Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: An Indian Framework for Global Peace Communication

Abstract

The contemporary global landscape is increasingly characterised by escalating conflicts, deepening inequalities, and multifaceted crises, ranging from geopolitical tensions to protracted wars between countries. In this turbulent context, the ancient Indian philosophical concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”) emerges as a holistic, potent and timely framework for fostering global peace and harmony. This paper examines how India has mobilised this philosophy not only as a civilisational value but also as a deliberate communication and public relations strategy on the world stage, advocating for interconnectedness, universal kinship, and collective responsibility. Drawing from its philosophical origins in the Mahopanisad, the study highlights the principle’s translation into practice through India’s cultural diplomacy, multilateral engagements such as the G20 presidency, humanitarian interventions including Vaccine Maitri and the consistent messaging of successive Indian leaders. The analysis demonstrates that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, rooted in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), functions as a unique model of peace communication. The paper argues that by linking cultural wisdom with actionable policy, India presents a compelling framework for sustainable coexistence, empathy, and global cooperation in the 21st century.