India committed to uphold rules-based international order: Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla

India will work with its worldwide companions to uphold a rules-based order, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and peaceable decision of disputes whereas retaining strategic autonomy in decision-making, international secretary Harsh Shringla stated on Thursday.

The Covid-19 pandemic, which Shringla described because the “most catastrophic event after World War 2”, has “uncovered the vulnerabilities of nations” and led to the emergence of plurilateral platforms to deal with new challenges, he stated whereas delivering a lecture at an internet occasion marking the diamond jubilee of the National Defence College.

Speaking on the theme “Leveraging strategic autonomy in a turbulent world”, he stated: “While there is a strong intent to cooperate, the need to retain strategic autonomy is even greater.”

Without naming China, whose aggressive actions have resulted in efforts for coordinated responses by nations within the Indo-Pacific area, Shringla referred to India’s upcoming two-year stint within the UN Security Council and stated: “We remain committed to upholding a rules-based international order underpinned by the rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes.”

India’s goal will likely be advancing the safety and financial pursuits of all nations in opposition to the backdrop of the Security Council’s dynamics having modified prior to now decade. “As a rule-abiding democracy and positive contributor to the security of global commons, India aims to bring innovation and inclusive solutions to foster development. Reformed multilaterism is going to be a top priority for us,” he stated.

In this context, Shringla pointed to India’s position in supporting a good and inclusive WTO, World Bank and IMF and its position in digital taxation negotiations. He additionally stated India had emerged as a internet safety supplier in its prolonged neighbourhood by being on the forefront of humanitarian help operations and cooperating with Indo-Pacific nations on maritime safety, anti-piracy and marine air pollution.

However, Shringla cautioned that the worldwide financial fallout of the pandemic will stay a problem within the occasions to come back, and require a fastidiously deliberate method. “The breakdown of global supply chains has perhaps for the first time led us to think and explore alternative possibilities. India’s view has been to look at this challenge, not as a constraint, but as an opportunity for our economy as well as for rebalancing the international system,” he stated.

“While keeping our strategic autonomy, we recognise the value of profitable economic convergence and the need to diversify as a need of the hour,” he stated, noting that this was mirrored in India’s digital summits with Australia, the European Union (EU), Denmark, and Sri Lanka, and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue consultations.