Mysuru: “India needs to augment its influence by taking note on current global phenomena,” said Prof. Aftab Kamal Pasha, former President, Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

He was speaking at the one-day seminar on “India’s Foreign Policy: Continuity and Change in 21st Century” organised by the Post-Graduation Department of International Relations, Mysuru, Maharaja’s College, in association with Vidyavardhaka Law College and Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Mysuru at Maharaja’s College Centenary Hall on Monday.

“India with its traditional values has adopted current foreign policy to become a puissant nation while India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru also advocated ancient values in his foreign policy. Good relations that India had with Soviet Union became weak after Cold War, thereafter India also made some changes in its foreign policy,” he said.

“From 1991 onwards, India has given emphasis for economic development and complementarily has given preference to diplomatic relations with Israel.  Relationship with America has improved and to build a powerful nation by keeping an eye on future, this is very important,” he said adding that even though India was not very influential from 1950 to 1970, it has contributed immensely by resolving many international conflicts.

“India’s history, culture and civilisation have aptly reflected in its foreign policy.  For this reason, Indian diplomats and policy-makers not only represent India but its entire civilisation. India’s ambassadors have great skills and India has been described as the Crown of Universe,” Prof. Pasha added.

Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, inaugurated the seminar. Prof. C.P. Sunitha, Principal, Maharaja’s College, presided.  Prof. K. S. Rangappa, former, VC, A. Madhavan, former diplomat and former Director of India International Centre, New Delhi and Dr. Bharathi Hiremath of PG Department of International Relations, were present.   

Since 1991, America has maintained its status as global leader in the midst of many impasses including economic crisis.  India has an opportunity globally to emerge as a puissant nation as America is facing multiple crisis. Peace and communal harmony are necessary for the development of a country. Our country should advance on the principle of Unity in Diversity. In recent years, our foreign policy has changed in accordance with the country’s economic reforms.  By taking progressive steps in relation to liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, measures have been taken for betterment of country’s economy.— Prof. A.K. Pasha