations.
The former IFS officer noted that while traditional foreign policy focused primarily on ideological positioning, contemporary youth are more concerned with practical outcomes such as job opportunities, easier visa access, and improved remittance methods.
“I see that young and ordinary Indians want something different from traditional foreign policy. They seek jobs, opportunities, better visas, and remittances,” he stated, emphasizing how these expectations are now reflected in India’s external engagements.
Akbaruddin pointed out that in the 1980s, India’s perspective on global issues was much more vocal and reactive. “We used to comment openly and swiftly on international developments. If something happened in Libya or Venezuela, we would condemn it first,” he recalled.
However, he noted that the increasing economic integration of the country with the world necessitated a more cautious and balanced stance. In the 1980s, India’s global economic engagement was about 15-17%, which has now risen to nearly 50%.
This shift has made it essential for India to operate with greater restraint and strategic assessment, as global developments now directly impact domestic interests. “Today, as India matters to the world, the world equally matters to India. Therefore, we must be more careful and thoughtful in our responses,” he asserted.
Discussing geopolitical realities, Akbaruddin remarked that every country operates with some degree of advantage in international relations. He referenced China’s deep influence in Iran due to significant oil imports, contrasting it with the lesser impact of European countries in similar situations.
He stressed that the outcomes of foreign policy should not be judged solely based on immediate results, as diplomacy often involves gradual and procedural efforts. “Some processes take time, while others may advance quickly. Different countries have varying levels of leverage,” he explained.
Highlighting India’s strengths, he noted the country’s considerable influence in the Gulf region, which has helped secure its interests effectively. The evaluation of India’s foreign policy should be based on its leverage and outcomes, rather than whether it publicly criticizes global changes.
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