Security and Diplomacy: Essential Documents

The year 200 saw a major diversification of India’s ties: India and China declared that they are “not a threat to each other”. India unveiled its new “look east” policy and India, Brazil and South Africa established a trilateral dialogue forum. India sought to use its strengths in information and communication technologies (ICT), biotechnology and human resources to improve bilateral relations and emphasized the need for better connectivity through “transport corridors”. India also signed a number of joint declarations / framework agreements with other countries. Indian leaders addressed international audiences on a wide variety of subjects like economic diplomacy, protection of sea lanes, counter-terrorism, UN reform and water security. Various UN resolutions on Iraq reflected a shift in US policy as it got bogged down with trying to “win the peace”. Nuclear diplomacy between the EU and Iran led to the “voluntary suspension of Uranium enrichment” by Iran. The announcement of the Quartet “Roadmap”; Putin’s courting of the OIC; Europe’s quest for a common “security strategy”; and “Indo-Pak” and “US-UN” confrontation at the UNGA also made interesting reading. The NSCS presents a compilation of select documents and important speeches of 2003 on security and diplomacy.