Connectivity: A Shared Wisdom - India and Hungary

Analysis

By Angana Guha Roy 

Connectivity is central in advancing strategic influence and diplomacy in the 21st century. A 19th-century coinage ‘Connectivity’ rose to prominence in the diplomatic arena in the recent past following the adoption of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity in 2010. Over the years the tools of connectivity have broadened its outreach strategy including tools like infrastructure development and transport connections; financial cooperation and customs, trade, and investment facilitation; information technology (IT) and digital links; energy networks; and people-to-people, educational, institutional, and social-cultural linkages.

Amidst complex power contestation, connectivity across the spectrum of government and non-governmental agencies is increasingly emerging as an effective tool of diplomacy between nations.

In the last decade the world witnessed the emergence of several connectivity strategies including the Belt and Road Initiative, Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), Build Back Better World (B3W), Greater Eurasian Partnership Initiative, and Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment (PQII). The European Union published its connectivity initiative, the “Global Gateway”, in 2021, and is planning to invest €300 billion by 2027. Seen as an answer to China’s  Belt and Road Initiative,   the connectivity strategy is aimed at advancing “smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world”.

The Global Gateway Initiative appears to be a promising bet for developing  East European countries.

In East Europe, Hungary under PM Viktor Orban has recently advocated for a result-driven connectivity strategy. Elaborating on the strategy Balaz Orban’s book Hussar Cut makes a point of embracing a ‘connectivity-based strategy’ to widen its network of relationships beyond the narrow confines of traditional partners in the West.

Orban’s prescription of connectivity is based on optimising  Hungary’s geography, unique cultural tenets  ‘which contain elements of both East and West’, and economic facets to its advantage for building the ‘widest possible network of relationships’ while simultaneously contributing towards regional growth. He roots for connectivity to be a guiding principle in everyday political tasks. In his book Hussar’s Cut Orban pitches Hungary as a  ‘keystone state’ for foreign investment. He underlines Defence, Automobile and banking as the three top sectors with maximum investment potential.  Orban further argues that security is a fundamental guarantor of connectivity. 

Orban points out that modern-day ‘connectivity’ is evolving amidst the changing character of globalization that is increasingly reducing interdependencies through measures such as economic embargoes, mini-laterals and plurilateral that he argues undermines the role of international law,  using infrastructure as a means of power projection instead of connectivity, ‘de-risking’ strategies adopted by major powers. The central tenet, Orban recommends is to further strengthen the north-south connection, boosting regional connectivity, thus reducing dependence on the great centers of power in the West and East. 

The connectivity strategy, Orban points out is Hungary’s attempt to carve an independent identity maintaining its partnerships across the spectrum. It aspires to ‘be an independent player in the international order’  while instrumentalizing connectivity as a tool to grow as a developed country and a regional middle power. Orban in his book lays out twelve rules of Connectivity wherein he underlines the importance of values, coalitions based on culture, economic cooperation, the business sector, prioritized super sectors, infrastructure, regional supply chains, creating opportunities for the younger generation, a vision of that makes Hungary a melting pot of major events to attract people, opportunities, and ideas, and most importantly for strengthening the security. Finally, he outlines the importance of drawing its connectivity strategy based on national interest and aimed at peace.

As Hungary attempts to develop a result-driven connectivity strategy based on opportunity and values, India can be a good reference point. India’s multifaceted connectivity strategy is balanced by geostrategic sensitivities and economic considerations. 

India’sconnevctivity strategy is layered and multipronged.  In his book Why Bharat Matters, Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar mentions ‘one subject on which India made a decisive difference was connectivity’. While expanding connectivity and collaborative initiatives with neighbours India has also focused on strengthening infrastructural facilities at the national level. Some notable examples are the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the International North-South Transport Corridor and the more recent India-Middle East-Europe Corridor.

A fundamental part of India’s connectivity strategy is to expand the breadth of interactions through diverse formulated policies, mechanisms, and outreach programs. India looks at plurilateral and mini-laterals as an opportunity to build focused understandings and partnerships on shared interests while simultaneously developing tailored policies suited to respective regions,  national actors, and stakeholders across the globe without losing its autonomy. India’s prerogative for building partnerships is balanced by its choice of self-reliance as well as demonstrating its indispensability as a thought leader,  dialogue partner, first responder, or a prominent stakeholder in various sectors like defence and trade. The strength of India’s connectivity strategy lies in its ability to balance principles and interests while building on its own core skills, capabilities, and talents. Dr. S. Jaishankar in his book Why Bharat Matters rightly points out that ‘Quite apart from our national branding, it is the presence on the ground in so many manifestations that is imprinting India in the mind space of societies even far away’. India in recent years has underlined the importance of its huge diaspora as an important bridge and linkage of connectivity strategy.

Amidst the changing contours of international geopolitical order Hungary’s attempt to carve out its own connectivity strategy while maintaining its autonomy is inspiring. The strategy as reports claim is already paying dividends. Be it for India or Hungary, how they strategize their core economic, manufacturing, service capabilities based on an interactive model of mutual benefit optimization across the global arena, will to a large extent determine the payoff of their respective connectivity strategies. 

Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.