India will assert red lines on sovereignty, maritime freedom: Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh
Says peace and tranquility along borders are indispensable for normalcy in relations; dignity of citizens and the status of frontiers are not variables to be traded
India will continue to assert its strategic autonomy and clearly articulate “red lines” on sovereignty, maritime freedoms and technology governance in an increasingly fragmented global order, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Friday.
Speaking at the 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Singh said India’s foreign policy thinking is rooted in the civilisational idea of Saṁskāra — a process of refinement — reflected in three pillars: assertion, accommodation and advancement.
“India has moved from an era of adjusting to a global order to an era of refining it,” he said, outlining the country’s strategic approach as it works toward the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Under the pillar of “assertion”, Singh said India would firmly defend its national interests and sovereignty, particularly along its borders.
“Peace and tranquillity along our borders are indispensable for normalcy in relations. The dignity of our citizens and the status of our frontiers are not variables to be traded,” he said.
He also reaffirmed India’s support for freedom of navigation and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, stressing that stable maritime commons are vital for global trade and the prosperity of the Global South.
On the second pillar — “accommodation” — Singh said India’s diplomacy emphasises consensus-building and a human-centric global order.
He cited India’s presidency of the Group of Twenty, which saw the African Union admitted as a permanent member, as an example of efforts to democratise global governance.
On “advancement”, Singh said foreign policy must ultimately drive economic growth and technological progress at home. He highlighted the recently concluded India–EU free trade agreement and initiatives such as the India AI Impact Summit, where over 90 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact.
“Technology must serve people, planet and progress — not only profit,” Singh said, adding that India’s global engagement would continue to balance national interests with international cooperation.
