Modi govt making a lot of not doing something in any respect

In June 2025, our authorities declared that India has taken it as its duty to convey the Voice of the International South (henceforth VoGS) to the world stage. As one newspaper headline put it: ‘Time to make presence felt, India voice for International South: S. Jaishankar forward of G7’.

By the way, for the final three years, India has been internet hosting the Voice of the International South Summit, which the federal government has shortened to VoGSS.

The quick provocation for asserting our duty was linked to our arrival on the G7, the place India just isn’t a member however designated — together with others like Mexico, Brazil, Comoros and the Prepare dinner Islands — an ‘observer’ (in plainspreak, a spectator).

There isn’t any actual function, although generally hugging and guffawing is seemingly permitted.

The G7 — America, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — put out a press release condemning Iran for being attacked by Israel. Referring to the bombing marketing campaign, which murdered civilians together with scientists in Tehran and elsewhere, the true gamers reiterated their ‘assist for the safety of Israel’, affirmed that Israel has a proper to defend itself and that ‘Iran is the principal supply of regional instability and terror’.

VoGS had no opinion on this, though our prime minister noticed that it was ‘time to make our presence felt’, as a result of VoGS was saved on mute.

It’s unclear why we attend gatherings the place we have now no say. However who can query the mighty? They’ve their causes.

In reality, it was time to make our presence felt elsewhere.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — through which VoGS is a member and really has a say — additionally put out a press release on the identical topic.

The SCO has 9 gamers: China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Their residents signify some 42 per cent of the people on this planet, a majority of the International South. The SCO constitution says its responsibility is ‘to advertise a brand new democratic, truthful and rational worldwide political and financial worldwide order’. That means it can stand for the rights of the weaker and poorer nations.

The SCO’s assertion ‘strongly condemn[ed] the navy strikes carried out by Israel’ and said that ‘such aggressive actions in opposition to civilian targets, together with vitality and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are a gross violation of worldwide legislation and the United Nations Constitution’.

On the identical day (14 June) India put out a counter-statement, distancing itself from these phrases and clarifying that ‘India didn’t take part within the discussions on the above-mentioned SCO assertion’.

Once more, it’s unclear why we run away from discussions we are able to affect as contributors and as an alternative attend these the place we’re spectators. VoGS works ‘in mysterious methods, [Its] wonders to carry out’, because the poet William Cowper may need put it.

One other 14 June newspaper headline learn: ‘India abstains, 149 nations again UN decision for Gaza ceasefire’. The decision condemned ‘using hunger and the denial of help as ways of battle’ and demanded a lifting of the blockade by Israel.

All South Asian nations voted for it besides VoGS.

The explanation given reads thus: ‘India’s abstention was within the perception that there is no such thing as a different approach to resolve conflicts, however by dialogue and diplomacy’ and that ‘our joint effort ought to be directed in the direction of bringing the 2 sides nearer’.

Sure, in fact, we must always convey those that are bombing and those that are being bombed nearer.

Jogs my memory that in cricket, the act of constructing a lot of not doing something in any respect known as ‘shouldering arms’.

The ministry of exterior affairs web site tells us that on 14 August 2024, India hosted its third VoGSS: ‘This distinctive initiative started as an extension of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas”, and is underpinned by India’s philosophy of vasudhaiva kutumbakam. It envisages bringing collectively nations of the International South to share their views and priorities on a typical platform throughout an entire vary of points.’

On 8 Might, in a case regarding the residing circumstances and deportation of Rohingya refugees, the identical Indian authorities informed the Supreme Court docket that it neither recognises the UNHCR-issued refugee playing cards nor the Rohingyas as refugees since India just isn’t a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Conference and, subsequently, doesn’t lengthen any refugee protections.

Apparently VoGS and its bombast a few international household comes with a number of phrases and circumstances connected.

It want hardly be mentioned that India’s non-ratification of the UN Refugee Conference can’t be an excuse to ship individuals into circumstances of hazard, persecution and statelessness.

Below the precept of ‘non-refoulement’ in customary worldwide legislation, India remains to be required to chorus from forcing individuals to return to locations the place they’d be at actual threat of being subjected to critical human rights violations and abuses.

That is moreover a particular authorized obligation below the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights — to which India is a celebration.

However why ought to we care? And what’s stopping us from making grand speeches concerning the International South and our shared humanity whereas appearing in blatantly opposite methods?

Nothing, and so the charade will keep it up.

Views are private. Extra of Aakar Patel’s writing could also be learn right here.