India’s global image soars several notches 

Weeks after China announced its intention to block India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), South Block did not rest. With the NSG membership in sight, Prime Minister Modi embarked upon his hurricane five nation tours where India’s quest was aggressively pursued. Notably, the tour itinerary was made with care to include nations like Switzerland and Mexico besides Afghanistan, Qatar and US as they are considered ‘non-proliferation hardliners’ who had reservations on India’s membership in the past.

Undoubtedly, it has been a bumpy ride for India to get the membership of exclusive clubs like the NSG, MTCR, Wassenar Group because New Delhi remains outside the no proliferation umbrella. However, as India got lucky with the Missile Technology Control Regime membership after tough diplomatic negotiations, her hopes to get into the NSG have gone a step closer.

The NSG membership is important for India for three reasons. One, she can have a say in steering the flow of nuclear commerce. Two, New Delhi can ensure that nuclear material used for bombs does not seep out of the exclusive club and last, it would significantly expand her atomic energy sector.

True, India’s bid to bag NSG membership seems to have rattled Pakistan badly for it thinks that if New Delhi is granted membership, it would tip the balance of power in South Asia against Islamabad. Thus, it has also pushed forward its application which is backed by China, notwithstanding questions over its proliferation record.

Even as India’s membership to the group hangs in a limbo, Modi’s recent visit has done its best by securing green flags from Switzerland and Mexico. And in this regard, this whirlwind tour can be seen as a success. Besides attempting to secure the NSG membership bid, there have been some special attractions and takeaways from all the places Modi visited as it bolstered India’s global image considerably.

First, in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Salma Dam which will irrigate hundreds of villages besides generating power. Financed and built by India, the Dam underlines New Delhi’s commitment to stay invested in the peaceful development of Afghanistan despite Pakistan’s antipathy and its evil designs on the troubled nation. Also, India’s decision to develop the Chabahar port as a trade and transit corridor to break Kabul’s land locked status is yet another goodwill gesture to help a friend in need.

Second, in Qatar Modi did the balancing act, renewing ties with the Sunni nation after his recent foray into Shia Iran. Besides, Qatar is a major player in the energy market, supplying liquefied natural gas to India which is now the world's fourth-largest energy consumer. Third, the Switzerland stopover was aimed at securing that country’s support for India’s NSG membership. Along with it, Modi also pushed the Swiss for active cooperation in unearthing black money lying hidden in secret Swiss accounts. Fourth the Modi-Obama meeting seemed to nail the Paris Climate Accord by 2017 along-with breaking a deal over operationalization of the civil nuclear agreement.

Fifth, India earned Mexico’s valuable support in its NSG membership bid. Besides, Modi’s visit to this Latin American country also attains significance as the country had launched a ‘Made in Mexico’ campaign in the 70s which made it a manufacturing hub and 11th largest economy in the world. Even though this hurricane trip can largely be touted as a successful tour, some scholars however have criticised India’s attempts to cozy up to the US and thereby isolating China.

By Amrita Banerjee