International Organizations

International organizations are crucial to global governance and economic stability. They also play an essential role in social development. This article examines India’s engagement and influence within significant international organisations.

1. United Nations

• The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that was established in 1945 for the purpose of promoting peace, security and cooperation between countries.
• India is one of the UN’s founding members and actively participates in the UN’s various agencies, specializations and missions for peacekeeping.
• India’s Contribution:

  • India is a major contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Forces, taking part in many missions, including those in Congo, Sudan and Somalia.
  • India has repeatedly been elected as a member non-permanent of the UN Security Council.
  • India is a member of the United Nations General Assembly and actively contributes to UN policies and programs.

2. World Trade Organization

• WTO, which was created in 1995, focuses on international trade regulations and rules.
• India is a founding member of the organization and has played a key role in advocating fair trade and rights for developing nations.
• India’s Engagement:

  • India actively participates in trade negotiation rounds, such as the Doha Development round.
  • India is concerned about issues such as agricultural subsidies, intellectual property rights, and patents that affect directly its economy.
  • India is also involved in many trade disputes, settlements and agreements under the WTO Framework to protect its interests.

International Monetary Fund, World Bank

• Both the IMF and World Bank were established in 1944 and focus on financial stability globally and economic growth, respectively.
• India’s Role:

  • India was a founder member of these organizations, and it has an important role in the policy making processes.
  • India received financial aid from the IMF in balance-of-payments crises. This was most notable during 1991 when it led to significant economic reforms.
  • India has received World Bank loans for a variety of development projects, including infrastructure, healthcare, education and health care.

4. BRICS

• BRICS was established in 2009 as a grouping of emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia India China South Africa.
• India’s Participation:

  • India is a founder member of BRICS and participates actively in BRICS initiatives and summits.

    • BRICS have provided India with a global platform to advance its political and economic interests.
    • Both the BRICS initiative of the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement has been important in supporting members’ financial stability as well as development projects.

5. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

• SAARC, founded in 1995, aims at enhancing regional development and cooperation in South Asia.
• India’s Role:

  • India is the biggest country in South Asia and plays a major role in SAARC.

    • India was instrumental in initiating a variety of development projects, commercial agreements and cultural exchanges between SAARC nations.
    • SAARC is sometimes hindered in its effectiveness by tensions regional, particularly those with Pakistan.

6. G20

• G20 is an international forum of economic co-operation that was formed in 1999. It comprises 19 countries, including the European Union.
• India’s Participation:

  • India has played a prominent role in discussions regarding global economic policies and climate change as well as sustainable development.

    • India has been a host of the G20 summit since 2008 and raised many issues that are relevant to developing nations, including climate justice and financial integration.

7. World Health Organization

• WHO was established in 1948 and is an agency of the UN that focuses on public health worldwide.
• India’s Role:

  • India is a founding member of WHO and has collaborated extensively on numerous health initiatives.

    • India made great strides towards improving public health with the help of WHO.
    • India and WHO continue to collaborate on health issues such as HIV/AIDS pandemics, COVID-19, and tuberculosis.

International Atomic Energy Agency

• IAEA is an international organisation that was founded in 1957 to promote the peaceful use and prevention of nuclear weapons.
• India’s Engagement:

  • India is an IAEA member and has signed many agreements to use nuclear energy peacefully.

    • India has strong relations with the IAEA, despite not having signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    • India’s civil nuclear projects have received IAEA support, which will contribute to the energy security of India and its infrastructure.

International Labour Organization

• ILO is a global organization that was established in 1909. Its main focus is on the promotion of labor rights and conditions.
• India’s Role:

  • India is a member of the ILO and participates actively in its programs and conventions.

    • India has ratified a number of ILO conventions related to child labor and worker rights, as well as labor standards.
    • India attends the ILO annual conference and adheres to its commitments for improving labor conditions.

10. Organizations Internationales of Significant Interest

• Commonwealth of Nations (CDN): A 54-member association, including many former British colonies. India is an important member who actively takes part in Commonwealth initiatives.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – OECD: India participates to the OECD’s enhanced engagement program, despite not being a full member. India is involved in the discussions of economic policies, development, and trade.
• Asian Development Bank: India, a founding ADB member, is an important borrower, taking out loans to finance infrastructure, reduce poverty, and implement social programs.