role of india in world peace essay

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• 1.1 Coalition Government
• 1.2 Demand For New States
• 1.3 Internal Emergency
• 1.4 Proportional Representation
• 1.5 Mission Karmayogi
• 1.6 Online Misinformation
• 1.7 News in Shorts
• 2.1 India: Global Peacemaker
• 2.1.1 Why in the news?
• 2.1.2 About Peace Summit
• 2.1.3 Why is Global Peacemaking in India’s interest?
• 2.1.4 India’s Contributions/Potential to promoting International Peace 
• 2.1.5 India’s peacemaking role in Ukraine-Russia War
• 2.1.6 Barriers to India’s leadership in global peace-making efforts
• 2.1.7 Way Forward
• 2.1.8 Related News
• 2.1.9 Manama Declaration
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• 13.1 News in Shorts

India: Global Peacemaker

Posted 27 Jul 2024

Why in the news?

Recently, the Summit on Peace in Ukraine titled “Path to Peace Summit” was held in Switzerland.

About Peace Summit

• Objective : To develop a common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
• India's participation aligns with its consistent approach to facilitating a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
• India abstained from signing the joint communique released at the summit , advocating for practical engagement through dialogue between the conflicting parties.

Why is Global Peacemaking in India’s interest?

• Global impact of wars like, could derail its vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
• Ineffective UN System : The United Nations Security Council has traditionally been responsible for global peacemaking, but its credibility has diminished due to the active involvement of the permanent members in current global conflicts.
• Potential Global player : Success in mediating peace can improve India’s stature in the international arena and help fulfil its aspirations to play the role of a net security provider .
• External security : India also has a direct interest in de-escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, given the alleged connections between Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and North Korea's ballistic missile program.

India’s Contributions/Potential to promoting International Peace 

• Voice of the Global South : India acts as a bridge between Global South and North , clearly evident from its efforts to include African Union (AU) into G20 , amplifying southern voices. 
• E.g., India helped Austria to become free from the Soviet occupation in 1953 utilising India’s neutral and diplomatic tools with Soviet Union.
• Examples: India’s role in stabilizing Afghanistan, mediating the Sri Lankan civil conflict , and resolving domestic issues in Mizoram  demonstrates its capacity for effective conflict resolution capabilities.
• E.g., Iran asked India to play peacemaker role to de-escalate tension with US, after killing of Iran military commander in 2020.
• Peacebuilding through Development Partnership: E.g., in Africa and Afghanistan through ITEC Programmes, building infrastructure (such as Salma dam), etc.
• Cultural Diplomacy : India’s civilisational ethos is widely recognised and respected and the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ resonate globally, promoting harmony. 
• Multialignment : India's potential as a bridging power stems from its longstanding commitment to engaging all major poles of influence (Russia, USA, Israel, Iran, Japan) in the international system.
• Active participant in UN peacekeeping : India's active participation in multilateral forums like the United Nations Peacekeeping  underscores its commitment to global peace and cooperation.  (refer to the infographic)

Barriers to India’s leadership in global peace-making efforts

• Regional Conflicts : Persistent tensions with neighbouring Pakistan and unresolved border disputes with China can limit India’s ability to be perceived as an impartial peacemaker. 
• For instance, UN raised alarms on human rights violations in Indian state of Manipur.
• Resource Constraints : Due attention and investment needed for domestic development challenges like poverty and infrastructure deficits.
• Geopolitical Alignments : India's strategic partnerships, particularly with the United States and its involvement in the Quad , may be perceived as aligning with Western interests , potentially undermining its neutrality in certain global conflicts.
• Diplomatic Capacity : Compared to established global powers like USA and UK, India’s diplomatic network and influence are relatively limited, affecting its capacity to mediate complex international disputes effectively.
• Passive involvement:  India’s involvement in Russia-Ukraine has largely been passive, whereas China proposed a set of principles for ending  the conflict in Ukraine.

Way Forward

• India's Role as Vishwabandhu (the world’s friend): India must adopt a more proactive stance in global peacemaking. 
• Partnerships: India can contribute more to peace-making efforts, alongside like-minded nations powers (like South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia etc) and traditional Western peacemakers (Switzerland, Norway, etc.) 
• Capacity building: Form peace teams within the Ministry of External Affairs and think tanks to study global conflicts and develop resolution strategies similar to Norway's peace unit in Oslo.
• global peace
• India's foreign policy

Manama Declaration calls for UN Peacekeepers (UNPK) in occupied Palestinian territory

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India and International Peace Operations

Since the earliest days of United Nations peacekeeping, India has been one of the most important troops contributors and a champion of multilateralism and state sovereignty at the global level. This emphasis on state sovereignty is at odds with India’s involvement in South Asian conflicts, where it has acted unilaterally to maintain stability and protect its interests. This apparent disconnect cannot be properly understood without an appreciation of the legacy of the British rule of India (the Raj) and the first decades of independence.

As an emerging power, India’s strategic interests now once again extend far beyond South Asia. India’s military and economic ties with major powers and cooperation with its neighbours have expanded significantly in recent years. Simultaneously, the context and nature of international peacekeeping are changing. This SIPRI Insights paper examines India’s involvement in international peace operations to date and the new realities that are likely to shape India’s approach in the coming years.

I. The legacy of the Raj

II. The military surplus

III. The cold war and beyond

IV. Rising India, changing role

V. Conclusions

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