Lok Sabha Question No. 2046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: India's Foreign Policy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Ganesh Singh, Shri Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava, Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2046 ANSWERED ON- 06/12/2024 INDIA'S FOREIGN POLICY

## 2046.    SHRI JUGAL KISHORE

## SHRI GANESH SINGH

SHRI ALOK SHARMA

DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA

SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :(a) the manner in which India's foreign policy has evolved in terms of increasing global influence and building strategic alliances; and

(b) the manner in which the Government has benefitted from multilateral platforms such as the G-20 and ASEAN to enhance its global influence and foster strategic partnerships?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(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 ASEAN-India   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 action-oriented   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 21 st  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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