POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF DU HOSTS INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON INDIA’S CULTURE BASED FOREIGN POLICY IN SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST ASIA
In a pioneering event, the Department of Political Science, University of Delhi is hosting its seminar that delves into the nuances of India’s culture based foreign policy in South and South East Asia. The thought provoking inaugural session witnessed the coming together of not just prominent academicians but also experts from the government and governmental institutions of India as well as abroad. The inaugural session which was held on 11 March, Monday, began with a welcome address by Dr Avantika Singh from the department of Political Science, which was followed by a lamp lighting session and the DU Kulgeet which concluded with the dignitaries being presented with their memento, a Mithila painting and saplings.
The
session formally began with an introductory address by Prof Sanjeev Kumar HM,
an expert in the field of International Relations. He introduced the theme of
the seminar by emphasizing on the importance and relevance of soft power especially
culture and civilization. While the western civilization with Hegel and others
heralded its enlightenment with the proclamation of end of history for all
others, a century later, this civilization was put to its limits, facing a
crisis. Here he maintained how the Indian civilization and its culture, went beyond
the materialism and scientific approach to history to focus on artistic
creations, from Kalidas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and others that the west still
fails to comprehend. The Indian foreign policy which is on a path of revival
and revitalization, accentuates culture over the traditional territoriality and
cartography of the west. This culture and tradition therefore signifies the
resilience and relevance of Indian culture and culture based foreign policy for
not just its neighbours but the rest of the world.
His address was followed by the unveiling of
the book of abstracts by the dignitaries.
Prof Yogesh Singh the Honorable Vice Chancellor
of Delhi University, graced the occasion with his address. Him belonging to the
computer science stream, began the address by providing an outsider perspective
to the theme. He enumerates the 19 countries belong to the geo-special area of
South and South East Asia, wherein the former once shared a unified system of
administration and the latter sharing many cultural traditions with India. He
focused on the relevance of culture, commerce and connectivity in which Indian
foreign policy shines through, to which the international acknowledgement and
popularity of Buddhism, Bollywood, Yoga, Ayurveda, commerce and communication.
He proclaims India, as the “forebearer of culture”, wherein the country is
experience even beyond the territory of it, (Bharat ke bahar, Bharat ke
anubhuti). This popularity and influence of the Indian culture is due to its
nature of respect and tolerance, ‘the way of life which lets others live’,
which was also echoed in the G20 mantra, One world, One Family and One Future emanating
from the Vasudeva Kutumbakam philosophy. This emphasis on culture and tradition
was complemented by the uncompromisable when it comes to the safety, unity and
integrity of the country. In the contemporary times, India’s material
capabilities are solidified by the Digital India and Unified payments system
amongst others. He concluded his speech with a quote from A B Vajpayee, the
former prime minister of India, reinstating the cultural and civilizational
uniqueness and relevance of India.
The keynote address was delivered by Anil
Trigunayat, the Chairman of the Confederation of Education Excellence, who
began his address by emphasizing how the soft power and cultural influence of
the country which is based on its civilizational heritage, tolerance and mutual
respect. He goes on to elaborate on the 4 wheels on which Indian Foreign Policy
is based. These include the value based foreign policy, that is based upon
sharing and not imposition, whose voice echoes in the Global South debates. The
second component being the philosophy of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, wherein it is
not based on individual and the other but the entire world as a family. The
third component of the wheel is the global role played by India during the
Covid Pandemic wherein India sent across vaccinations to its neighbours and
extended neighbours and in the second phase the aid extended, by the same
neighbours signifying the importance and cooperation between the nations.
Finally, the concept of Vishwa Mitra and Vishwaguru, which already has
reverberations across the globe. He provided anecdotes for the same.
The address was followed by an address by Kumar Tuhin, the Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He
raised questions on culture based foreign policy delineating the difference
between cultural diplomacy and cultural foreign policy wherein the former takes
a broader understanding of implementation whereas the latter is in a language
of privacy. Secondly to the question of whether cultural diplomacy is
sufficient for foreign policy and if there are to be other factors, how much
weightage does culture carry, he answers it by the term of ‘smart power’, a
harmonious and effective mix of hard and soft power. Finally he enumerated on the variables and
changing nature of India’s foreign policy and the role India has always played
in global sphere, from NAM to a more pragmatic policy barred of ideology which
focusses on national importance. The second part of his address was a narration
of anecdotes and testimonies of the work ICCR does in various countries, which
specific references to the South Asian and Asian Countries.
It was the address Thirpath Mongkolnavin,
the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission from the Royal Thai Embassy that
followed. His address was a narration on the cooperation between the countries
and the various areas and spheres wherein there are joint exercises especially,
cultural ones. They include the performative arts (dance, music, pianists,
exhibition, seminars), libraries and music festivals wherein there is an
exploration of various literature, musical and artistic traditions. He
emphasized on the religious significance, of Buddhism and the efforts of both governments
in the maintenance of statues and temples in providing a spiritual space for
individuals of both countries. This spiritual significance is also reverberated
in the particular Thai traditional telling of Ramayana, ‘Ramakien’, signifying
the importance of Hinduism as well. He concluded by encouraging the audience
members to join in and take part for the cultural activities, such as Namaste
Thailand event, exchange programs as well as to visit the land.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of
thanks by the head of the Political Science dept, Prof Sangit Kumar Ragi. He
addressed the audience with a note on the theme of the seminar and the Indian
way of live, he calls it, “the non-anthropocentric vision of the cosmos”, wherein
the universal family conception goes beyond man to encompass whole cosmos. His
short and brief address, maintained the importance of welfare for all which all
Indic traditions from Buddhism, Jainism to Hinduism emphases, which renders the
Indian culture and civilization as indestructible. He not only maintained the
importance of cultural diplomacy but also material capabilities, including
military and economy. One must not be at the cost of the other, but a
harmonious balance of all, which would lead to better prosperity of the nation
as well as the entire cosmos. He
proceeded to thank each and every dignitary, everyone in the audience, the
university support with special mention to the coordinator and co-ordinator, Dr
Koiremba Singh and Dr Abhishek Choudhary along with the other faculties and
students.