Introduction
Science diplomacy, as one of the new concepts of foreign policy, can play an important role in strengthening international relations, exchanging knowledge, and solving global challenges in the future. India, as one of the emerging countries in the global economy and politics, is promoting this tool in its foreign policy. Science diplomacy is considered a tool for the development of science and technology, it also strengthens national power and improves economic, political interests, and even national image. In Indian foreign policy, the "Ministry of External Affairs", plays a key role and, along with other organizations and institutions in charge, pursues the goals and interests of the Indian government in foreign policy. One of these programs is science diplomacy. This research is dedicated to examining this issue and seeks to answer the question of what role and position science diplomacy has in Indian foreign policy.
Methodology
The research method is qualitative and hypothesis-driven, and using a theoretical and conceptual framework within the general framework of empirical research. it seeks to describe and explain the position of science diplomacy in India's foreign policy. Information is collected through a library method and using reliable sources available in articles and databases that are extracted from the Internet. The research method is to examine the dimensions of India's actions in the field of foreign policy regarding the dimensions of science diplomacy that are specified in a theoretical and conceptual framework.
Results
The results obtained from the studies of the article show that India's foreign policy in the field of science diplomacy has been active in several issues, the most important of which are: Membership and cooperation in international scientific organizations; holding and supporting scientific events and meetings; scientific exchange programs and scholarships; science diplomacy in the field of health; energy and sustainable development; promoting science diplomacy at the global level.
Discussion
The Indian foreign policy men's efforts in the field of science diplomacy have opened new horizons in the country's international activities. Cooperation with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), European Union programs such as Horizon Europe, the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), and cooperation projects with developing countries (India-Africa Science & Technology Initiative) are examples of these efforts. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also tried to give a prominent role to international science and technology conferences by supporting international scientific conferences to introduce India as a science and technology hub, holding the India Science Congress and the Indian Science Program (Vaishvik Bharatiya Vagyanik, VAIVHAV), and cooperating with the BRICS group in science and technology. Attracting elites using the Indian science scholarship programs (ICCR Scholarships) and the talent return program (Ramanujan Fellowship & INSPIRE Faculty Scheme), as well as establishing international universities such as Nalanda University, have been other useful measures in promoting domestic science and technology in India. India's foreign policy has also paid attention to health and medical treatment to send the message to the society that science diplomacy is useful. In this regard, the role of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in coordinating joint research projects in the field of public health, international cooperation in the field of vaccines and cooperation in the production of generic drugs and sending them to low-income countries has been important and significant. India is a country with a very large population and a growing economy, and its need for energy is very high. Therefore, within the framework of science diplomacy, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has tried to secure national interests in the field of new energies by cooperating with advanced countries in the field of renewable energies, leading the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and participating in research on sustainable energies, including the development of green hydrogen technology. In general, it should be said that India's foreign policy has tried to use every opportunity to expand science diplomacy and thereby secure India's national interests more than ever.
Conclusion
For conclusion, it should be said that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has played a key role in promoting the country's science diplomacy, and policies of this ministry have had a significant impact on India's soft power and have helped the country present a leading and innovative image at the international level. Through the development of medical technologies and renewable energy, participation in solving global crises and creating suitable platforms for scientific cooperation, India has succeeded in increasing its influence among developing countries and major scientific powers. These measures have not only strengthened India's diplomatic relations, but also facilitated the country's access to knowledge, new technologies and new economic opportunities. Accordingly, the hypothesis put forward is confirmed.