NEW DELHI (Fast News) In a recent development, the Group of 20 Summit, hosted by India earlier this month, proved to be a resounding success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
His commitment to granting the African Union permanent membership status was fulfilled during the summit. Furthermore, the previously divided assembly unanimously endorsed a comprehensive final statement under his adept leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Geopolitical high India’s
This achievement was broadly recognized as a significant success in Modi’s foreign policy pursuits, marking a crucial juncture in India’s path toward becoming a prominent emerging global influence.
Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had anticipated capitalizing on India’s enhanced geopolitical standing in his United Nations address scheduled for Tuesday. However, unexpected circumstances have introduced a new challenge, forcing India’s to contend with a complex diplomatic dilemma as it prepares to address the General Assembly.
Canadian Prime Minister
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a startling assertion on Monday, suggesting potential involvement by India’s in the tragic death of a Sikh Canadian resident in a Vancouver suburb in June.
New Delhi
Trudeau stated that there were ‘credible allegations’ pointing to connections with New Delhi, a claim vehemently dismissed by India’s as baseless. India’s responded by suspending visas for Canadians, while Ottawa expressed potential plans to reduce consulate staff due to safety concerns.
This deterioration in relations between the once-affable nations marks a historic low point in their bilateral ties in recent years.
This development is likely to force New Delhi to confront a challenging diplomatic situation.
TENSIONS WERE ALREADY SIMMERING
G20 summit, Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi shared moments for photographs and exchanged smiles while paying tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. Yet, away from the public eye, tensions were quietly building up.
Indian President
Trudeau notably opted out of attending an official dinner hosted by the Indian president, and local media outlets reported that he received only a brief ‘pull aside’ from Modi instead of a full-fledged bilateral meeting.
To compound matters, a flight delay left Trudeau stranded in New Delhi for a grueling 36 hours.
After returning to Canada, Trudeau disclosed that he had conversations with Modi regarding the allegations during the G20 summit.
As India readies itself to speak at the United Nations, these allegations have loomed ominously over its G20 achievements,” commented Happy on Jacob, the founder of the Council for Strategic and Defense Research in New Delhi.
United Nations Security Council
India has long aspired to be on the esteemed United Nations Security Council. This ambition has been a consistent pursuit over several years. Simultaneously, India has not shied away from criticizing the international organization.
The United Nations Security Council, considered the heart of the UN system, comprises the victorious nations of the Second World War along with China,” noted Jacob.
He similarly emphasized that India believes this composition “fails to appropriately constitute the demographic, economic, and geopolitical dynamics of the prevailing era.” Among the alternative contributors of this one-of-a-kind organization are France, Russia, Britain, and the United States.
UN Security Council
In April, Jaishankar asserted that India, the world’s most populous nation with one of the fastest-growing economies among significant countries, could only be noticed for a while. He contended that the UN Security Council would eventually have to address the issue of granting India permanent membership.
Membership
Over the years, the United States, Britain, and India’s long-standing Cold War ally, Russia, have supported India’s aspiration for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
Nevertheless, bureaucratic obstacles within the UN have thus far prevented the expansion of the council. Furthermore, even if this situation were to change, China, India’s neighbouring regional rival, will likely wield its veto power to thwart such a request.
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INSTEAD OF THE UN, INDIA MAKES SOME END RUNS
Excluded from the United Nations’ most influential body, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strategically positioned India at the epicenter of a complex global political landscape.
On one front, New Delhi actively participates in Western-dominated groups such as the Quad and the G20.
At the same time, India aims to expand its presence within the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, both currently dominated by Russia and China.
Foreign Policy
This adept balancing act between Western alliances and engagements with other major powers characterizes India’s multifaceted foreign policy in a multipolar world.
India’s diplomatic clout has grown partly because it refrained from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
This stance has resonated with several neutral developing nations.
Moreover, Western nations, acknowledging India’s increasing role in balancing China’s power, have deepened their connections with Prime Minister Modi’s government. In the process, they have occasionally put aside worries about potential democratic challenges under his leadership.
Western Nations
In the initial aftermath, the response from Canada’s Western allies, including its most significant ally, the United States, was cautious. However, as the dispute escalates, Hindustan officials may ponder a critical question:
Could this recent international controversy endanger Hindustan burgeoning relations with Western nations?
National Security Adviser
After an initially subdued reaction, the White House has heightened its apprehensions. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan underlined, “There are no unique exemptions for actions of this nature, regardless of the nation involved.
Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed profound concern about the accusations on Friday and underscored the significance of Hindustan cooperating with Canada in the investigation.
India’s Role
Although no public evidence has been presented, a Canadian official disclosed to The Associated Press that the suspicion of Hindustan role in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, is grounded in the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada.
This surveillance included intelligence provided by a critical ally.
On Friday, the U.S. ambassador to Canada corroborated this assertion, stating that information shared through the intelligence-sharing alliance known as the ‘Five Eyes’ contributed to linking Hindustan to the assassination.
United Nations
Justin Trudeau held a news conference at the United Nations and engaged in meetings, although he won’t be representing his nation on Tuesday.
Michael Kugelman
For New Delhi, the upcoming U.N. meeting offers a potential opportunity. Hindustan and Canadian diplomats may have a chance to convene on the sidelines, with possible mediation from Washington, as suggested by Michael Kugelman. Canada’s delegation chair, Robert Rae, is scheduled to deliver the country’s remarks, following Hindustan statement by 10 positions
“To be clear, we should not anticipate foreign leaders avoiding or isolating Jaishankar at the U.N. General Assembly,” remarked Kugelman.
However, there is the potential for more heated exchanges if the disagreement is brought to the U.N. podium, which typically attracts a global audience of leaders.
World’s Largest Global Platforms
Nevertheless, Hindustan aims to prevent the Canada row from becoming a prominent sideshow, especially one that takes centre stage.
As Kugelman noted, such a scenario would divert attention from Hindustan intended accomplishments on one of the world’s largest global platforms.
