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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.

Trophy Turmoil

India’s victory over Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final was a masterclass in composure under pressure and a vivid reminder of why cricket is more than a sport on the subcontinent. Chasing a modest 147, India’s innings seemed destined for collapse when they slumped to 20 for 3. At that moment, the narrative could have swung entirely in Pakistan’s favour. Yet, against the odds, Tilak Varma delivered a sterling, unbeaten innings that rewrote the script, blending aggression with a calm hand rarely seen in such tense encounters. Verma’s performance was a reminder that cricketing genius often emerges in pressure-cooker recovery situations.


Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy tore through the Pakistan lineup by destroying their seeming invincibility at 107 for 1 to trigger a comprehensive collapse of the Pakistan lineup at 146 all out.


But the denouement of the contest off the field was even more telling than the drama on it. In the shadow of the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike, India had made it clear that they would not accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. The ACC attempted to offer an alternative, but Naqvi, in an extraordinary display of obstinacy, ordered the trophy withdrawn. For nearly an hour, Pakistan’s team remained locked in their dressing room while Indian players celebrated their victory on the field without the customary honours.


India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan throughout the tournament entirely correct. After the Pahalgam massacre, any semblance of camaraderie with a side representing a country actively indulging in hostile actions would have been inappropriate. Indian cricketers maintained their dignity throughout their games with Pakistan, never rising to their petty provocations on field and soundly trashing them 3-0 in the tournament. Small wonder that after the match, Prime Minister Modi, whilst congratulating the Indian team, said that the outcome was an ‘Operation Sindoor’ (India’s stunning military response to the Pahalgam strike) on the cricketing field as well.


Importantly, the conduct of the Indian team firmly signalled that they would not normalise relations with a team representing a country that continues to challenge India’s security and peace. Leading from the front on this count was Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav who announced he would donate his Asia Cup match fees to the Indian Army and victims of the Pahalgam strike.


This brings to fore the wisdom of staging an India-Pakistan match at all given Pahalgam still remains a raw wound in the collective Indian consciousness. Yet, the BCCI, in its pursuit of commercial spectacle and television ratings, pressed ahead with the fixture, exposing players to unnecessary emotional and reputational risk.


The decision to host India-Pakistan matches amidst ongoing regional volatility undermines the sanctity of sport. Yet, India’s cricketers emerged as true ambassadors of the sport. They combined technical brilliance with poise, navigating both the scoreboard and the shadow of geopolitics with finesse.


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