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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 16, 2024 | The Indian Eye 18

International Mediation is Hazardous in a Complex

World, Says Former Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
lobal Organization of Peo-
ple of Indian Origin (New
GYork Chapter), Indian Dias-
pora Center and the Indian Amer-
ican Kerala Center organized a talk
titled ‘India’s Role as a Peacemaker
Since Independence,’ by former Am-
bassador T.P. Sreenivasan at the Dr.
Thomas Abraham Library Hall at the
Kerala Center to celebrate 77th An-
niversary of India’s Independence.
Community leaders representing
several organizations participated in
an exciting discussion after Sreeni-
vasan’s presentation.

The program started with a GOPIO, Kerala Center officials and some participants with T.P. Sreenivasan (center)
welcome by the Kerala Center
Secretary Raju Thomas. GOPIO being strengthened. The recent G 20

Chairman Dr. Thomas Abra- meetings in India increased our en-
gagement with the Global South.
ham, who chaired the session There have been demands for In-
spoke on the accomplishments dia to be a mediator in the two most
serious conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine
of GOPIO in the last 35 years war and the Israel-Palestine war.

and that its initial goal of bring- The fact that India has good rela-
tions with all the adversaries appears
ing the Diaspora community to to give an opportunity for India to
political mainstream has been negotiate peace, but these wars are
distinctly different from the wars of
achieved. the twentieth century, because each
side is fighting for a decisive victo-
T.P. Sreenivasan told the meet- ry in the context of creating a new
ing that in the complex world of the global order. India itself has learnt a
21st century, marked by the absence lesson from Tashkent and others that
of a defined global order, interna- mediation is a double-edged weapon.
tional mediation to end conflicts “We clearly believe in resolution
was extremely hazardous. India had (From left to right).: Kerala Center Secretary Raju Thomas, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas of conflicts through bilateral discus-
emerged on the world as a messenger Abraham and Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan sions and that is what India is trying
of peace and it played a peace mak- to achieve by keeping the dialogue
ing role even in distant lands based ifist state, but as an aspiring world emerging dangers like terrorism, cli- open. The traditional peace-making
on the principles of Panchsheel and power,” said Sreenivasan. mate change and pandemics. It has efforts outlined in the UN Charter
by leading the Nonaligned Move- According to Sreenivasan, India steered clear of military alliances but of preventive diplomacy, ceasefire,
ment. India led the decolonisation has been a strong supporter of the has built strategic partnerships with peace keeping and peace building do
and disarmament initiatives of the UN as the guardian of international like-minded countries. not seem to be effective in the pres-
UN and was part of global efforts to peace and security, but in the context China has emerged as an ad- ent geopolitical situation,” Ambassa-
settle disputes and to prevent war. of the increasing irrelevance of the versary and recent incursions across dor Sreenivasan concluded.
But over the years, India unwittingly UN on account of the imbalance in the Line of Actual Control and con- In the active and informed dis-
became a party to the conflicts with the Security Council, it is struggling tinuing claims on Indian territory cussion that followed, many ideas
Pakistan and China and had to fight to maintain its strategic autonomy in are a major challenge. But through were exchanged and India’s con-
wars to protect its own sovereignty a divided world. But India continues negotiations, strengthening of our structive engagement with the world
and national interests. Moreover, to be a responsible member of the defence, reducing our trade imbal- was applauded.
India had to keep out of the NPT, international community, engaged ance and strengthening cooperation The program ended with a
CTBT etc and eventually became a in building a reformed global order with others, India is facing the Chi- conclusionary remarks and vote
nuclear weapon state. to fight both conventional threats nese challenge. Our relations with of thanks by Kerala Center Board
“India is seen today not as a pac- to security as well as the new and the United States and Russia are also Member May Philip.

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