What is required is to develop a fresh perspective for a more mature reliance on international cooperation between nations
Foreign relations are operated through efficient diplomacy, and diplomacy is all about right gestures and cooperation and coordination in times of crisis. The post-pandemic period has thrown open several new challenges. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the spreading tentacles of transnational terrorism, and the over-ambitious mission of Chinese dominance across the globe have created serious problems for international Security.
While China and several other countries are still grappling with the deadly spikes of Covid-19 virus, the issue of environmental protection is taking the forefront of global politics. The concern for climate change policy can very well be visualised by the recent decision of the Administrative Court in France to impose a penalty of approximately 19.78 million Euros for failing to control the level of pollution in the country.
On the other hand, the advanced EU nation Germany has taken numerous steps to deal with emerging climate challenges. The UK has recently raised its expenditure on environmental protection from 13 billion British pounds to 13.9 billion British pounds during the last two years. The issue of environmental protection is gradually emerging as the most crucial one as it hurts the health of people and economies throughout the world.
Besides, there are subtle efforts in establishing joint collaborations in Asia, the Pacific, and the African region. This certainly exhibits a high level of insight and understanding of both sides. The issue that remains vital is to bring so many countries to a negotiating table of working out a strategy of relaxing vaccine related Trade Aspects of Intellectual property Rights to help save maximum lives at the time of global health emergencies.
The increasing support and agreement with regard to limiting climate change issues and opening up gateways for renewable energy and development in technological knowhow along with channelizing the sources of power generation and creating a mechanism to withstand any sudden threat posed by Belt and Road Initiatives augur well for peace and prosperity of all the member countries. The 2019 Japan-EU deal was an effort in this direction. There has always been a series of extremely good relationships between India and the EU with the trade share having crossed a decent landmark during the last half a decade.
During the last few years or so there has been a closer tie with Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands being the biggest importers from India.
There has been contiguity with regard to nuclear energy and sustainable development concerning environmental issues. Further negotiation may lead to the creation of a strategic mechanism to provide a shield against terrorism, international crime, drug dealing, smuggling, and cyber threat unleashed by non-state actors. While these are defining moments for entire humanity yet the increasing tendency of actors in international relations to cluster around the powerful one in the system has proved Raymond Aron's observation correct for a long time. Aron once conceded that “the two most typical models are called multipolar and bipolar: either the chief actors, whose forces are not too unequal, are relatively numerous, or, on the contrary, two actors dominate their rivals to such a degree that both become the centre of a coalition and the secondary actors are obliged to situate themselves in relation to the two "blocs," thus joining one or another unless they have the opportunity to abstain.
Intermediary models are possible, depending on the number of chief actors and the degree of equality of forces among the chief actors.”
These are changing times and many changes have occurred in international relations recently. Sharing and working on a common strategic vision and a combined approach to ensure mutual economic prosperity and approaching through a multi-layered and multilateral strategy if the situation demands are going to dominate the world order in the coming days.
What is required is to develop a fresh perspective for a more mature reliance on international cooperation between nations to enunciate a new strategy of retaliation, threatening a severe response to any attempt to destabilising the order.There is a strong need to generate development funds related to integrated education, medicines, science, and technology and huge aggrandizement concerning research in the field of biotechnology among various nations across the globe.
Now even smaller countries are getting exposed to the nuances of domestic socio-economic, political, and international issues. Therefore, during the last few years or so there have been constant attempts by nations to upgrade, innovate and evolve new methods to have economic, strategic, and cultural integration and a common shield to encounter overambitious plans of any actor in IR.
(The author is an expert on strategic affairs)
