Foreign policy in international relations refers to the set of strategies, principles, and decisions that a sovereign state adopts to interact with other countries and international actors. It is a comprehensive framework that guides a nation’s approach to dealing with the external world and encompasses a wide range of Fissues, including diplomacy, trade, defense, security, and human rights.
Similarly, from the period of independence until 1991, Indian foreign policy adhered to a closed-economy model influenced by Nehruvian ideals. This approach underwent a significant transformation in response to the financial crisis of that era. Prime Minister Narasimha Rao played a key role in opening up the Indian economy to global forces, implementing drastic changes through policies such as the New Economic Policy. Subsequently, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India emerged as a nuclear power, elevating its international identity and status. The following decade, during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as the head of the government, witnessed the launch of a coalition that spanned ten years.
India’s commitment to the Neighbor First Strategy was exemplified by key events such as the 2014 swearing-in ceremony with SAARC leaders and the 2019 BIMSTEC gathering. It emphasizes the establishment of a SAARC satellite and the pursuit of the Act East Strategy. India’s dedication to the Make in India initiative has significantly contributed to trade, foreign direct investment, and economic prosperity. The nation asserts its global supremacy beyond a ‘balancing force,’ positioning itself as a distinct “post” based on inherent strength. India plays a substantial role in military and defence diplomacy, transitioning from a predominant arms buyer to a global supplier. Modi’s international strategy focuses on the three Cs— connectivity, commercial relations, and cultural engagement— with notable growth in relations with other nations. Modi identifies the three Ds— Democracy, Demography, and Demand— as pillars in India’s global relations. Since 2014, the establishment of a dedicated ‘State Department’ within the Ministry of External Affairs reflects active state involvement in shaping and implementing India’s international strategy.
Prime Minister Modi displayed remarkable enthusiasm for international travel throughout his tenure in the office, surpassing his predecessor Singh’s decade-long foreign visits in a much shorter time frame. He actively participated in high-profile summits and aimed to establish strong relations with leaders from China, Japan, the United States, and South Asia. The government, under Modi’s leadership, revamped key initiatives such as ‘Look East,’ now called ‘Act East,’ and launched ‘Neighbourhood First’ to improve ties with India’s neighbours. The administration pledged to play a significant role in securing the Indian Ocean region, enhancing defence and diplomatic ties from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Critics argue that Modi’s government has revolutionized and energized foreign policy, boosting national pride and soft power, strengthening key partnerships, and restoring India’s global standing and investor confidence. Modi’s strategic partnership with the USA received praise for its foresight, while his adept handling of an assertive China was commended.
On the global stage, Modi orchestrated significant transformations by giving precedence to alliances with Japan and Western powers. India pursued a foreign policy grounded in pragmatism and national interests, emphasizing economic self-sufficiency, social stability, and security. Noteworthy achievements encompassed a trilateral agreement with Afghanistan and Iran to counterbalance China’s influence, along with active involvement with 150 countries. Diplomatic successes extended to engagements with Russia, Canada, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar, encompassing domains such as trade, technology, anti-terrorism initiatives, and infrastructure development. Modi’s pragmatic approach yielded positive results in multilateral forums like the United Nations, where India’s global role and soft power, notably through initiatives like yoga, gained prominence.
The Act East policy gathered momentum, and India’s recognition as a nuclear power expanded. In West Asia, a balanced stance on the Palestine issue and a realistic approach enhanced India’s credibility. Cultural diplomacy thrived with Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian countries, underscoring the efficacy of Modi’s strategy in fostering new relationships based on mutual trust. The revitalized Act East policy injected dynamism and vitality, positioning India as a significant factor in Japan’s policy deliberations and securing global approval for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership.
In an era of rapid geopolitical shifts, Modi’s pragmatic foreign policy stands as a testament to the nation’s adaptability and its commitment to securing its interests on the world stage. As India continues to navigate the complexities of a dynamic international landscape, the legacy of Modi’s pragmatic approach will likely shape the country’s foreign relations for years to come.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s space programme, managed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), continued to advance significantly. Key highlights include the development and launch of satellites for diverse purposes using launch vehicles like GSLV and PSLV. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) achieved a historic milestone in 2014 by making India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit on its initial attempt.
The Navigation System, a regional satellite navigation initiative, extended accurate position information services over India and neighbouring regions. India’s lunar exploration programme, Chandrayaan, featured multiple missions, with Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 confirming water molecules on the moon and Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 focusing on exploring the lunar south pole. Prime Minister Modi announced the ambitious Gaganyaan Mission, designed to showcase India’s capabilities in human spaceflight.
The space programme also emphasized international collaboration, with India partnering with various countries and space agencies for satellite launches, joint missions, and research initiatives. Efforts were made to reform the space sector, encouraging private sector involvement and commercial aspects. The establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-Space) in 2020 was a notable step toward achieving these goals.
As compared to Indian foreign policy, Pakistan’s foreign policy has been vigorously affected by security concerns, especially its verifiable spotlight on India. The apparent help for aggressor gatherings and the accentuation on military arrangements have drawn analysis. Similarly, the relationship with Afghanistan has been a subject of evaluation. Some contend that Pakistan has upheld certain Afghan assailant gatherings, adding to flimsiness in the locale.
The swaying idea of Pakistan’s relationship with the USA has confronted analysis. Some contend that Pakistan’s approaches frequently line up with its momentary vital interests as opposed to a reliable long-haul approach. However, on monetary discretion, pundits feature an absence of accentuation on financial strategy. There’s a discernment that Pakistan’s foreign policy has not focused enough on economic relations. Meanwhile on the Kashmir Question the treatment of the Kashmir debate with India is a continuous subject of hot debate. as Pakistan’s foreign policy has not yielded significant advancement, and there’s a requirement for a more rational and pragmatic approach.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy approach, characterized by pragmatism, has undeniably left an indelible mark on India’s global standing. By prioritizing realpolitik considerations over ideological constraints, Modi has adeptly navigated the complex web of international relations, fostering strategic partnerships and economic collaborations. His emphasis on pragmatism has enabled India to engage with a diverse array of nations, transcending traditional alliances and forging new avenues for diplomatic cooperation.
In an era of rapid geopolitical shifts, Modi’s pragmatic foreign policy stands as a testament to the nation’s adaptability and its commitment to securing its interests on the world stage. As India continues to navigate the complexities of a dynamic international landscape, the legacy of Modi’s pragmatic approach will likely shape the country’s foreign relations for years to come.
