India's role in a multi-polar world - Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft

Introduction
Elena Jurado and Priya Shankar *
“Whatever one says about India, the opposite is
also true”
As the saying goes, India, with its multifaceted
diversity, is not easy to categorise. A 21st century global
power or a poor developing country? An economy
based on cutting edge technology or subsistence
level agriculture? A liberal secular state or a deeply
religious society? An ancient and traditional civilization
or a culture that is rapidly modernising? The questions,
paradoxes and possibilities are infinite.
Yet, in spite of its multiple realities, it is clear that
India is undergoing a period of remarkable
transformation. Following its economic liberalisation
in the 1990s, the country has experienced a period of
breathtaking growth, which has also led to profound
socio-cultural change. From the emergence of
shiny new software companies in Bangalore to the
appearance of mobile phones in the hands of traditional
artisans, this change is clearly visible in the evolving
landscape of the country. Accompanying this period of
internal transformation, external perceptions of India
have also changed radically over the last decade. It is
now viewed as an emerging power with increasing
global clout.
On the whole, India’s rise is largely seen as a positive
Through a billion voices: India’s role in a multi-polar world 7
development. As a plural democracy in the developing
world, India has extraordinary symbolic significance. As
a moderate state, it is viewed by many as a stabilising
force in a volatile region. However, at the international
level, there is insufficient clarity about India and its
policies. It is sometimes perceived as being difficult
in international negotiations, with strong positions
on a whole spectrum of issues from trade to nuclear
non-proliferation. Indeed, many in the “west” are
uncertain about what kind of role India will play in the
international system as it acquires greater influence.
In part, this is because of the complex reality of India.
Simplistic generalisations are not accurate in the case
of any country or society, but in India, they become
even more problematic. At the same time, there is a
mismatch between the outside world’s perception of
India as an emerging power and India’s own internal
discourse and reality. While India has long had a sense
of its entitlement in world affairs, its key concerns are
often internal, given the enormity of the domestic
challenges it faces.
Our Foresight reader analyses these issues by
comparing the perspectives of Indian and non-Indian
authors on three critical global challenges: sustaining
economic globalisation; combating terrorism in the
South Asian region; and ensuring resource security.
The section that opens the publication sets the Indian
context, with two essays that explore India’s identity
and role in a multi-polar world. The volume also
contains key comparative data that elucidates some of
the recent trends in each field. This brief introduction
highlights some of the major arguments put forward.
I: India at the crossroads
The nature of the Indian state as a vibrant and
diverse democracy is essential to understanding its
foreign policy, which can sometimes appear to lack
clear strategic vision. As Sunil Khilnani argues in this
volume, the democratic and deliberative nature of
* We are grateful to Michael McTernan, Alfredo Cabral, Nick Colwill, Natasha Joshi, Krystian Seibert and Arjun Singh-Muchelle for their excellent
assistance with this publication.
Introduction | Elena Jurado and Priya Shankar