Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Thursday that India remains committed to engaging like-minded nations to nurture and sustain global peace, stability and harmony.
Interacting with the participants of inaugural International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) at Upa-Rashtrapati Niwas here, he emphasised that the rise of Bharat in economy and technology is with “the greatest assurance to world peace, harmony and global order.
This two-week programme comprising international delegates from 21 countries and 8 Indian officers is being organised by National Defence College.
In his address, Dhankhar asserted that India was no longer a nation with potential or a sleeping giant as some indicated; it is on the rise and the rise is unstoppable. “India’s extraordinary growth story transcends skeptics, exemplifying visionary leadership, inclusive development and unwavering perseverance,” he added.
Highlighting that India’s unprecedented rise stands out amidst today’s dynamic geopolitics, the VP stated that with an expanding economy, effective diplomacy and growing soft power, the world looks to India for catalyzing an affirmative ecosystem for peace.
He described the IN-STEP course as a significant initiative in this direction.
Describing global peace and security as fundamental to growth, the Vice-President asserted that peace is best secured from a position of strength. Ever preparedness for war is the safest passage to a peaceful environment, he added.
Noting that conflagrations in any part of the world impact global economy and supply chains beyond confronting nations, the VP emphasised that solution to such conflagrations lies in diplomacy and dialogue.
Highlighting that “isolation approach is now a matter of the past”, Dhankhar expressed the need for nations to engage in meaningful discourse in these turbulent times.