Knowldege and Diplomacy

Context: Recent launch of Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and export of COVID vaccines (Vaccine Maitri) demonstrate the diplomatic potential of India’s knowledge economy.

Base of technological success of space and pharmaceutical industry -

• Creation of ISRO in 1972
• Enactment of the Indian Patents Act, 1970

Examples to India’s declining knowledge diplomacy:

• Appeal of Education waned: Students from countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, no longer prefer India.
• South Korea sent economists to the Indian Planning Commission till the early 1960s.
• There were many activities where Indian assistance was sort earlier -
  • For e.g. at Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
  • Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) (1974) has acquired a global profile with business in Africa and Asia.
  • The development of dairy and livestock.

India’s knowledge economy: An Analysis

• Strengths:
  • Low-cost global provider of knowledge-based products: credit goes to the Indian engineering and scientific talent that pursues world-class standard at a fraction of cost.
  • Willingness of high-quality Indian scientists: to work in India- has allowed organization like ISRO and Serum Institute of India to do their work.
  • Familiarity with Indian language: and good quality of teaching in mathematics has enabled competitiveness in data processing and software services.
• Challenges:
  • Unilateral sanctions: imposed by the developed nations to deny Indian industry access to technology and markets.
  • Multilateral regime for intellectual property: under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation has thwarted indigenous technology development.
  • Weakened knowledge-based diplomacy: due to:
    • Flight of Indian talent: began in the 1970s and has sharply increased in recent years.
    • Competition from China: which is offering equally good, if not better quality, S&T products and services at a lower cost. In space, pharma, railways etc.
    • Lack of political and intellectual support: to the development of India’s knowledge base and an inadequate commitment to excellence.

Conclusion: Space and Pharma are at the apex of the narrow pyramid of the knowledge economy. Therefore, their success should not remain an exception and should filter down to other aspects of India’s soft power.