In an insightful and wide-ranging address at the launch of Dr. Ram Madhav’s book The New World: 21st Century Global Order and India, Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, shared his reflections on the evolving contours of the global order, India’s role within it, and the intellectual richness embedded in the country’s civilizational legacy.
Drawing from India’s civilizational roots, Shri Dhankhar underlined the nation’s age-old commitment to dialogue and mutual respect. “In our Vedic tradition, the fundamentals are clear and non-negotiable: respect the other point of view. More often than not, I have found that the other point of view is the correct one.”
Discussing The New World, the Vice President lauded Dr. Madhav’s “rigorous documentation and incisive critique of the cratering liberal order.” He noted that the book reminds him of Paul Kennedy’s The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers and directly counters George Tanham’s flawed notion that India lacked strategic thinking due to its Hindu philosophical base. “With Dr. Ram Madhav’s volume, Tanham stands corrected. He couldn’t be more wrong.”
India’s diplomatic imagination, the Vice President said, is not a postcolonial phenomenon but a continuum. “From Raj Dharma in the Mahabharata to Mandal theory in Kautilya’s Arthashastra, and the Ashokan edicts to KM Panikkar’s vision during WWII, India has long theorised about strategic environments. The idea that India is new to global statecraft is ahistorical.”
Referring to Panikkar, he noted, “He imagined India as both a maritime and continental actor. Today, that vision is being realised. India seeks not dominance, but a fair, equitable, and peaceful order.”
“The world today,” Shri Dhankhar said, “is governed not by lofty declarations but by assertive realism.” Quoting Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, he observed, “Peace comes from strength. Sovereignty is best secured when we are ever ready for war.”
He acknowledged Dr. Madhav’s lament over the decline of multilateralism: “He prescribes that India must give up romanticism, focus on economic growth, and assert strategic interests. I could not agree more.”
Bharat, he asserted, is no longer just a country of potential—it is a country of performance. “From digital to physical infrastructure, from research to education, India has been single-mindedly dedicating itself to showcasing its strength. Over 500 million Indians have entered the banking system. Our digital public infrastructure is a model for the world.”
He also lauded India’s G20 presidency for giving a voice to the Global South and for successfully advocating for the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. “It was a game-changing decision,” he declared.
Touching upon India’s calibrated response to cross-border terrorism, he said: “Our actions were precise, sparing civilians and targeting only terrorists. This embodies our philosophy of Dharma Yudh.”
He cautioned against orchestrated internal challenges aimed at disturbing Bharat’s civilizational character. “Our identity, rooted in a 5000-year-old value system, is not negotiable. We must preserve it.”
He reminded the audience that inclusivity has always been the civilizational bedrock of Bharat. “No one in the world can give us lessons on inclusivity. Bharat has practised it for centuries.”
During the pandemic, India emerged as a global leader. “When the world turned inward, India turned outward. We became the pharmacy of the world. We offered digital infrastructure as a public good. We led by example, not by proclamation.”
The Vice President highlighted the need for convergence in India’s intellectual discourse. “The political temperature must come down. Dialogue between parties and think tanks is imperative. India’s rise must be accompanied by a strategic, thoughtful, and united intellectual effort.”
In closing, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar echoed a message of optimism and resolve. “Bharat is not a dream. Bharat is our destiny. Our rise is unstoppable, our purpose is clear, and our unity is non-negotiable.”
He concluded with stirring words: “Nation first is not optional. Rashtradharma is our identity. Bharatiyata is our essence. The rise of Bharat will be peaceful, powerful, and historical—and all of us have a role in making it so.”
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