As India’s economic performance grows, its soft power grows in proportion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the charismatic leader of this 75-year-old republic and ancient civilisational culture, is thought to have answers to the dilemmas of the currently divided and troubled world. From a country that used to deliver unwanted lectures to the world, it is now much sought after.
Modi’s ‘one world family’ messaging during the recent G20 year hosted by India, ended by including the 55 nation African Union into its fold. India made the effort, achieved unanimity for the move, and successfully included the most exploited and savaged continent on earth onto the leading global platform where its ills can be addressed.
Domestically, the inclusive tone is set by ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Viswas’, despite the inevitable mockery and accusations of Hindu triumphalism. Together, these ideas resonate in an old-fashioned way in a world with two ongoing wars, one in Europe and the other in West Asia and the tendency to form opposing axes. A polarisation not seen since WWII is developing in a very worrisome way.
Meanwhile, the fact that India has drawn closer to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel than ever before, in practical, material, ways, gives the lie to the criticism of Hindu communalism.
In addition, America has become a firm strategic partner with military and technological benefits for both. France is now a firm friend and defence manufacturing partner too, along with Russia. Other relationships have also undergone massive positive transformations, such as the one with Japan.
Modi, a grey eminence with unbounded energy, in his 73rd year now, is widely regarded as one of the most respected and influential voices in the pantheon of global leaders.
That this global prominence has grown steadily over the last ten years is not surprising. Not only have the prime minister and external affairs minister been indefatigable in their diplomatic efforts, but India has also come from 10th to 5th position in its economy. This fact has given India great credibility.
With a gross domestic product growth of around 7 per cent per annum going forward, India is expected to occupy the 3rd position in the world by 2027. It will be behind only the US and China, with a GDP of $10 trillion, up from its current $4 trillion. It is the world’s most successful economy now.
By 2047, India’s 100th year since Independence, it is expected to have become a highly developed country. It will also have multiples of its present per capita income for its vast population, expected to touch 1.70 billion by then. It is expected to have an economy of over $30 trillion by then.
That India’s soft power is growing alongside all this is not surprising, nor is it unprecedented. Ancient India was fabled for its wealth, the greatest in the ancient world. That it set off a series of marauding conquests and occupations was the other side of the coin not likely to be repeated in the 21st century.
Its cultural, civilisational and dharmic influence spread all over the Far East including China and Japan. Without any aggression, attempt at domination or conquest. West Asia was also heavily influenced by Indian learning and innovation. And not a few so called inventions and discoveries claimed by the West were shamelessly lifted from India without acknowledgement.
Davos, used to hosting world’s leaders, its finest minds and economic thinkers, for over half a century now, witnessed a major presence from India this year, building on the interest generated last year. This in the presence of leaders from 300 countries.
The rate of foreign direct investment into India has trebled, and is slated to grow exponentially into high technology areas such as chip-making, defence manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other relocations of manufacturing from China.
For its latest soft power projection, India deployed the thoroughly confident and articulate Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani. She led the charge for global gender equality and equity.
This is the first time a woman minister has been sent to represent India’s government, and over 1 .4 billion people at Davos. This gender initiative is supported by the Bill and Melinda Foundation, the Davos Summit founder, and over 10,000 global corporate houses.
The gender alliance is intended to bring together global good practices, knowledge sharing, and most importantly, investment in women’s health, education, and support for women-led enterprise.
Smriti Irani has also recently returned from a path-breaking trip to Mecca and Medina. She had gone there to improve the Indian and Saudi government supported facilities for Indian pilgrims on the Umra or Haj, required of devout Muslims at least once in their lifetime. She was received warmly by the Saudi clerics and authorities, despite being sent out to do what was seen as a ‘man’s job’.
But the whole question of gender equity and equality has had a chequered career in India so far. The government recognises the problems associated with it, and has attacked it at various levels including banning gender determination using sonograms at the pre-birth stage, and the crime of infant matricide/ patricide of female children. Later in the trajectory, people are exhorted to educate girl children. The process is working, as gender ratios and school statistics bear out, but there is a long way to go towards equal participation in the workforce.
Meanwhile, India boasts of female fighter pilots trained to fly the supersonic Rafale, female commercial pilots, policewomen, soldiers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, judges in the higher judiciary.
And yet, only 27 per cent of women have joined the workforce so far, with many dropping out after a spell to take the remainder to depressing single digits. The old patriarchal attitudes persist, making it very hard for them and thereby wasting a massive human resource.
However, by using a global platform at Davos and the support the initiative has garnered, it is clear that this lack of gender equity and equality is a global phenomenon. Women are simply not considered for many jobs. Many avenues of learning are closed to them. They do not get equal pay or terms of contract. And this in advanced Western countries. The plight of women in Islamic countries is much worse, with Afghanistan under the Taliban or Iran under the Ayatollahs providing the most extreme cases.
The important thing is that India seeks to not only grow itself but change the inequities and maladjustments elsewhere. This gender initiative is another step in this direction. With a dozen Indian lounges at the 54th Global Summit at Davos, it featured prominently at the five-day jamboree.
Many of the Indian states such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka competed for attention with Indian AI and technology giants such as Wipro, Infosys, TCS and HCL Tech.
There were three Union ministers present, as many chief ministers, and a contingent of Indian CEOs.
India has moved on from showcasing its exotica as ‘Incredible India’, to projecting a lucrative and viable ‘Credible India’ – a preferable investment destination.
The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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