🇮🇳 India in International Relations
Leader of developing countries (Third World) pushing their interests globally.
Supports established international law and order to maintain global peace.
India and United Nations (UN)
- Founding member, committed to multilateralism and dialogue.
- Non-permanent UNSC member (2021–22), pushes for decentralizing veto power.
- President of 2014 UNGA session; Chair of ECOSOC (2022–24).
- Respects ICJ decisions (e.g., Bangladesh maritime dispute, Kulbhushan Jadhav case).
- Justice Dalbeer Bhandari: first non-British judge re-elected to ICJ.
- Leads key UN committees on counter-terrorism and peace missions.
- Active in 15 peacekeeping missions; deployed first all-women police contingent.
- Elected to Human Rights Council (2019–22) with highest votes.
India and World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Member since 1995; advocate for developing countries' needs.
- Pushes for tariff flexibility and strong geographical indication protection (e.g., Basmati, Darjeeling).
- Wants developing countries’ policy flexibility on foreign investment (TRIMS).
- Strong voice at Doha 2001 for developing nations.
- Concerns:
- Opposes expanding investment rules that limit India’s development policy.
- WTO fails to address non-trade barriers on labor and environment.
- Supports income support for subsistence farmers to reduce environmental stress.
India and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Member since 1945; early large quota holder, now not permanent executive director.
- Has borrowed multiple times for balance of payments crises.
- Receives advice and training from IMF on fiscal and monetary policies.
- Membership enables access to World Bank, IFC, and IDA development loans.
India’s Negotiation Strategies
- Relationship Rule: Builds positive relations before talks; aims for win-win outcomes.
- Intellectual Property: Transitioned IP laws to comply with WTO TRIPs by 2005, with pharma sector exceptions.
- Long-termism:
- Launched LT-LEDS for climate neutrality by 2070 (COP27).
- Shapes rules in global health negotiations (e.g., Framework Convention on Tobacco Control).