Moving Beyond GDP-Centric Rankings
Addressing the media, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Chairperson of the World Intellectual Foundation, said the Responsible Nations Index aims to redefine how global leadership and national success are measured. He emphasised that economic output alone does not capture a nation’s commitment to justice, dignity, sustainability and global peace.
Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of WIF, highlighted that the Index reflects India’s civilisational ethos, where responsibility towards citizens, nature and the global community has always been considered fundamental to governance.
Three Core Dimensions of Responsibility
The Responsible Nations Index is structured around three key dimensions. The first is internal responsibility, which focuses on the dignity, justice, and overall well-being of citizens. This includes indicators related to governance quality, social equity, and access to essential services.
The second dimension is environmental responsibility. This evaluates how countries manage natural resources, address climate change, and balance development with ecological sustainability. According to the organisers, environmental stewardship is a critical marker of responsible leadership in the 21st century.
The third dimension is external responsibility, which measures a country’s contribution to global peace, cooperation, humanitarian efforts, and international stability. This pillar recognises that national actions increasingly have cross-border implications.
Globally Anchored and Transparent Framework
Officials clarified that the Responsible Nations Index is built on transparent and globally sourced datasets to ensure credibility and comparability. Prof. Rajib Dasgupta of JNU explained that the methodology has been developed through rigorous academic inputs and aims to encourage informed global dialogue rather than competition.
Ms. Hemangi Sinha, Project Head of the Index, noted that the RNI framework is intended to evolve over time, incorporating feedback from global experts, institutions and policymakers.
Launch in Presence of Former President Ram Nath Kovind
The formal launch of the Responsible Nations Index will take place in the presence of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, adding national significance to the initiative. The event is expected to draw participation from diplomats, academicians, policy experts and international observers.
Col. Akash Patil, Director of the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, said the venue symbolises the values of justice, equality and constitutional morality that the Index seeks to promote globally.
Encouraging Ethical Global Leadership
According to Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, Secretary of the World Intellectual Foundation, the Responsible Nations Index aims to stimulate discussions on ethics, global food security, sustainable leadership and shared responsibility among nations.
By offering an alternative lens to assess national progress, the Index is expected to contribute to more inclusive and humane policymaking worldwide.
