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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

India's multi-align diplomacy triumphs

New Delhi: West Asia has transformed into a battlefield rained by fireballs. Seas or land, everywhere echoes the roar of cataclysmic explosions, flickering flames, and swirling smoke clouds. et amid such adversity, Indian ships boldly waving the Tricolour navigate the strait undeterred, entering the Arabian Sea. More remarkably, Iran has sealed its airspace to global flights but opened it for the safe evacuation of Indians.   This scene evokes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's memorable 2014...

India's multi-align diplomacy triumphs

New Delhi: West Asia has transformed into a battlefield rained by fireballs. Seas or land, everywhere echoes the roar of cataclysmic explosions, flickering flames, and swirling smoke clouds. et amid such adversity, Indian ships boldly waving the Tricolour navigate the strait undeterred, entering the Arabian Sea. More remarkably, Iran has sealed its airspace to global flights but opened it for the safe evacuation of Indians.   This scene evokes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's memorable 2014 interview. He stated that "there was a time when we counted waves from the shore; now the time has come to take the helm and plunge into the ocean ourselves."   In a world racing toward conflict, Modi has proven India's foreign policy ranks among the world's finest. Guided by 'Nation First' and prioritising Indian safety and interests, it steadfastly embodies  'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' , the world as one family.   Policy Shines Modi's foreign policy shines with such clarity and patience that even as war flames engulf West Asian nations, Indians studying and working there return home safe. In just 13 days, nearly 100,000 were evacuated from Gulf war zones, mostly by air, some via Armenia by road. PM Modi talked with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to secure Iran's airspace for the safe evacuation of Indians, a privilege denied to any other nation. Additionally, clearance was granted for Indian ships carrying crude oil and LPG to pass safely through the Hormuz Strait. No other country's vessels are navigating these waters, except for those of Iran's ally, China. The same strategy worked in the Ukraine-Russia war: talks with both presidents ensured safe corridors, repatriating over 23,000 students and businessmen. Iran, Israel, or America, all know India deems terrorism or war unjustifiable at any cost. PM Modi amplified anti-terror campaigns from UN to global platforms, earning open support from many nations.   Global Powerhouse Bolstered by robust foreign policy and economic foresight, India emerges as a global powerhouse, undeterred by tariff hurdles. Modi's adept diplomacy yields notable successes. Contrast this with Nehru's era: wedded to Non-Aligned Movement, he watched NAM member China seize vast Ladakh territory in war. Today, Modi's government signals clearly, India honors friends, spares no foes. Abandoning non-alignment, it embraces multi-alignment: respecting sovereignties while prioritizing human welfare and progress. The world shifts from unipolar or bipolar to multipolar dynamics.   Modi's policy hallmark is that India seal defense deals like the S-400 and others with Russia yet sustains US friendship. America bestows Legion of Merit; Russia, its highest civilian honor, Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. India nurtures ties with Israel, Palestine, Iran via bilateral talks. Saudi Arabia stands shoulder-to-shoulder across fronts; UAE trade exceeds $80 billion. UN's top environment award, UNEP Champions of the Earth, graces India, unlike past when foreign nations campaigned against us on ecological pretexts.   This policy's triumph roots in economic empowerment. India now ranks the world's fourth-largest economy, poised for third in 1-2 years. The 2000s dubbed it 'fragile'; then-PM economist Dr. Manmohan Singh led. Yet  'Modinomics'  prevailed. As COVID crippled supply chains, recession loomed, inflation soared and growth plunged in developed countries,  Modinomics  made India the 'bright star.' Inflation stayed controlled, growth above 6.2 per cent. IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas praised it, advising the world to learn from India.

Married to the Army First!

Over the years, she realised we had sworn allegiance to the Olive Greens well before we married our soulmates.

It was the third week of August 1999. Our Assault Team had just returned to Jodhpur by train after three months in the Batalik Sub-Sector of Ladakh during the Kargil Conflict. Since late June, we had been operating independently under an infantry division, detached from our unit, which had been moved to Rajasthan in anticipation of the localised conflict escalating across the International Boundary.


Seeing my wife and little daughter, barely a year and a half, felt surreal. The first televised war in India had clearly taken a toll on my better half, though the relief in her eyes was palpable. She had borne the brunt of the uncertainties wars cast on loved ones, especially with a small child to rear. Our little girl, of course, was bemused to see her father, as her reactions showed.


After freshening up at home, it was time to head to Battalion Headquarters, meet our Commanding Officer (CO), and give him an in-person rundown of operations from late June to the ceasefire on 26 July 1999. First-hand accounts always provide a clearer picture than Situation Reports (SITREPs) sent through military channels. We had been operating in such a remote area that even basic line communication with Battalion Headquarters, nearly 1500 km away, was absent. Today’s briefing to the CO was thus crucial. And since our Assault Team had done the Unit proud, my Second-in-Command, Major Rajesh Sheoran (my right hand through those times), and I were eager to meet the CO and our fellow officers and men at the earliest. It was not about basking in glory; it was about announcing that we had all returned by the grace of Maa Durge Bhawani, heads held high.


Before I left home, my wife told me that she was preparing my favourite “Rajma-Chawal” and she hoped that I would return for a timely meal. I nodded affirmatively as I said goodbye.


After an engrossing interaction with the CO, we met our other comrades. The CO reminded the Adjutant that Major Rajesh Sheoran had not been pipped formally. He was promoted to Major's rank a couple of months ago, but the customary pipping by the CO and Subedar Major could not be done. The adjutant promptly organised it. And as is the tradition, we moved to the Officers' Mess for an impromptu "Pre-Lunch Drinks (PLD)".


The "Band of Brothers" from our unit were together after a long time. As we celebrated Rajesh Sheoran's much-deserved promotion, we also caught up on our individual and collective battle experiences and everything under the sun that had happened since May 1999. The PLD continued into lunchtime. The Dining-in members of the Mess asked the married officers to stay on for lunch. A request that was impossible to turn down. The CO and everyone stayed on, and so did I.


Back then, there were no telephones in our residences. And I did not have the heart to send someone three kilometres from the unit to inform my wife about the unplanned delay in my return. "I will tell her when I get home," I said to myself.


It was 4:30 pm when I reached my residence. She was still waiting for me and had not taken a morsel. For her, this wait was probably as difficult to fathom as the wait when I was far away in the barren Ladakh mountains. She was visibly disappointed since she expected me to keep the date, at least this time.


I did tell her the reason, but I probably could not explain the rationale well. The bonhomie and camaraderie amongst those who go to battle together is to be experienced and understood, but perhaps difficult to explain, I discerned.


Over the years, she realised that we had sworn our allegiance to the Olive Greens well before we got married to our soulmates. We were "Married to the Army First”!!


As time went by, she not only absolved me for not keeping that afternoon date but also remained my pillar of strength and source of inspiration through the rough and tumble of life in the Army till I hung up my boots. She, too, was married to the Olive Greens!!


Post Script: Major Rajesh Sheoran rose to the rank of a Brigadier. With his astounding leadership qualities, positivity, spirited attitude, and heart of gold, he touched so many lives within and outside Uniform. Unfortunately, he left us too soon for his heavenly abode on 10 June 2025 while still in service. He shall always be remembered. Rest in peace, my brother.

(The writer is an Indian Army veteran and Vice President CRM, ANSEC HR services Ltd. He is a skydiver and a specialist in Security and Risk management. Views personal.)

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