PM MODI’S DIPLOMACY OF IDEAS, CARRYING AMBEDKAR’S VISION ACROSS THE GLOBE

Narrators recall PM Narendra Modi’s leadership as one that blends Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision of social justice with a confident cultural diplomacy that carries India’s ideas beyond its borders while projecting the country’s artistic and intellectual strength on the world stage

Dr Ambedkar’s ideas implemented by Narendra Modi in letter and spirit - Bipin Sikka, Ex-deputy mayor, Ahmedabad, Dinesh Makwana, Lok Sabha MP, Gujarat, Bhiku Ramji Idate, Social worker (Padma awardee), Vijay Sampla, Former MoS, social justice, GoI

On the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the enduring relevance of his ideas is evident in the approach to governance adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr Ambedkar’s lifelong commitment to social justice, equality and human dignity laid the foundation of modern India, and these principles continue to resonate in contemporary policies aimed at inclusive development. Prime Minister Modi’s governance philosophy, articulated through the motto Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, reflects the same democratic spirit that guided Babasaheb’s vision of a just and empowered society.

Dr Ambedkar believed that constitutional rights must translate into real improvements in the lives of the most vulnerable. Prime Minister Modi has often stated that nearly 25 crore people have emerged from poverty over the past decade, an outcome that aligns with Ambedkar’s hope for an India where economic opportunity and social dignity reach the poorest. Governance, in this view, is not only about law and policy, but about enabling genuine social transformation.

This approach was visible even during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, more than a hundred welfare and development schemes were launched, focusing on education, housing, sanitation and economic empowerment for marginalised communities. Steps were taken to institutionalise Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and ideas through the foundation of Ambedkar Bhavan, the installation of statues honouring his contributions, and the launch of the Samvidhan Yatra from Surendranagar to spread constitutional awareness at the grassroots level.

In 2007, the Swachh Gujarat Maha Abhiyan was deliberately launched on Ambedkar Jayanti, symbolically linking cleanliness, civic responsibility and social equality with Babasaheb’s values. Even before becoming Chief Minister, Narendra Modi had spoken about politics as a tool not merely to gain power, but to empower the marginalised. That philosophy found practical expression in governance initiatives focused on inclusion rather than symbolism alone.

As Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expanded this engagement to a national and global scale. The creation of Panchteerth brought together five key sites associated with Dr Ambedkar’s life – his birth, education, spiritual transformation, Mahaparinirvan and cremation – into a unified journey of remembrance and reflection. The establishment of the Ambedkar Memorial in London, memorials in Delhi, and the Dr Ambedkar International Centre for Socio-Economic Transformation at Janpath ensured that Babasaheb’s contributions received global recognition.

In 2015, Constitution Day was formally declared, reinforcing respect for the Constitution and for Dr Ambedkar’s role as its chief architect. Prime Minister Modi has also consistently highlighted Babasaheb Ambedkar as one of India’s foremost economists. At the Dalit Entrepreneurs Conference in 2015, he referred to Ambedkar’s economic writings as valuable guides for addressing modern challenges.

This understanding is reflected in initiatives such as the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM), launched in 2020 to support innovation and entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste youth, and the PM AJAY scheme introduced in 2021 to improve socio-economic indicators within SC communities. Structural reforms, including the 127th Constitutional Amendment restoring states’ authority over OBC classification, and the removal of Article 370 to extend equal constitutional opportunities to marginalised communities in Jammu and Kashmir, further reflect this approach.

Through remembrance, reform and inclusive development, Dr Ambedkar’s vision continues to guide governance today. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Babasaheb’s ideals have not remained confined to history; they continue to shape India’s social and economic future.

PM’s diplomacy revolves around India’s cultural richness - Dr K Sreenivasarao, Former secretary, Sahitya Akademi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to diplomacy has consistently gone beyond formal agreements and strategic conversations, extending into the realm of knowledge, culture and literature. From proposing the translation of Indian literary works into the languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2019 to gifting the Bhagavad Gita in Russian to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to India, these gestures reflect how India’s intellectual and spiritual heritage forms an integral part of his global outreach. Through such initiatives, literature and timeless wisdom become instruments of dialogue, understanding and connection between nations.

At the 2019 SCO Summit held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Modi put forward a significant cultural proposal. He suggested that ten modern Indian literary works be translated into the languages of SCO member nations, enabling readers across these countries to engage with Indian writing directly, without linguistic barriers. The idea was rooted in the belief that literature offers insight into a nation’s social thought, creativity and values, and that such exchanges deepen mutual understanding beyond politics and economics.

Following this announcement, the initiative was taken forward through coordination between Indian ministries and Indian embassies in SCO countries. The translation process focused particularly on Russian, Chinese and English, languages with wide reach within the SCO framework. Linguistic scholars, translators and editorial experts were engaged to ensure that the translated works retained the spirit and depth of the original texts while being accessible to international audiences. When India assumed the SCO Chairmanship during the COVID period, the translated books were formally released, bringing the commitment made in Bishkek to its completion despite global disruptions.

Alongside modern literature, Prime Minister Modi has also highlighted the importance of India’s spiritual texts in international engagement. During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, the Prime Minister gifted him the Bhagavad Gita translated into Russian. This was more than a symbolic exchange; it was a way of sharing one of India’s foundational philosophical texts with the world in a language that allows deeper understanding. The Gita, with its reflections on duty, ethics and human conduct, has universal relevance, and presenting it in Russian underscored how Indian spiritual thought continues to speak to global audiences.

Together, these initiatives illustrate a consistent thread in Prime Minister Modi’s diplomacy: the belief that culture, ideas and knowledge create lasting bridges between nations. Whether through contemporary literary works translated for SCO readers or a classical spiritual text offered to a world leader, Indian thought is positioned as a living, dynamic contributor to global discourse.

By taking Indian literature and wisdom beyond borders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensures that India’s voice is heard not only in international forums, but also in libraries, classrooms and homes across the world. Through the power of words, stories and philosophy, India’s engagement with the world becomes deeper, more human and more enduring.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA