Lok Sabha Question No. 753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: India's Global Influence and Strategic Alliances
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 753

## ANSWERED ON- 07/02/2025

## INDIA'S GLOBAL INFLUENCE AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

## 753.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the manner in which India's Foreign Policy has evolved in terms of expanding global influence and forming strategic alliances; and

(b)   the   manner   in   which   the   Government   has   leveraged   multilateral platforms, such as the G20 and ASEAN, to enhance India's influence and foster strategic partnerships across the globe?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) India's   foreign   policy   continues   to   evolve   to   reflect   its   primary objectives of  securing its national interests, including those of  Indians

living and working across the world. It is also reflected in the country's growing stature and capabilities to assume greater responsibilities on the world stage. A key focus of India's foreign policy remains its immediate and extended neighbourhood. India's historical and civilizational ties with countries in the region are guided by the 'Neighbourhood First Policy', 'Act East Policy', 'Think West Policy' and 'Connect Central Asia Policy', and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. These policies seek   to   comprehensively   enhance   our   engagement   with   relevant countries. India's membership of  various plurilateral initiatives such as BRICS, SCO and Quad and its own leadership in establishing various international institutions, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI), Global Bio-fuels Alliance and the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also reflect the country's expanding interests and partnerships.

(b) India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our foreign policy and the cornerstone of our Act East Policy. The up-gradation of the ASEANIndia relationship into a Strategic Partnership in 2012 and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 was a natural progression, reflecting the elevation of our relationship with ASEAN from Sectoral Dialogue Partner (Secretary Level) in 1992, Dialogue Partnership (Ministers' level) in 1996 and Summit Level Partnership (Leaders' level) in 2002.

Besides engagement in ASEAN +1 (India) framework, other platforms for engagement for India with the ASEAN region include other frameworks, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the   ASEAN   Defence   Ministers   Meeting   -   Plus   (ADMM-Plus)   and   the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

India's   G20   Presidency   from   1   December   2022   to   30   November   2023 provided an opportunity for highlighting its development initiatives and to focus on the developmental priorities and concerns of fellow Global South countries at the G20. The G20 Leaders' Declaration, adopted by consensus at New Delhi on 9-10 September 2023, reflected ambitious and actionoriented outcomes on various developmental priorities of India and the Global South countries, including accelerating progress on SDGs, green development and the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative, promoting accelerated and inclusive growth, reforming multilateral institutions for the   21st   century,   technological   transformation   through   deployment   of digital public infrastructure and women-led development. The launching of the Global Biofuels Alliance and the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor are reflective of the range of partnerships which India has been able to forge as part of its engagements in the G20.

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