In the globalized world of 21^st century development is also a necessity so there is always a confrontation between development and environment because of this problem environment sustainability has come as solution between two extreme views. This paper analyses how the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (rooted in Hindu culture) of Indian foreign policy is helpful in getting the goal of world environment sustainability. It also explains the concept of environmental sustainability in a broader sense including all the conditions which constitute the human environment. It further examines Indian vision of “One Earth One Family One Future” also theme of 18^th summit of G20 nations held in New Delhi. It also analyses the role of India in establishment of International Solar Alliance on principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The Paper concludes with some suggestions how the principle of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam can be applied in various fields like health, human rights, environmental issues, food security, space etc. for getting sustainable environment for whole earth.

Researcher have researched this topic for a month. Researcher have used a normal laymen language so that it can be understandable to all. Researcher have used methodology of qualitative research and descriptive methods in solving the problem.

In this paper Researcher have reviewed both primary as well as secondary sources of literature. Primary sources includes newspaper reports like PIB report, LIVEMINT report, speeches. Secondary sources includes journal Articles. BP Shelley in "Sustainable Humanity beyond the COVID-19 Crisis"(2021)  have analysed how human development have created a crisis for the earth and for this planet. He also analysed how the crisis of COVID 19 have showed these faults of human beings and effects on their lives and how idea of vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is need of time. 

The Backdrop of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

The principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ of Indian diplomacy has roots in 6th chapter of Maha Upanishad. The verse read as “Ayam nijah paro veti ganana laghuchetasam, Udaracharitanam tu Vasudhaiva kutumbakam.” Which in English translated as “For narrow-minded people, things belong to him or others, but a person with broad mind it does not make a distinction, for him universe is one family, and everything is for everyone and shared” (Shelley, 2021) (1). Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is made of ‘Vasudha’ means ‘Earth’, ‘Iva’ means ‘is’, ‘kutumbakam’ means ‘family’ implies ‘The Whole Earth is one family”. It is in Indian culture principle which sovereign India adopted in its foreign policy. Indian policy of humanitarian aid in time of economic, environmental, political, health related issues is based on this principle. Indian government supplies of Covid Vaccine and medicine effective in treatment of Covid 19 is also a move based on this principle. PM Narendra Modi also mentioned in speech at World Culture Festival held in New Delhi on March 12, 2016, that it seems that the dream of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has come alive while mention the quote of Pandit Ravisankar “Lets create peace and harmony” (PM Modi lavishes praise on Art of Living) (2). The phrase was also used in the 7th International science Olympiad’s Logo (3). The theme and logo of G20 under Indian presidency is also Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or ‘One Earth, One family, One Future’. This value of Indian Culture is soft power asset of Indian Diplomacy which shows the Goodwill in its diplomacy.

Environment Sustainability: A Balanced Approach

The problem of environment degradation we all are facing with collab of another problem that is of development have a straightforward approach that is of environment sustainability. Environment sustainability stands a type of  balanced way in which we must balance both environment and development. In the modern realistic states’ development has become a key indicator to show the strength and growth of a country, but there also lies a paradox here about the concept of growth and development. The concept of growth and development which is shown as growth indicator is concerned only about materialistic growth not of human thought, personality, culture growth. In this paper we are taking the so-called economic growth indicator only. This indicator of growth rises to a higher level only at the cost of environment degradation, so international institutions have paid attention to this degradation only after 1970s with occurring of ozone hole in Antarctica as major event. only from there the debates and talks about environment conversation have started. The concept of Sustainable environment at global level was first discussed in Brundtland Commission report of 1987(4) and then later discussed at various CoP summits. It is an approach which focuses on including environmentally friendly techniques and technology in economic development.

The Concept of Development

The concept of development emerged with the advent of the scientific revolution in Europe (England). From here human beings have started exploiting the earth for their material benefits. The concept of development is also materialistic, whose main target is to multiple material production and then earning profits. The other aspects of development (except economic development) are continuously ignored in this race of getting materialistic. When civilization started human beings lived with nature and were ruled by the laws of nature but with advent of scientific development humans started considering themselves as masters of nature. The meaning of growth and development has been narrowed by this materialization.

Environment Sustainability and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

The environment is not the personal property of anybody on the earth, this is gifted by nature to all the creatures living on the earth. It is ‘Vasu’ which belongs to all. The only qualification which is needed to avail the benefits of this ‘Vasudha’ is that to take birth on this planet, so we all are acknowledged about these above stated facts, yet this earth is exploited by us (human beings) now to restore its environment is also responsibility of all humans. What earth gives to us is based on the approach of considering all the creatures as her children so as children or member of this family we all have equal responsibility to save the mother earth as the world is our family or Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Neither only efforts of states nor of a single individual can create a big difference, difference can only be created when all the global community will come together for saving this Vasudha through Environment sustainable approach.

Indian Foreign Policy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Indian foreign policy has many elements of Indian culture in its principles, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is one of those elements. Before Independence India’s relation with other countries are mainly dominated by trade. In Ancient we study relation of Harapan civilization with Egypt and other empires, in medieval period Mughals trade with middle Asia, China, Africa and south Asian countries, in modern times trade transition between Indian and Europe. After Independence India formulated its foreign policy and it included various values of Indian culture in its principles. On the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam India have launched various alliance and movements. The first such movement at global level is the launch of non-Alignment movement but this has no connection with Environment Sustainability. a remarkable move of India for environment comes when it launches International Solar Alliance on principle of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam on 30 November 2015(5). Its first founding conference held on 11 March 2018 co-chaired by Emmanuel macron, president of France and Narendra Modi, prime Minister of India finalized Delhi Solar Agenda. Earlier India have also launched International Yoga Day for wellbeing of all.

The most react India’s initiative based on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam was launch of International Big Cat Alliance on 9th April 2023 to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger for conservation of Seven big cats namely tiger, lion, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma (6). It is marvelous step taken by Delhi to conserve Biodiversity. Earlier Delhi had also released many reliefs package in disaster (manmade as well as natural) for helping countries like when cyclone Nargis hits Myanmar India is among first country to send help, during Afghanistan drought in 2000, etc. on principle of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam. The most recent move of Indian Government was helping and assisting the world during pandemic of covid-19. India have sent help of vaccine, PPE Kits, Masks etc. to more than 150 countries. (Livemint: India helped over 150 nations in form of covid vaccines: Rajya Sabha Dy chairman) (7).

Way Forward on the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

All the international organizations which are working for the Environment are working on this principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It can be NGO like Greenpeace, Nature Friends International etc. or any Global organization all are working on this principle. Whenever there is any problem which effects whole humanity, flora, and fauna it can be addressed only through a global approach which have at its heart Vasudha as family. There are many issues related to the environment which still need a global concern, a global commitment, and a global effort to resolve them. The LiFE Initiative of Indian government launched at CoP 26 in Glasgow, which states ‘Lifestyle with environment’ can be a key to resolve human made problem(8). This principle can help in following field to act globally:

1. Need of a global alliance for poverty

2. Need of a global alliance for human trafficking.

3. Need for a global alliance for education.

4. Need for a global alliance for hunger.

5. The need for global alliance for gender equality.

6. need for formation of global alliance for stopping discrimination.

7. need for formation of global alliance for health services.

8. Need for formation of global for human rights.

9. Need for formation of global alliance for conservation of flora and fauna.

10. Need for formation of global alliance for wind energy, nuclear energy etc.

11. Global alliance for conservation of natural resources.

All these problems and many more required a global effort. Global agencies can only be efficient when their initiative or laws can be implemented locally. There are many issues still left besides the ones mentioned above which need serious attention from the global community to address them.

The principal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam sounds optimistic in this world of brute realities. Nation- states in practical politics are concerned only about their interest and in fulfilling that interest states’ sidelines all the commitment of global agencies of which they are member. They consider moral or legal obligation on them. This structure of international politics is anarchial what realist called. There is no supreme agency above Nation- states. They are sovereign. This sovereignty will last how much time at cost of environment is still unknow. The talks of global community can create only awareness but cannot oblique states to take step. Natural environment is giving signs like frequent earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, extreme drought, and floods, but, when will these signs get recognitions from human beings is still in doubt. Researcher think the time has come when serious action should be taken practically on ground level not in literature. Our hunger for luxurious life should be changed to life with environment so that we can preserve some environment for our coming generation. Global Community should focus on all report findings concerning the environment. luxury at cost of environment will result in paying the lives of whole humanity and living creates of the ‘Vasudha’ which are gifted to us without condition. Don’t consider the environment as freebies to take whatever human want, it will cost to whole humanity.

1. Shelley BP. Sustainable humanity beyond the COVID 19 crisis: 'Vasudhaiva kutumbakam' for 'One planet, One health, One future.' Arch Med Health Sci 2021;9:1-11

2. India.com. "PM Modi Lavish Praise on Art of Living." India.Com, 12 Mar. 2016,

www.india.com/news/india/pm-narendra-modi-lavishes-praise-on-art-of-living-its-cultural-festival- 1025826/.

3. Consultant General De France A Bangalore. "7th International Earth Science Olympiad." Consultant General De France a Bangalore, 11 Sept. 2013, 

in.ambafrance.org/7th-International-Earth-Science.

4. Sustainabledevelopment.un.org. "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future." Sustainable Development.Un.Org, 4 Aug. 1987,

sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf.

5. Ministry of External Affairs government of India. "ISA Founding Conference." Www.Mea.Gov.in, 11 Apr. 2018, www.mea.gov.in/ISAFoundingConference.htm.

6. PIB. "International Big Cat Alliance." Pib.Gov.in, 10 Apr. 2023,

pib.gov.in/PressReleaseframePage.aspx?PRID=1915372.

7. Mint. "India Helped over 150 Nations in Form of Covid Vaccines: Rajya Sabha Dy Chairman." Livemint, 4 Jan. 2023,

www.livemint.com/news/india/india-helped-over-150-nations-in-form-of-covid-vaccines-rajya-sabha-dy-chairman-11672820542481.html.

8. Pib.gov.in. "PM Launches 'LiFE Movement' for Adoption of Environment-Conscious Lifestyle." PIB, 5 Jun. 2022, pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1831364.