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“Whether drawing strength from its heritage and culture or approaching challenges with the optimism of democracy and technology, this is certainly a New India—an India that is more Bharat.” ~ Dr. S. Jaishankar
Illustration by The Geostrata
The field of international relations involves many complexities, both theoretical and practical. Initially, as students, when we start learning IR and IR theories, we learn about Thucydides' description of Melian dialogue and the pinnacle of political realism; we learn about the description and methods of the Prince from Machiavelli; we learn about the pragmatism of Talleyrand from his work experience with Napoleon, among other western scholars and theories.
Although, in the later stages, a portion of IR studies do mention Indian thinkers like Kautilya, in general, there is a deficit of studying Indian literature on strategic statecraft in India and across the globe.
It becomes of utmost importance to break away from the strategic normativism imposed by global western intelligentsia. In the last few years, we have witnessed many such texts and studies that focus on studying international affairs from the prism of the Indian psyche.
Many scholars have highlighted how ancient Indian texts such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the Epics Ramayana, and the Mahabharata provide many lessons that can be helpful in solving complex issues of geopolitics and foreign policy.
India’s EAM, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in his 2020 book, The India Way, rightfully places India’s national interest in the context of history and tradition, appropriate for a civilizational power like Bharat that seeks to reclaim its place as a Vishvaguru on the world stage. To further the same cause, he has announced the launch of his new book, “Why Bharat Matters.”
From war in eastern Europe to the conflict in West Asia, along with problems of climate change, radicalization, and terrorism, the world has been engulfed by many such destabilising events. Dr. Jaishankar believes that while rising powers seek stability most of all, India must plan to rise amidst serious unpredictability. Expressing his perspectives through the lens of the epic Ramayana, Dr. Jaishankar, through his new book, presents a unique approach to dealing with such contemporary situations.
Presenting this book to PM Narendra Modi, Dr. Jaishankar shared the contents of the book on X (formally known as Twitter). The book has been divided into 11 chapters, which include issues ranging from the importance of Quad to dealing with China and from the state of the world to re-imagining security. Further, it also includes the chapter on the roads not taken, which most probably will pen down alternative ways to solve past crises that we've avoided.
As we have entered into Amrit Kaal, the steps we take today will starkly shape the destiny of our future generations, especially in the domain of foreign policy since domestic policies are hardly alien to the international milieu.
As we are on our journey to yet again become a Vishvaguru, the collective conscience of 1.4 billion people is working to achieve such an aim with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The India that gained independence seven decades ago is being transformed into a new India, and as Dr. Jaishankar puts it, "this is certainly a new India—an India that is more Bharat."
BY DARSHAN GAJJAR
TEAM GEOSTRATA