Distinguished Leaders,
Excellencies, Delegates,
Ladies & Gentlemen
After three days of conversations, we have almost reached the end of the Raisina Dialogue 2023.
It is my privilege to deliver the valedictory remarks in the presence of this esteemed audience.
As a Minister of State, I hold dual charge- in the Ministry of External AFfairs, and in the Ministry of Education. I feel today that I am representing both aspects in perfect harmony: Because the last three days have been highly educational and insightful, especially with regard to geopolitics and geostrategy.
The theme of the Raisina Dialogue 2023: Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence- is indicative of the increasing faultlines and fragilities in the global ecosystem.
Our world is undergoing a seismic transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have been overcome, but our outlook for the future has been dimmed by persistent challenges- of war, conflict, terrorism and geopolitical tensions, economic downturns, natural disasters and pervasive challenges in access to essential commodities such as food and energy.
But within crises, we have to find opportunities.
It would not be wrong to say that humanity has emerged stronger after every crisis- by learning lessons and making course corrections.
It in this spirit, that India’s G20 Presidency, in the words of our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, aims to be a Presidency of ‘healing, harmony and hope’.
Friends,
I would like to delve briefly, on why there is confidence in India, that the tempest can be overcome, and how India would serve to be a lighthouse.
Drawing from India’s civilizational view that considers all living beings, and even inanimate things, as composed of the same five elements, India seeks to promote a universal sense of ‘one-ness’.
For its part, India stands ready to share its experiences and expertise- towards decentralizing and de-risking globalization. India has deployed game changing digital public goods in universal identification, financial payments, direct benefit transfer, digital health, commerce, industry and logistics. We would be happy to work with our partners to deploy these solutions towards the betterment of humanity all across the World.
Similarly, India’s development partnership record speaks for itself. We have strived for development cooperation that is demand-driven, transparent, empowerment oriented and environment friendly; while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Our capacity building programmes and First Responder activities in case of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief situations are also noteworthy.
The International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and now Mission LiFE, are all endeavours we have come up with to build a better World. And of course, during Covid, we walked the talk of international cooperation by providing vaccines to over a 100 partners and medicines to over 150 countries.
India is also keen for an exchange of best practices between our countries. There is plenty that we can all learn from each other. India looks forward to simple, scalable and sustainable solutions from all over the World, which can ensure the betterment of our people.
Friends,
India’s foreign policy priorities are determined by the people of the country. Citizens from all over the country, its cities and villages- their views, aspirations and choices- drive our policy making.
The 30 million strong Indian diaspora also plays a significant role in our foreign policy.
For democracies such as India, this people-centric process, and the values of accommodation and representation, only strengthens our character, and makes our external engagements sustainable and harmonizing.
In short, India is well-placed to act as a catalyst for transformative ideas and solutions. The influential voices and thought leaders that the Raisina Dialogue 2023 has brought together is a testament to this platform’s ability to find answers for human-centric development, which is the need of the hour.
My Dear Friends,
At Raisina 2023, we have examined a plethora of issues that truly matter to us.
Over the course of three days, we have broadly deliberated over five thematic pillars (i) Neo Insurgence: The political upheavals, rivalries and ambitions that cast a shadow on the promise of a peaceful world (ii) Amoral Mosaic: The Partnerships, Alliances and coalitions that can nimbly navigate the turbulent multilateral waters, and provide stability and new ideas to the global governance architecture (iii) Chaotic Codes: In which we discussed how to imagine and design a global governance partnership to manage the technological transformations of our times (iv) Pernicious Passports: In which we discussed approaches to preserve our global commons, and overcome global bads like pandemics, climate change, poverty and deprivation (v) Grey Rhinos: In which we discussed the threats and challenges to democracy, and measures to make democracies more resilient and responsive.
Many conversations and exchanges would have taken place not only from the panels and discussions, but over informal gatherings, meetings, networking lunches and dinners. I am confident that all the participants of Raisina Dialogue return to their home countries enriched with ideas, network and experience.
Friends,
The Raisina Dialogue 2023 witnessed the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of the Industry, Technology Leaders, Academia, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth.
??Over 2500 participants joined the Dialogue in-person and the proceedings reached millions across various digital platforms.
On behalf of the Government of India, and the Ministry of External Affairs, I thank you all for your active participation.
This year’s edition assumes special significance coming against the backdrop of India’s G20 Presidency. I am glad to note that this was the biggest Raisina Dialogue held till date, in scale and participation.
I would like to congratulate our partners ORF for their relentless efforts over the past 8 years, and particularly, over the past few months, in realizing the vision of making Raisina Dialogue one of the most prominent conferences on international affairs.
I am glad the conference brought together voices from all geographies – be it Asia, Africa, America, Europe, Oceania, etc. It is this broad-based representation of global voices and opinions that has made the discussions at Raisina Dialogue 2023 open, meaningful and outcome oriented.
A special mention – to team MEA’s Policy Planning & Research Division – for ensuring that the Raisina Dialogue continues to be a leading platform for osmosis of ideas and long-term solutions.
With that, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all once again for being a part of the Raisina family.
Have a pleasant evening ahead.
Namaskar!
Jai Hind!
