Q1. India is now the most populous country, surpassing China. Just something symbolic or is also an advantage in the way to building a stronger economy?
A: There is obviously a symbolism but there is also the reality. When a country has more than half its population under the age of 30, it has a valuable resource that cannot be overstated. This is particularly so when compared with the overall global situation. The fact is that the international economy, demand and demographics no longer match. That has created a global workplace with an increasing premium on mobility. That we are also transitioning to a knowledge economy and an era of artificial intelligence adds to the salience of human resources. India’s challenge at home is to skill and educate our talent so that they make the best contribution. But all in all, demographics will be a very crucial factor in the international economy and therefore, in global politics as well.
2: India is diverse in terms of ethnicity, language and religion. China, the other demographic giant, is 90% Han. Democracy was just a pragmatic solution by India’s founding fathers in 1947 to deal with diversity or there is a strong believe in democracy in the political leadership and population both in 1947 and now?
Ans: Democracy was not just an invention in 1947 when we got independence. It is very deep in our culture and ethos. Essentially, we are a pluralistic and diverse society and in fact, value those characteristics. This sets us apart, not just from East Asia but even from Europe. We have never imposed uniformity as a pre-requisite for nation building. Whether it is in faith, sociology, polity or culture, co-existing and harmonizing is part of our DNA. This naturally has a dynamics of its own, not easy for societies with a different history to understand. Our ability to handle different facets of identity is also much stronger. This makes Indians far more adept at navigating a globalized world. Not just that, in an era of technology, our natural inclination is to democratize its application and deployment. As a result, we see no contradiction in simultaneously advancing tradition and modernity. India’s fundamental strength is in its pluralism and this will matter more as we navigate an interdependent world.
3.Partnership with China in the BRICS, traditional alliance with Russia, new relation with USA promised by PM Modi. How do you describe India’s foreign policy? Multi-vectoral? Independent?
A: The two big contradictions of our times are the East-West polarization that currently centers around the Ukraine conflict and the North-South divide accentuated by the Covid impact. During its G20 Presidency, India displayed an ability to bridge both of them and help create common ground for a global agenda. This happened because we are an independent minded polity which has thought in terms of national interest and global good rather than camp politics. In any case, the world too is moving towards greater rebalancing and multipolarity. There is a requirement to work with many partners on different agendas. You can call it multi-vector, independent or in some cases, even multi-alignment. The reality is an ability to forge partnerships with different players on particular issues, sometimes in a specific arena. This is visible in the advancement of the Quad in the Indo-Pacific, in the expansion of the BRICS, or indeed in initiatives in the Middle East like IMEEC or I2U2. At the same time, do also note that India is a powerful advocate of the Global South. And we have been taking initiatives like the International Solar Alliance or the Coalition for the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Our record in elections to international organizations is one indication of the credibility and support that we have in the world. At times, we have stood up for what is right even if it goes against the dominant narrative. This has only enhanced our standing with countries who feel that we have articulated what they too actually believe.
4.Is European Union also a important partner? And there is place for a small country as Portugal in India’s diplomacy?
A: The European Union (EU) is an increasingly critical partner for India. One facet of the relationship is the economic and developmental aspect, where the EU is the source of technology, capital and best practices. But, it is equally noteworthy that we are market economies, democratic polities and pluralistic societies. There is a shared commitment towards building and strengthening a rules-based order. Especially in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, it is necessary that we cooperate in creating more resilient and reliable supply chains. Similarly, in the digital domain, we both attach great importance to trust and transparency. It is in our common interest that the international economy is not made excessively vulnerable through over-concentrations.
India-EU trade is in excess of Euro 150 billion. Recent Indian policies of making it easier to do business has elicited a strong response from European corporates. We are currently negotiating an India-EU FTA. Obviously, that is a complicated exercise and will take some time to conclude. The Porto Summit in 2021 was a milestone in this regard. And we are appreciative of the role of Portugal in catalyzing this process.
Another noteworthy feature is the growing interest that the EU and individual members have taken in the Indo-Pacific. That EU is also developing a global strategy strengthens its engagement with India. Do note that the IMEEC initiative concluded at the New Delhi G20 Summit has India and Europe as its two ends.
5. Portugal supports India in a renovated UN Security Council as a permanent member? Is still a priority to India the UN Reform?
A: We believe that the reform of the United Nations is absolutely essential if the global order is to become contemporary. The current arrangement is almost eight decades old and has clearly outlived its purpose. Large parts of the world and the most populous country are not represented adequately in its decision making. This has undermined both the effectiveness and the credibility of the UN. In recent times, we have seen impasse and gridlocks at a time when the world wants solutions. As we were going through the greatest crisis of this century in combatting the pandemic, the UN was initially a bystander. The world is getting more complicated and challenging. There is a visible deficit in global goods. It can only be addressed if those with more to contribute are enabled to do so. After all, even the G7 has yielded place to the G20. How can the P5 continue unchanged? If we objectively assess the sentiments of the almost 200 members of the UN, it is strongly in favor of change. A few countries are resisting that for narrow gains and selfish interests. They cannot fight change and resist progress. The reform of the UN will happen and it is a matter of time.
6. How do you see the performance of Antonio Guterres as Secretary-General, dealing with Russia-Ukraine War, war Hamas-Israel, tension in Taiwan Strait?
A: Secretary General Guterres is at the helm of affairs at a crucial juncture. The world is going through extraordinary turbulence and unprecedented stress. Many of the gains in the SDG domain have been rolled back as a result of the pandemic, debt and inflation. We, in India, particularly appreciate his contribution to focusing attention on the needs of the Global South. I have also worked with him on some aspects of the Ukraine challenge. He has been deeply involved in promoting sustainability. And I specially recall his coming to India to launch Prime Minister Modi’s Mission LiFE.
7. Your brother, the historian Sanjay Subramanian, is the author of a important biography of Vasco da Gama. As a prominent critic of European colonization, how do you see the Portuguese legacy in India? Could Goa work as a bridge between India and Portugal?
A: History is an inheritance. What we make of it is up to us. As a country that believes that fair, democratic and responsible globalization offers opportunities, India would naturally like to strengthen its international connections. The links of the past can be helpful in that regard. We have therefore joined the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and developed our ties with the Lusophone world.
8.There is a growing number of Indian immigrants in Portugal. This migration issue is affecting India-Portugal relations?
A: Mobility and migration are today intrinsic elements of our globalized and interdependent existence. The challenge for diplomacy is to make this work to mutual benefit. We are strongly supporting of legal mobility since it is transparent and provides necessary protection. Portugal is one of the earliest countries in the EU to realize its importance. In recent years we have concluded agreements with a number of other EU countries. The creation of a just and orderly global workplace is in the larger interests of the international community.
9. India’s gastronomy, music, movies, even some novels are popular in Portugal. How strong is India’s soft power?
A: An India that celebrates its culture, traditions and heritage more strongly naturally makes a greater impact at the international level. In recent years, we have seen democracy deepen in our society and more authentic and varied expressions of our soft power being articulated. The G20 Presidency, in fact, provided an occasion for us to display the full spectrum of India’s diversity to the world. We are also witnessing the talent of our younger generations coming to the fore. Where they interact with other cultures, the resulting fusion also adds to the richness of our contribution. If one looks at the worlds of art, literature, films, music or gastronomy, the presence of Indians at a global level is now far more striking. I can only see that grow even further in the years to come. At the same time, Indian traditions and practices are also becoming more globalized. This is so visible in the example of Yoga, which has become truly universal. This is also happening to other wellness practices.
10.Nuclear tension with Pakistan, dispute about Kashmir. How important is to India, a country with two hundred million Muslims, to challenge the general narrative of a conflict in South Asia between Hindus and Muslims?
A: It is true that India-Pakistan ties has its challenges. They emanate essentially from cross-border terrorism directed against India. No country has suffered more from terrorism than we have. We naturally hope that better sense will prevail at some point. As regards Jammu and Kashmir, the outstanding issue is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territories by Pakistan and China. The conflict narrative that you have suggested is partly externally driven and partly promoted by vested interests. The narrative that we seek to practice and promote is one of development without discrimination, where no one is left behind. In our parlance, it is known as ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
