Gandhian philosophy for International relations: Study on potential to promote International relations between India and Guatemala and other Central American nations.
Creators: name: Rudresh Pandey
name: Flores, Karina Elizabeth Pérez
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: 160607 International Relations
subject: FOS: Political science
subject: FOS: Political science

description: International relation are characterized by continuity and change but many core features endure for centuries[1]. This paper will look in to possibilities to build ties between India and other nations from Central America specifically Guatemala, with the help of Gandhian philosophy. Gandhian Ideas can be explored in relevance to problems faced by these nations. Popularizing Gandhian philosophy can result in goodwill for India in public. This paper will make Suggestions for a road map for making Gandhian ideas more popular and ultimately resulting in stronger ties between India with Guatemala and other Central American nations. Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and thoughts are the driving force for India not only for general public but also for the policy makers. His values and thoughts can be the core feature for international relations for India and with India.<br>Guatemala–India relations are relatively new, although diplomatic relations were established with each other in the 1970s. The Indian Embassy in Guatemala was opened in December 2009 and became fully functional in mid-2010. Guatemala opened its Embassy in New Delhi in April 2013 and the first resident Ambassador of Guatemala to India, presented his credentials in April, 2014[2]. There is a need to build up people to people connect in this new start of relation between these two nations. Gandhian philosophy can be the bases for a people to people connect and goodwill.<br>Gandhian philosophy needs to be understood as Gandhian values have deeper meaning and different dimensions when it comes to different economic and political concepts. For example - V.K.R.V. Rao explains Gandhi’s concept of socialism “In the Gandhian dictionary, it is impossible to distinguish between means and ends, and therefore Gandhi's conception of socialism was basically different from that associated with communism or scientific socialism or the Russian experiment or the Chinese experiment Gandhi's socialism therefore cannot be treated as a first or even a second cousin of Marxian socialism[3]” Same can be said about satyagrah, according to Mahatma Gandhi “satyagrah is like banyan tree with innumerable branches, civil disobedience is one such branch satya (truth) and ahimsa (non-violence) together make the parent trunk[4]”. This deeper meaning and different dimensions of Gandhian philosophy requires more groundwork in terms of understanding Guatemalan culture and how Gandhian ideas should be presented to them. This paper will suggest how a beginning can be made for this.<br>Guatemala and India both the countries are very rich in cultural heritage and both are democratic countries. Gandhian Philosophy can address problems faced by people in Guatemala and can give different political and economic perspective, it can help to find and maintain a balance with respect to capital and labor. Gandhian ideas to empower villages can be a way for better quality of life. Racism is a menace and Gandhian philosophy can give solutions prevent violations of the civil rights of citizens.<br>This paper will look into specific political and social issues in Guatemala and other Central American nations and will suggest how Gandhian philosophy gives ways in resolving them. This paper will also look into the issues and how Gandhian thoughts can be taken to general public in Guatemala other Central American nations.<br>[1] J. Martin Rochester (2010). Fundamental Principles of International Relations: Vol. 1. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle, U.K, ISBN - 9781458781802/ 1458781801<br>[2] India-Guatemala Relations, Retrieved from - http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Guatemala_2015_07_10.pdf<br>[3] . V.K.R.V. Rao (1985) Trusteeship as the Gandhian instrument for social change, June, Gandhi Marg, Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi<br>[4] Gandhi: Selected Political Writings by Mahatma Gandhi, ed. Dalton, Dennis (Hackett) (ISBN: 0-87220-330-1)