World Leader Bhopinder Singh claims that President Donald Trump's physical gestures with foreign counterparts, such as hugs, are not genuine diplomatic actions.
India's foreign policy landscape has undergone significant changes over the years, with some critics arguing that it has veered away from the pragmatic and strategic approach advocated by the late diplomat K. Subramanyam.
Subramanyam, a significant figure in modern Indian diplomacy and a doyen of Indian strategic thinking, was described as a "pragmatic realist" who held a strong vision about India's national interest. His diplomacy focused on substance rather than optics or political theatre, prioritizing accountability and prudent assessment of outcomes.
In contrast, contemporary Indian diplomacy has often become more performative and infused with political rhetoric and personality cults. Diplomatic engagements frequently involve grandiose claims and emotive nationalism that, according to critiques, detract from measured and effective policy-making. Modern diplomacy's increased emphasis on optics and politically charged narratives contrasts with Subramanyam’s emphasis on substantive outcomes and long-term national interest.
The summer of 2020 saw India engage in armed conflict with both China and Pakistan, during Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, the focus of the media on the "chemistry" between leaders during these "hugs" shifted from "what it actually achieves" to "how it actually looks". This style of diplomacy, often referred to as "pageantry diplomacy", has been a feature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's engagements, replacing serious negotiations.
The hard reality of Mr. Trump doubling down on India while going easier on Pakistan has been a rude shock. This shift in American foreign policy has presented India with complex geopolitical challenges, leading to debates about the effectiveness and direction of current diplomatic strategies. Some experts argue there is a need for a more balanced and diversified diplomatic strategy beyond traditional US alliances, suggesting a fresh reevaluation akin to the pragmatic reassessments Subramanyam advocated.
However, not all aspects of India's foreign relations have been marked by this shift towards performative diplomacy. Visa and immigration issues remain unresolved between India and Russia, despite hints of a breakthrough on trade issues. Russia has been rediscovered as India's "true friend" after Donald Trump's presidency, but no conclusive deal has been announced between the two nations.
In the broader context, India continues to navigate the complexities of its foreign relations, focusing on protecting its national interests—such as energy security, strategic alignments, and maintaining balance with major powers like the US, Russia, China, and regional groupings. The ongoing debate about the effectiveness and direction of these policies highlights the need for a strategic and pragmatic approach, reminiscent of Subramanyam's vision for Indian diplomacy.
K. Subramanyam's warning against the culture of deification that clouds reality continues to resonate, as world leaders have been met with awkward or cringy reactions from global leaders such as Angela Merkel, Shinzo Abe, and Keir Starmer, during Prime Minister Modi's "hugs". The anti-India governments in place in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Maldives further underscore the need for a diplomatic strategy that is rooted in pragmatic realism and focused on substance over spectacle.
In conclusion, K. Subramanyam's vision for India's national interest in diplomacy, rooted in pragmatic realism with a focus on substance over spectacle, remains a benchmark for strategic realism and disciplined diplomacy. His legacy continues to serve as a guiding light for those seeking a more balanced, effective, and long-term focused approach to India's foreign policy.
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