Adding Heft To Diplomacy With Some Help From Science

Context: The pandemic gives India a unique space to mainstream science and technology in its domestic and foreign policies

Historical evolution of political development of Science and Technology (S&T) in India:

• After independence: PM Jawahar Lal Nehru sought international scientific advancements for domestic development, added emphasis on averseness to inter­state rivalries.
  • Met with mixed results as the United States (US) sought to curb its ambitions in critical spheres such as its nuclear and space programmes.
• Pro-active assertion of interests: by establishing the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser in 1999 and targeted to become a net provider of development assistance.
• In the 21st Century:
  • Increased association with developed nations: like the US for (development of nuclear and space technology), occasioned by the rise of China.
  • Strategic partnerships with substantial science and technology components: with United Arab Emirates, Canada, South Korea, Australia, France and Russia.

Role of S&T in India’s diplomacy:

• In line with national interest: Science and Technology Policy 2003 and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 related international S&T cooperation with national interest.
• Diplomatic engagements: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been categorical in placing science and technology at the forefront of the country’s diplomatic engagement.
• Departmental structuring:  Ministry of External Affairs has seen a restructuring with a 
  • Cyber Diplomacy Division; 
  • E-Governance & Information Technology Division
  • New Emerging & Strategic Technologies Division.
• Vaccine diplomacy: ‘Vaccine Maitri’ campaign aims at provisioning COVID-19 vaccines to countries both near to and away from its immediate neighbourhood.
  • • India’s COVID­19 response also came closely aligned with its Neighbourhood First, Act East, Indo­Pacific and Look West policies.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: attempts to secure maximum self-reliance through capacity building and creating an environment where science and technology can answer global and domestic challenges

Way forward: for enhanced diplomacy through S&T

• Improve S&T research:  by Increasing financial apportionment and increasing participation of states, universities and private sector.
• Bridging the intellectual divide: Create awareness about foreign policy objectives among India’s young scientists and technologists.