We Need “Human Centric Globalization” Which Is Based on Fairness, Equality And Humanity: Harsh Vardhan Shringla
Pune, 30 April 2021: Continuity and change have been the defining characteristics of India’s foreign policy. Our foreign policy has always been deeply intertwined with our national priorities. These priorities have evolved as we traversed our journey as a nation. They will evolve further, as the world and the international situation evolves, over the next decade and longer, said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, Government of India.
Shringala was invited as the Chief Guest for the 7th Edition of the International Relations Conference titled: “Competition, Convergence and Multi alignment: Shaping India’s Foreign Policy for the Next Decade” organised by Symbiosis School of International Studies. The conference was held in virtual mode on 29th and 30th April 2021.
Speaking at the conference, Shringala said, the pandemic has had a major impact on our diplomatic environment. Some trends have been accelerated and new equations have appeared. It is important to remember that the globalized world carries with it its risks and unpredictability. The rate of change brings a significant degree of uncertainty to our world. The current pandemic underlines some of these risks. It is a time of disruptions, of the unexpected. We also live in a world where interdependence has been weaponized. Indian diplomatic strategy is adjusting to these changes and this complex and uncertain environment.
The primary spatial orientation of India’s foreign policy remains its immediate neighbourhood, under the Neighbourhood First Policy. It is supported by the revitalised Act East Policy and Think West Policy that seeks to enhance our engagement in our extended neighbourhood Shringala added further.
Shringala mentioned that the pandemic has, however, demonstrated the limitations of the existing international system. A purely economic agenda has defined globalization so far, and nations have cooperated more to balance competing individual interests, rather than advance the collective interests of all humankind. The limitations of this approach are evident. In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for human-centric globalization. It is globalization, based on fairness, equality and humanity.
The International conference brought together ministers, diplomats, corporate leaders, academics, members of civil society organizations, and NGOs, from the field of international relations both from India as well as globally. It was a pioneering platform for an in-depth discussion on the given themes, with speakers contributing both to the general framework of strategic culture and policy approaches in specific areas of interest to India.
Dr SB Mujumdar, Founder and President of Symbiosis and Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principle Director, Symbiosis and Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Dr Rajani Gupte, Vice-Chancellor, SIU were the other distinguished speakers for the IRC 2021. Prof. Shivali Lavale was the anchor of the program.
