India has launched the 'Responsible Nations Index' (RNI), a new global framework designed to evaluate countries based on ethical governance, social well-being, environmental stewardship, and contributions to global stability, moving beyond traditional metrics of economic and military power. The index was unveiled on Monday at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi under the aegis of the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF).

The RNI aims to redefine how national success is measured in an increasingly interconnected world. It seeks to provide a more comprehensive and objective assessment of nations, emphasizing indicators that promote peace, prosperity, and sustainability. The index assesses 154 countries using transparent and globally sourced data to allow international comparison.

The development of the RNI is the result of a three-year academic and policy research initiative led by the World Intellectual Foundation, with scholarly contributions from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai. The World Intellectual Foundation (WIF), established in 2021 as a non-partisan global think tank based in New Delhi, conducts research and develops policy initiatives aimed at addressing complex global issues.

The RNI is built upon three core dimensions:

• Internal Responsibility: This focuses on a nation's treatment of its own people, encompassing human dignity, social justice, citizen welfare, the rule of law, and inclusive governance. It evaluates whether development is humane, inclusive, and just.
• Environmental Responsibility: This assesses a country's commitment to environmental protection and climate action, including the sustainable use of natural resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection, pollution control, and green energy transition. It reflects how responsibly a nation acts as a custodian of the Earth.
• External Responsibility: This evaluates a country's contribution to global peace and stability through commitment to international cooperation, peacekeeping efforts, ethical diplomacy, contribution to global development, and respect for international law. It highlights whether a nation acts as a responsible global citizen.

In the inaugural rankings, Singapore topped the index, followed by Switzerland and Denmark. India secured the 16th position, ranking ahead of several advanced economies such as France, Japan, the UK, and the US. The United States was ranked 66th.

The launch of the RNI also included an expert panel discussion on "From Human Well-being to Global Stewardship: Rethinking Responsibility, Prosperity and Peace in the 21st Century". Sudhanshu Mittal, Founder and Secretary of the World Intellectual Foundation, emphasized that the RNI represents a shift from power-centric metrics to responsibility-centric evaluation of nations, aligning governance outcomes with ethical and humanitarian values.

The RNI is expected to contribute to a more balanced and inclusive understanding of national performance on the global stage. By challenging Western-led indices, the RNI shifts focus from power to accountability, promotes a Global South narrative, and positions India as a responsible actor in a multipolar world. India has frequently questioned the methodologies of Western-centric indices, such as the Human Development Index (HDI) and World Press Freedom Index, citing systematic biases. India aims to become a 'Vishwa Guru' and 'norm-entrepreneur' globally, proactively shaping world discourse and solidifying its role as a leading 'Voice of the Global South'.