Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to virtually address the G7 summit on June 12 and 13. I believe he should take up this occasion to present the challenging crisis and concerns that are staring developing nations in the face. Time has come to reform international bodies corresponding with the contemporary realities, essaying greater participation of the global south.
India, apart from being a reliable ally of the West, is considered a trusted partner in trade and technology. This makes India a hotspot for investment, innovation inking deals and negotiations. I am of the opinion that India will have to be taken on board in international policy and programme interventions and outcomes. New Delhi should receive its due leverage if it is to put herself as a credible alternative to Beijing, which is currently catering to the obsession of United States and Europe.
But first, employing techniques and tactics to combat the coronavirus pandemic is crucial than anything else at this stage, as we can wait for our return to multilateralism. US President Joe Biden, too, should discharge his duties by asking US giants Pfizer and Moderna for a timely delivery of our vaccine doses.
We can’t let our citizens lose their precious lives. Already, we have paid dearly for our sins and can’t afford it any more. India shouldn’t bow down to them under any situation or circumstance for the preservation of our self-righteousness, pride and dignity. Neither is our country at the mercy of International Monetary Funds for want of aid and assistance. The US multilingualism shouldn’t be all about who gets what, when and how, but rather about how one should orient themselves to that outlook. Foreign diplomacy revolves around people, places and personalities, and for their ability to switch allegiance and audience for their reasons and choices.