Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, speaking at the launch of the book New World: 21st Century Global Order and India by Ram Madhav, emphasized the enduring relevance of V. D. Savarkar’s worldview. He cited Savarkar’s assertion that nations act solely in their self-interest—not out of idealism or solidarity—and described this realism as prophetic amid current global events.
Dhankhar asserted that strengthening Bharat is now the central philosophy of governance, marked by clarity, conviction, and a non-negotiable stance on national interests. He criticized those who respond only to momentary issues, saying they fail to understand the broader historical and civilizational arc of Bharat.
Calling global multilateralism increasingly irrelevant, he endorsed the book’s argument that India must abandon romantic notions and focus instead on economic strength and strategic autonomy. He referenced Indian traditions of statecraft—such as Rajadharma, Dharmayuddha, Dhamma diplomacy, and Kautilya’s Mandala theory—as evidence of a long-standing strategic tradition rooted in Indian thought.
He rejected the notion, once advanced by American analyst George Tanham, that India lacks strategic thinking due to its philosophical roots, calling it outdated in light of India’s evolving global posture.
The Vice-President also warned of external and internal forces seeking to destabilize Bharat, including attempts to divide the country over language. He called for lower political temperatures, greater dialogue among parties, and the mobilization of Indian think tanks to support nuanced policymaking.
He praised India’s civilizational commitment to peace and harmony, citing digital infrastructure and G20 diplomacy—including elevating the African Union to full membership—as signs of India’s growing global leadership. He concluded by urging the nation to adopt a broad outlook when assessing India’s progress and to resist being swayed by isolated disruptions.
