Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Relevance of India's Ancient Thinking to Contemporary Strategic Reality)

DETAILS: 

• Editor : Arvind Gupta , Arpita Mitra
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aryan Books International & Vivekananda International Foundation
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2020
  
• ISBN ‏ : ‎9788173056451
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
  
• Weight : 550 g

ABOUT THE ESSAY/MONOGRAPH

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Relevance of India's Ancient Thinking to Contemporary Strategic Reality is a seminal geopolitical and philosophical treatise that bridges ancient Vedic philosophy with modern, high-stakes statecraft. Derived from the Maha Upanishad (Chapter 6, Verse 71), the Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” translates literally to “The World is One Family.” In contemporary diplomatic literature, this concept has evolved from a idealistic slogan into a pragmatic, strategic paradigm for India's foreign policy and global positioning, notably serving as the foundational theme for India’s G20 Presidency.

The core philosophy of this text deconstructs the traditional Western, realist paradigm of geopolitics—which views global affairs as a zero-sum game of absolute military dominance—and replaces it with an enlightened, cooperative realism. The strategic reality of the modern era is broken down into interconnected global challenges that require a unified approach:

                  ┌────────────── MODERN GLOBAL CHALLENGES ──────────────┐
                  │                                                      │
         [Climate Degradation]                                  [Pandemic Containment]
                  │                                                      │
         [Cross-Border Terrorism]                               [Disruptive AI Governance]

The text systematically demonstrates that these contemporary crises cannot be resolved by isolated nation-states. By utilizing Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as a strategic framework, international relations shift away from structural polarization and toward mutual dependency, climate justice, and technological co-ownership.