GS2 PYQ 2019 (Mains Answer Writing): Marginalised Nations | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

"The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalized Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order" Elaborate. (UPSC GS2 2019)

The Non-Aligned Movement was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the other regions of the world and at the height of the cold war. During the early days of the movement, its actions were a key factor in the decolonization process, which led later to the attainment of freedom and independence by many Countries and to the founding of many new sovereign states. India, the place of origin of ideologies like “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, “Sarve Jan Sukhino Bhavantu”, has been a champion of the oppressed and marginalized nations also known as the Third World.
During our struggle for independence, India stood with oppressed and marginalized nations condemned the actions of British in South East Asia; Thus India had sustained its image as a leader of the oppressed and marginalized nations.
But there is a shift in India’s approach towards its Strategic foreign policy perspective: 

• 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship-granted Nepalese, the same economic and educational opportunities as citizens in India. 
• 1949 Bhutan and India Treaty: Bhutan agreed to let India “guide” its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs. Also India has been consistently supporting Bhutan’s Five Year Plans financially. 
• India has been an ardent supported for the cause of Palestine before and after Independence 
• Economic prosperity is now seen as the key to India’s attainment of great power status and it is the driving argument behind its current world view. 
• India played a major role in the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan thereby safeguarding the people from atrocities committed by the erstwhile West Pakistan. 
• This trend was observed in NAM summit Havana 2006, where India focused on anti-terrorism, inclusive globalization, nuclear disarmament, energy security, investing in Africa and such issues which are vital to India’s global agenda but not necessarily top priorities for developing countries. 
• India’s security challenges are mostly structural in nature: managing the China threat, the US partnership. The fact that India straddles the Indian Ocean imposes on us the responsibility to ensure the security of the sea-lanes of communication from Persian Gulf to the Malacca Straits India aiming to secure greater market access for services and pushing for easing restrictions in the sector. For example, focus on overcoming deadlock in Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) with European countries. 
• India emerging as a new global leader has significantly contributed to the infrastructural developments in Afghanistan like Salma Dam, Zaranj Delaram Highway , reconstruction of Parliament , Cricket stadium etc. 
• Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme , a bilateral assistance programme run by the Government of India to ensure the development of under developing and Least Developed Countries through infrastructure development and capacity building 

Conclusion 
Blocs and alliances are less relevant today and the world is moving towards a loosely arranged order. India’s muscle flexing approach towards its neighbors and regional organizations like SAARC is an example of it. And it’s involvement in organizations like QUAD, it’s focus on Indo Pacific regional growth with US, and to counter the threat of China has been on its strategic palate. Modern India prefers to articulate and prioritize it’s national interests over the collective interests of developing countries.

Topics covered - QUAD, NAM, China-USA relations