Introduction
A day might be a long time in politics, but even a decade is usually not long enough to merit a serious appraisal in the Foreign Policy. [i]However, in the last decade, India’s Foreign Policy has witnessed a phenomenal change in both the scale and the scope of global politics. At the same time, Indian politics has also gone a major shift too. This would have affected the Indian Foreign Policy as well. Beyond the global shifts, this is particularly commendable since India and the world have experienced challenges of a nature that the global community has not witnessed over several decades. One of the most significant events was the COVID-19 pandemic which was like a black swan even after 100 years when the world. When the world was also recovering from the pandemic, the 2 unanticipated conflicts took place like the Russia-Ukraine followed by Israel-Hamas. Prime Minister Modi assisted by its External Affairs Ministers Late Sushma Swaraj and current EAM Dr S Jaishankar by virtue of taking his bold, visionary and firm leadership, raised the image and profile of India as a partner of choice, a voice of reason and a consensus builder in the world.[ii]
Neighbourhood First Policy
One of the first steps by Prime Minister Modi was the “Neighbourhood First Policy” when he invited the heads of the government of all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) including Pakistan in his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2014.[iii]
The success of Neighbourhood First Policy is evident from the fact that India’s ties with its neighbours (barring Pakistan, China and recently Maldives) are much stronger than they were in 2014. Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Nepal in August 2014 making him the first Indian PM to do a bilateral visit in 17 years. [iv]Since then, Prime Minister visited Nepal multiple times again on November 2014 to attend SAARC summit, then twice in 2018, once for bilateral visit and another for BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit and fourth in 2022 on Lumbini visit on the invitation of then Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba. All these visits and interactions with Nepalese leadership have significantly enhanced understanding and cooperation between two countries.
Similarly, India’s relation with Sri Lanka also improved the first visit of PM Modi in March 2015 was the first visit by Indian PM after long gap of 28 years. India’s support to Sri Lanka will never be forgotten by Sri Lankans for help during 2022 economic crisis of Sri Lanka with $4.50 Billion for urgent and essential requirement strengthened bilateral partnership more in confidence and had taken to new heights.[v]
Act East Policy
India’s Act East Policy was launched on November 2014 and has been remarkably successful in expanding and diversifying its relations in economic, political, strategic, connectivity and cultural spheres with ASEAN nations as well as Japan, Republic of Korea, Pacific Island Nations like Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea) and Australia.[vi]
G20 Presidency
This is the most successful conduct, both substantively and logistically, of the G20 presidency, can be considered pinnacle of PM Modi’s achievements over last decade in India’s Foreign Policy. [vii]No one in the world thought India would successfully conduct G20 presidency in crafting consensus leaders’ declaration, given divergent position on Ukraine Conflict in West, and Russia & China on other. India included African Union as 21st member of group emerging voice of Global South as consequences of remarkable success of G20 presidency.
Conclusion
India’s Foreign Policy under PM Modi has acquired themselves high credibility to deal with global challenges that arise over a decade. [viii]More than any other major power today, Indians view their foreign engagements in unique manner.[ix]
[i] Pant. V. Harsh, “10 Years of Modi’s Foreign Policy: Aspiration meets self-assurance”, *ORFOnline*, March 22, 2024
https://www.orfonline.org/research/10-years-of-modi-s-foreign-policy-aspiration-meets-self-assurance
(Accessed on May 28, 2024)
[ii] Sajjanhar Ashok, “Ten Years of PM Modi’s Foreign Policy: an era of great challenges and greater achievements”, *Firstpost*, March 6, 2024.
(Accessed on May 28, 2024)
[iii] ibid
[iv]Ibid
[v] Ibid
[vi] Ibid
[vii] Ibid
[viii] Ibid
[ix] ibid
By: Utkarsh Garg, Research Intern, USI CS3