THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar,

• Dean of Research, Prof. (Dr.) Arpita Gupta,

• Prof. Ambreen Khan,

• Registrar, Prof. Sridhar Patnaik Ji,

• Distinguished faculty members, guests and my dear students

We are living, through a period of significant, geopolitical transformation.                  

The international order is, being reshaped by, strategic competition, regional conflicts, and the growing contest, over economic and resource security. 

Countries are reassessing, their partnerships. They are diversifying, their supply chains, and looking for reliable economic, and strategic partners.

In this changing environment, India occupies, a particularly important position. We are at a geopolitical, sweet spot. We have the scale, of a major economy, the demographic strength, of a young nation, growing techno-logical capabilities,       

and established relationships, across different centres of global power. More importantly, we have the ability, to engage with countries, that may not necessarily agree, with one another.

India’s foreign policy, has always been guided, by the pursuit, of national interest. Strategic autonomy, gives us the freedom, to assess international developments, independently, develop partnerships, and take decisions, based on our national priorities. It is not about standing apart, from the world. It is about engaging, with the world, from a position of confidence, and capability.

    My experience as India’s Ambassador, to the United States, gave me an opportunity, to witness the evolution, of India’s international standing, at close quarters. The India-US relationship, has expanded considerably, encompassing defence, trade, education, energy, science, and technology.

What is particularly significant, is that India’s partnerships, are not limited, to any one country, or grouping. We engage with the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia and countries across the Global South. This gives India, a distinctive diplomatic reach.                                                                           

 At a time when international relationships, are becoming more complicated, the ability to maintain, meaningful engagement with different players is itself, a strategic asset.

The current global situation, has reinforced, this importance. Conflicts, economic uncertainty, and disruptions to energy, and supply chains, are affecting countries, across continents. The world is looking for, dependable partners, that can contribute, to stability in critical sectors, provide economic opportunities, and help manage the consequences, of geopolitical disruptions. India has both, the capacity and the credibility, to play a larger role.

One of the clearest illustrations, of this was, India’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Vaccine Maitri, India supplied, more than 30 crore vaccine doses, to 99 countries, and two United Nations entities. India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, became an important international asset, at a time, when access to vaccines, was a major global concern.

This was more than a, public health initiative. It demonstrated, how manufacturing capacity, scientific capability, and diplomatic engagement, can reinforce one another. 

   India’s contribution, to global healthcare, including its position, as a major supplier of affordable medicines, and vaccines, gives it an important role, in international health security. 

   Our demographic profile, is another major advantage. Approximately 68 per cent, of India’s population, is in the working-age group, and our median age, is around 29 years. This gives India a substantial pool of young people, entering the workforce, bringing with them, the potential to contribute to manufacturing, services, research, technology, and entrepreneurship.

But demographics alone, do not create, geopolitical influence. The real opportunity, lies in converting this demographic strength, into skilled human capital. 

India’s young engineers, scientists, doctors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers, are increasingly connected, with global industries. Our talent is present, in universities, technology companies, financial institutions, and research centres, across the world.

The challenge is to create, more opportunities, for advanced skills, research, innovation, and high-quality employment, while making India, an integral part of global production, and innovation networks.

Technology, will be one of the principal determinants, of geopolitical power, in the coming decades. Semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, space technology, telecommunications, and cybersecurity, are no longer simply, commercial sectors. They are strategic capabilities.

India has an opportunity, to become an important partner, in these areas. Our digital public infrastructure, particularly digital identity, and payments, has demonstrated, how technology can be deployed, at scale. 

      As our Honorable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji mentioned, during the Semi-Con India Conference “The world needs a reliable supply chain. Who can be a more trusted partner, than the world’s largest democracy?” This statement reflects, an important reality. India is not simply, seeking a place, in global supply chains; it has the potential, to become an indispensable contributor, to them.

This also brings us, to India’s economic opportunity. Global companies, are increasingly looking, to diversify manufacturing, and reduce excessive dependence, on few sources of production.                                           

Our objective must be, to move up the value chain, from being a major consumer, and service provider, to becoming a producer, innovator, and exporter of advanced goods, and technologies.

Another important dimension, is India’s relationship, with the Global South. Many developing countries, are seeking affordable technology, reliable healthcare, infrastructure, investment, and access to international markets. We can share our expertise, facilitate technology partnerships, and help build capabilities, rather than, merely provide assistance.

Our engagement with major powers, and our credibility, across developing economies, place us in a position, to connect, different parts of the international system. This is particularly relevant, during periods of crisis, when communication between countries, becomes more difficult. India’s ability to maintain relationships, across different geopolitical groupings, can create opportunities, for engagement, protect our interests, and contribute to addressing, wider international challenges.

Ultimately, India’s geopolitical influence, will depend on, how effectively we translate our strengths, into capabilities. 

We need, continued investment in education, research, infrastructure, defence manufacturing, energy security, and advanced technology. We must create opportunities, for our young people, and ensure that our industries, are globally competitive.

India’s strength lies in, the combination of its scale, talent, economic potential, and diplomatic reach. We have the ability to work, with different countries, without making our partnerships, dependent on one another. We have the capacity, to contribute to global healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and economic resilience. And we have a growing generation, that can take, these capabilities further.

The world is changing rapidly. India must approach, this moment with ambition, confidence, and a clear understanding, of its national interests. Our role should not be, confined to adapting to, the decisions of others. We must participate, in shaping the rules, institutions, technologies, and economic partnerships, that will define the international order, in the years ahead.

India’s opportunity is, not simply, to find its place, in the emerging world. It is to help shape, that world.

Thank You.

Jai Hind.