In 2023, India became the global South’s leading nation. The world took notice of India as the rising power when it hosted the G20 meeting in New Delhi and refused to give in to pressure from the West to lift sanctions against Russia.
Along with making great strides in containing the China threat, India has signed important defense agreements with a number of countries, including the United States and France.
These are India’s top five geopolitical triumphs as 2023 draws to a close.
G20 summit
It was the largest geopolitical victory for India in 2023. Not only did India successfully host the summit, but it also managed to bring together leaders with widely held opinions on one platform to make a message. India emerged as the global South’s voice. Additionally, because the African Union was granted permanent membership in the G20 for the first time, it emerged to represent the interests of the African countries.
Middle East Economic Corridor
It is India’s second-largest geopolitical win of the year. The Middle East Economic Corridor has come to an end as a result of the conflict in Gaza that was brought on by Hamas’ terrorist strike in Israel. However, that is untrue. There is continuing consideration for the Middle East Corridor. Every nation tasked with constructing the infrastructure is still at it.
China’s consent to continue patrolling at LAC
On May 5, 2020, the People’s Liberation Army of China committed a transgression in Eastern Ladakh. On June 15, 2020, there was a full blowout in Galwan that resulted in soldier losses for both China and India. The two sides have had 20 conversations trying to come up with a solution.
Galwan, Pangong Tso, and Gogra Hot Springs are among them. India declared that unless the Indian side is permitted to patrol, there can be no normalcy. China refused to listen until the 17–18th round of commanders level meetings. However, as of October 11, during the 20th dialogue, China has consented to permit Indian forces to patrol.
India-US move on technology
On January 31, 2023, national security advisor Ajit Doval and US counterpart Jake Sullivan drew it up. The lengthy text discusses the US-Indian relationship in space exploration, quantum computing, 6G, and other areas. However, the most noteworthy aspect was the complete technology transfer of the GE 414 to India. In essence, it indicates that General Electric of the US will provide technology to India so that it can produce GE 414 engines, which will power the LCA, Mark II.
Indo-French defence cooperation
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14. In 2024, the Republic Day parade will include the French president as the special guest. Two Memorandums of Understanding were signed while he was there. One was at Kolkata between the GRSE and the French Naval Group.
The French Naval Group and Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) signed the second Memorandum of Understanding. According to the MoUs, both GRSE and MDL were able to develop, produce, and design surface combatants and submarines.
