India’s global footprints

It has been increasingly felt that there is a very low level of awareness among the general public, the grassroots and civil society organizations on issues relating to India’s commitments at various multi-lateral platforms and the related actions at the global level.

It is very important for the country’s citizens to understand India’s positions on international matters like foreign aid, and its commitments at international forums like BRICS and G-20 to be able to intervene and make its perspectives heard.

So far, the Indian voluntary organizations, known as the Third Sector are not much aware on India’s foreign policies and Indian aid given to other countries. At all levels ambiguity prevails and a dearth of information in the public domain. Given the increasingly prominent role that India assumes outside the country, it becomes imperative for the government to be accountable within the country to its people.

There is also a different side to this story. Indian voluntary organizations are not allowed to work in other countries except a few based on selected criteria which are not well known to most of the civil society organizations. An aware media and legislatures are important stakeholders in the process of a more accountable and transparent dialogue between government and the civil society groups. As civil societies and voluntary organisations are working in close sync with the people of India, they can better sense and understand the sentiments of common man. When a country like India achieves something on the global platform, political and economic cost of such actions must be known to the citizens who as exchequers are in turn responsible for its global standing. This study is an attempt to provide the voluntary sector reference material on India’s global footprints. The presence of a more vibrant and informed voluntary sector is seen as an indicator of a healthy society. The voluntary organisations of India has been engaged in filling the gap of socio-economic deficit, but has very limited space in influencing the foreign policy.

With few exceptions, international policy is not usually regarded as a matter on which Indian civil society has much to say. Voluntary organisations have not shown keen interest in foreign policy issues even though India n has been an active voice of developing world supporting south-south solidarity and As India’s international role is expanding, the voluntary sector should not only take more attention. It should also view this process as an opportunity, as globalization has increased opportunities and needs for contact and cooperation between civil society organizations in India and the rest of the world.

After the end of bipolar world hegemony and cold war, the role of multilateral forums became important. India also started interacting with various multi-lateral forums and has made its voice heard.

These multilateral forums designed to handle economic crisis and promote development, are seen as potential space for the engagement of the voluntary sector by the experts of the sector. On the one hand these forums deal with issues which are very important for the grass root groups like poverty, health, education, climate change, etc. and on the other hand they provide opportunity to share the experiences at global levels. Many times it is felt that these forums created to voice the concerns of the developing world and to promote south-south cooperation are tied with individual interest of the member countries. The voluntary organisations through their parallel engagement among themselves could influence the groupings. Since most of the forums are created to promote government to government dialogue and cooperation and have no accountability and reporting of progress and commitment to the public. The voluntary sector should become an active partner of the government in shaping its priorities and delivering support. The voluntary sector is known for its innovation in delivering developing projects, such innovations could be shared worldwide through these forums. But we must note here that current engagement of voluntary sector from developing world is very less as compared to the developed world.

In 1976, Daniel Bell predicted that the third sector would become the predominant sector in society, as the knowledge class overcame the effects of the private sector.1 Inclusive participation, better coordination and strong advocacy for social betterment by voluntary organisations are the prerequisite for better national goal achievement. However, before that, understanding and disseminating knowledge is an integral aspect of learning which can enrich the functioning as well as foundational strength of voluntary sector. Only then our nation would be projected as a true global pioneer leaving footprint all across the globe in every sector and discipline, both in terms of strong internal dynamism and exemplary external role-playing. It is in this context the present study has been taken up, aiming at dissemination of information related to India’s global footprints.