AKIPRESS.COM - As India celebrates 75 years of Independence today - Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - with celebrations around the theme 'Nation First, Always First', the country's stupendous achievements are visible in different fields.
These become more remarkable because the country had to make a ‘Tryst with Destiny’ bringing out an exploited one sixth of the humanity from the vagaries of the colonial yoke, writes Anil Trigunayat, former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta.
The major challenges included socio-economic development and nation building through education and industrial development, eradication of poverty and food self-sufficiency.
India, before the advent of the colonial powers, contributed to over a quarter of the global GDP that went down to less than 4% when they left with her industry decimated and administrative system which was geared to serve interests of the colonial masters.
In the last over seven decades, India has engineered Green, Yellow and White Revolutions with continuous upgradation in technology in the agricultural and food processing areas not only to meet demand of a burgeoning population of 1.3 billion, but has also emerged as a net exporter and helper to the world. India has also emerged as credible nuclear and space power in the world- the tools it intends to employ for the global good.
India, rich in knowledge and science, is leaving its mark from Moon to Mars. Today, its startup ecosystem has become a center of attraction in the world. The country has the largest young aspirational population and the fastest growing market economy which is ready to cater to the needs of teeming billion plus people who take pride in the Indian story.
As a result of umpteen initiatives by the Indian government, hundreds of archaic laws have been dispensed with. India’s global ranking for DBI (Doing Business with India) has moved up significantly even as more needs to be done. India has become a favorite investment destination garnering the highest annual FDI inflow of $83.57 billion in FY21-22 despite the Pandemic.
Computer Software and Hardware became the top recipient sector of FDI Equity inflow with a share of around 25% which indicates that India figures prominently for the investors as the AI driven Industrial Revolution 4.0 moves to a higher orbit.
India also boasts of a fast growth in billionaire Unicorns globally. The FDI equity inflows in Manufacturing rose by 76% in FY 2021-22 well supported by the Indian policy framework and ‘Make in India’ and PLI (Performance Linked Initiative) schemes. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Indian economic and political resilience.
Likewise, for the first time Indian exports of goods and services reached over $600 billion in 2021-22 despite the global problems and supply constraints due to the pandemic and the ongoing Eurasian war. India has always been a trading nation and is working hard to reclaim that status yet again.
Along with this, India is also focusing on self-reliance with a global footprint - ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India), especially in manufacturing sector and to be an integral part of alternate value and supply chains which are resilient and reliable for the national interest and the global good.
In this context, India’s participation in the I2U2, Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and other regional and sub regional connectivity-oriented frameworks acquires a renewed salience and focus. Likewise, vigorous move to expeditiously implement INSTC (North South Transport corridor), strategic connectivity projects like Chabahar Port in Iran to Afghanistan to Central Asia and Europe or Eastern part of India to ASEAN corridors aim at providing crucial trade and economic linkages for India’s centrality in global supply chains.
As India wishes to lead through the AI driven Industrial revolution 4.0, its Digital India, Start Up India campaigns have become the hallmark of a unique digital footprint. Prime Minister Modi while speaking at the recent inaugural of first bullion exchange, claimed that India already accounts for 40% of global digital payments.
India’s foreign policy has become more robust and the country pursues a value based foreign policy clearly driven by strategic autonomy. India at the UNSC no longer pleads for a place on the horse shoe table but claims it on the basis of her credentials.
India is also on the forefront of fight against Climate Change. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and ‘One Planet One Health’ are the initiatives which India has launched with and for the global community as it has emerged as a first responder in the crisis situations from natural disasters to the pandemic.
With a clear focus on multilateralism and primacy of the UN Charter, India navigates her foreign and security policy with dignity and confidence as she engages with diverse partners across various groupings like the QUAD, BRICS, SCO, G20 and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) where India becomes a pivot. Her Neighborhood First, Act East, India-Central Asian States cooperation mechanism and Link West and Africa for Africans policies provide her the effective fulcrum for mutually beneficial partnerships.
India’s capacity building assistance under the ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) to persons from over 160 countries have received much accolades. Under ITEC program, about 1300 Kyrgyz citizens have received training in different disciplines in India over a period of years, which was fully sponsored by government of India.
Supply of essential medicines, medical supplies and deputing professionals and paramedics during the pandemic to the needy countries have given it unparalleled heft as a responsible global centric power always rising to the occasion.
As a new global order emerges out of the current churn and transition, India is all set to take up a benign leadership role during the next 25 years with a strong polity, stronger economy and efficient foreign policy which is robust, resilient and result oriented and with the global good at the core.