“For India, this is the time, right time (Yahi Samay hai, Sahi Samay hai)” -PM Narendra Modi
Just a month from now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be vying for a historic third term in power, which marks 10 years at the helm of India’s government. The decade has been nothing short of transforming, particularly for India’s foreign policy, with remarkable shifts and successes witnessed under Modi’s leadership. Many academicians have discussed the ‘Modi Doctrine’ in the manner where India’s foreign policy has become ‘different’ since Modi was elected to power in 2014. This discussion has brought attention to the critical role that a leader plays in political leadership. According to Professor C Raja Mohan, Modi has ‘re-energised’ India’s foreign policy on the international stage. There is a paradigm change taking place in India’s foreign policy.
The country’s priorities have extended to ensure energy, food, and water security are protected in the interests of its global diaspora, and address all major international concerns such as nuclear disarmament, equitable trade practices, and environmental preservation. This change reflects changing global dynamics, India’s economic growth potential in South Asia, and its most significant transformation overall. The current GDP figures at 8.4 per cent during the October-December quarter for the financial year 2023-24, India has managed to retain the tag of the fastest-growing major economy in the world. This economic growth has led to an assertive foreign policy as India seeks to protect its global economic interests, secure energy resources and attract foreign resources. This change also allows India to use its economic power to build bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries.
An important aspect of India’s foreign policy development is in the defence sector of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ India’s (self-reliance). Recently India’s defence exports have shown incredible growth, reaching an all-time high of Rs 21,083 crore (about USD 2.63 billion) in 2023-24, a significant increase of 32.5 per cent compared to previous years. These efforts are in line with the ‘Make in India‘ initiative, which aims to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities in the world, paving the way for reaching a target of Rs 35,000 crore (about USD 5 billion) exports by 2025.
India has been a key player in the formation and strengthening of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a strategic forum that includes India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. India’s involvement in the development of the Indian, Middle East, and Europe Economic Corridor is a testament to its commitment to bolstering connectivity and commerce across a significant geopolitical expanse
Crafting a Neighbourhood-First Approach
The ‘Neighbourhood First’ was recently dubbed as the flagship addition to the Indian foreign policy discourse. It was crafted to build solid relationships in the neighbourhood through a consultative, non-reciprocal, result-oriented approach. The principles of the engagement of the neighbourhood have been laid down in the form of Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), Samriddhi (prosperity), and Sanskriti (culture), by focusing on South Asian countries to develop relations and resolving long-standing issues using diplomacy and mutual respect. An initiative like the ‘Act East’ policy not only bolstered relations with immediate neighbours but also expanded India’s reach to Southeast Asian countries in enhancing trade, and strategic and cultural ties.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Under Modi, India has significantly ramped up its engagements with major global powers, which include the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The Indo-US relationship has scaled to newer heights, with enhanced defence cooperation and strategic partnerships. The change of target in Indian foreign policy from non-conflict to international cooperation is a new model of India’s foreign policy and a new chapter in international relations. This shift is driven by business priorities, strategic thinking, and the desire to be more influential in world affairs. Although challenges remain, including managing relations with neighbours and balancing relations with major powers. This change improved India’s international status and helped shape the global geopolitical landscape. Modi’s visits and bilateral talks have been critical in intensifying these relationships and are demonstrable with the increasing defence deals and joint military exercises globally.
India has been a key player in the formation and strengthening of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a strategic forum that includes India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. India’s involvement in the development of the Indian, Middle East, and Europe Economic Corridor is a testament to its commitment to bolstering connectivity and commerce across a significant geopolitical expanse
Leading with a Multilateral Approach
India has been an active player in several multilateral organisations and groupings, such as the United Nations, G20, and BRICS, advocating reforms and changes to elevate their standing in global governance. Recently, India concluded its G20 presidency in 2023, where it had an excellent opportunity to exercise the leadership of a country on global issues, ranging from climate change and the digital economy to counterterrorism. Through the Modi government’s initiative to expand membership to Global South, and enrich these forums with diverse representations, India champions a more equitable global governance model. This effort is in harmony with India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—perceiving the world as a single family.
India has been a key player in the formation and strengthening of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a strategic forum that includes India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Its engagement in the QUAD highlights its dedication to ensuring the security of the Indo-Pacific region and the protection of maritime freedom and open sea lanes. Its involvement in the development of the Indian, Middle East, and Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is a testament to its commitment to bolstering connectivity and commerce across a significant geopolitical expanse. This initiative is poised to significantly contribute to India’s ambition to become a manufacturing powerhouse by fostering a resilient supply chain network. Importantly, the IMEEC is positioned as a viable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been criticised for its debt-trap diplomacy affecting many of its partner countries.
Leveraging Soft Power
India’s soft power has been another focal point of Modi’s foreign policy. Gunner Myrdal, in his book ‘Asian Drama,’ labelled India as a ‘soft state,’ meaning a state that quickly gives in, succumbing and bending to compromise its interests. Modiji has brought about a turnaround in this image with the promotion of Yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood, and its old civilisation of Bharat’s narrative on the global platform. A recent manifestation of the strategic cultural diplomacy of India came in the form of the UAE inaugurating its first-ever Hindu temple. Modi himself took up this task, which considers it a key milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries. The inauguration ceremony of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Mandir, India further deepened bilateral ties with the UAE and actively engaged within the Middle East at the same time. In a triumph for India’s diplomatic efforts, Qatar released eight Indian nationals who have been in detention since 2022. The releases come after high-level diplomatic efforts by the Indian government, including during the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Qatar. Similarly, Modi has even used Buddhist heritage as cultural assets with which they can embrace on other Asian countries. In April 2023, during the Global Buddhist Summit, he added that the teachings of Buddha can be used for them to confront the challenges that are posed by the modern world.
The Modi government has signalled India’s ambition to assert itself as a major player on the global stage, aspiring to be recognised as a pivotal power in its own right. The last decade has undoubtedly set a new precedent for India’s role on the world stage, blending diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and soft power to enhance its influence and address global challenges
Facing Challenges with Resilience
To the extent that Modi has had any foreign policy successes, these have certainly been impressive — but not without problems. He has tried to balance ties with the US and Russia, most acutely visible in the Indo-Pacific strategy and global geopolitical reorientation. Besides, border tensions with China have been an acid test for India’s diplomacy and strategy with a call for nuance in maintaining its national interest and regional stability. His government worked to ensure the security of the borders through integrated policies. With the help of multidimensional, integrated policies, his government worked to ensure the security of the borders. Similarly, under the Vibrant Villages Programme, the village, whose name was looked upon as the last village of the country, is renamed the First Village of the country by PM Modi. During the last two years, work has been done to achieve 100 per cent saturation of 300 government schemes in 6,000 border villages.
Way Forward
India’s foreign policy has seen a notable evolution under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, characterised by proactive diplomacy and efficient implementation. This narrative fits into the broader historical context of India’s foreign policy development over the last seventy five years. Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 is the vision to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of independence. This encompasses various aspects of development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance. The current government has clearly signalled India’s ambition to assert itself as a major player on the global stage, aspiring to be recognised as a pivotal power in its own right. Achieving this status will depend on India’s ability to maintain domestic stability and prosperity while fostering political consensus on the key tenets of its foreign policy. As India looks towards a potential third term for PM Modi, the trajectory of India’s foreign policy appears to be one of continued assertiveness and global engagement. The last decade has undoubtedly set a new precedent for India’s role on the world stage, blending diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and soft power to enhance its influence and address global challenges.
The writer is Special Advisor for South Asia at the Parley Policy Initiative, Republic of Korea. He has authored and edited six books and has various research interests covering Sino-Indian border issues; Transboundary Rivers; Water security; Defence, and Indo-Pacific studies. He tweets @The_China _Chap. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
