India’s Emergence as the Next Diplomatic Leader: A Global Power in the Making

India has established itself as a growing diplomatic power, ready to play a significant role in reshaping the world order in an era of fast change. India has steadily become a force to be reckoned with on the global scene thanks to its rich cultural legacy, advantageous geographic location, and healthy economy. India has emerged as a frontrunner to take on the role of the next diplomatic leader as the globe searches for new leaders to steer it through complicated challenges. This is due to India’s diplomatic skill and dedication to multilateralism.

India’s rise to international prominence has been significantly influenced by both its economic development and its influence in the region. India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world thanks to its outstanding economic growth over the last few decades. India has grown to be the sixth-largest economy in the world with a GDP of over $3 trillion, attracting interest and investment from around the world.

A wide range of industries, including information technology, manufacturing, services, and agriculture, have contributed to the nation’s economic success. India’s growing middle class and consumer base have also supported the country’s economic growth. India’s ability to utilize its economic power and create strategic alliances with other countries has increased its regional influence. Through efforts like the “Neighbourhood First” policy, which aims to promote deeper engagement and collaboration within the South Asian area, India has taken the initiative to build economic relations with its neighbors.

Additionally, India has a regional influence that goes beyond its local vicinity. The nation has followed an active and proportionate foreign policy, cooperating with both powerful nations and developing economies. India has been able to assert its influence in the larger Asian area because of its membership in regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. India has taken a leading role in influencing regional dynamics by fortifying its diplomatic and economic connections with nations around Asia.

Even if economic development undoubtedly has a significant impact, India’s dedication to multilateralism is what propels it to become the next world power. Their foreign policy has made this a top priority. India has constantly pushed for a multilateral structure that is more robust and inclusive. The nation firmly believes that international cooperation and group efforts are the only effective ways for states to address global concerns.

India places a lot of emphasis on participatory decision-making procedures as one of its main tenets of multilateralism. India has long advocated for reforming international institutions of governance, such as the UN Security Council, to better reflect modern geopolitical realities and give emerging economies more clout. It aims for a more equitable distribution of authority and representation within these institutions, understanding that decision-making requires a range of viewpoints.

The state’s active participation in initiatives and multilateral platforms to address urgent global concerns. It interacts with other countries to find answers to economic, social, and environmental problems through forums including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the G20, and BRICS. India’s participation in these platforms displays its readiness to collaborate with other nations in order to achieve common objectives and to create solutions based on agreements that are advantageous to all parties.

Support for peacekeeping operations is another example of India’s dedication to multilateralism. The nation has made one of the largest financial contributions to UN missions for maintaining world peace and security, proving its dedication to doing so. Indian peacekeepers have been instrumental in maintaining peace and delivering aid in troubled areas around the world.

India’s strong renewable energy targets demonstrate a commitment to climate change. The nation has set a target of 450 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 175 GW of the capacity coming from solar and wind sources. This dedication to clean energy encourages innovation and job growth in the renewable sector while simultaneously lowering carbon emissions. India is seen as a leader in the shift to a green economy due to its concentration on renewable energy.

The state has also actively participated in international climate negotiations, which has helped to shape the Paris Agreement. The nation has pushed for the idea of shared but distinct obligations, highlighting the necessity of affluent countries aiding developing nations in their attempts to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. India’s participation in international climate forums gives it a platform to discuss its experiences, difficulties, and accomplishments while also assisting in the development of more inclusive and fair global climate policies.

With the country being the global leader in addressing climate change. The nation has actively participated in South-South cooperation, lending its resources and experience to other developing countries. India has pledged help for partner nations’ efforts to combat climate change through technology transfer, capacity building, and renewable energy initiatives. Through such activities, India has established a solid reputation as a knowledgeable adviser and partner in the worldwide fight against climate change.

The world is constantly changing, and with India’s economy ranking as the fifth largest in the world and its moves in diplomatic matters, India is assuming a key role in becoming the next diplomatic leader. With India serving as the G20 president and taking the SCO chair, it is growing stronger every day and making preparations to take over as the world’s diplomatic leader. 

Awaiting the climatic catastrophe!

The temperature of the Earth has been rising day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, and second by second. Since the industrialization boom, the earth has entered a state of modernization in which nature and greenery consume only a fraction of the earth and the rest is taken up by concrete jungles and oceans of plastic. The earth’s temperature has risen by more than 0.9 degrees Celsius since 1906. This has resulted in severe natural consequences such as melting polar ice caps, unpredictable climate environments, and drought in various regions.

The aforementioned actions are a result of climate change. Climate change is an issue that requires immediate attention and resolution. The term “climate change” was coined for the first time in 1950, when there was a rapid increase in temperature in the tropical ocean, but a few pieces of evidence and traces show that this phenomenon has been occurring since the 1830s. It demonstrates how dangerous this is because it has stood the test of time and has had a long-term impact on the environment without people noticing for nearly 120 years.

Temperature increases in the Arctic region are thought to have begun around the same time, but what was causing such an increase in temperatures? The industrial revolution is thought to have begun in 1780, but it did not become fully developed in societies until 1830. This was the period when the number of factories, transportation systems, and other new technologies that required the manipulation of natural resources increased.

The society at the time had not feared or considered climate issues, which resulted in mass exploitation of fossil fuels, deforestation, river blocking to prevent flooding, and so on. Reasons like this caused an imbalance in the earth’s environment, and we have been dealing with such issues ever since.

We are now facing the negative consequences of climate change because no action was taken to stop or reduce it. The earth’s temperature continues to rise by 0.16 degrees Fahrenheit per decade; this may appear to be a small amount, but it will cause severe constraints and problems in the long run. Unpredictable weather forecasts have been prevalent over the years, resulting in crop failure and farm land destruction. As a result, the country is forced to live in famine. The Godavari River in India has reported that its water levels have receded and that it will soon dry up. This river was a source of water for many people, and now that it is drying up, millions of Indians will be thirsty and will have to walk miles to get water from remote locations.

Increasing sea levels are a threat to the environment; in the last three years, China has experienced an increase in the number of floods, forcing people to flee the area. China, a major economic power, is now experiencing the negative effects of climate change in its country, causing millions to be displaced and hoping to find new shelter. Wildfires in California continue to occur on a daily basis, resulting in the loss of a large amount of natural land that could be used for cultivation or simply to maintain the balance of oxygen in the environment.

Many island countries are expected to sink as sea levels rise as a result of this issue. This is an urgent issue that must be resolved as soon as possible, or else the world will come to a halt and will be irreversible. Simple steps can be taken to address this growing problem. Recycling is essential and should be practiced by everyone; recycling even one plastic bottle per day can make a significant difference in the environment. Planting a tree is a great place to start; many social media influencers and non-governmental organizations have launched campaigns in which a tree is planted for every dollar donated.

People have been trying for the past year to persuade governmental bodies to implement agendas that will result in a pollution-free environment. Finland has announced that they will be completely dependent on green energy in a few years, and the European Union has decided to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy. We can hope that if these statements hold true, we will not be living in a post-apocalyptic world like Fahrenheit 451 in a few years.

By Shreyas Ghosh | DPS International Edge, Gurgaon, India