Over the past decade, Indian foreign policy has undergone significant changes, reflecting both domestic and global shifts.
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These changes have been influenced by India’s evolving economic, strategic, and geopolitical interests, as well as the broader international landscape. Some of the major changes in India’s foreign policy over the last 10 years include:
1. Shift Towards a More Assertive Foreign Policy
- Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s foreign policy has become more assertive and proactive. India has actively sought to engage with global powers and exert its influence, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The government has emphasized India’s role as a rising global power and has sought a more prominent seat at international forums like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and G20.
2. Strengthening of Relations with Major Global Powers
- United States: Over the last decade, India has deepened its strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in the areas of defense cooperation, trade, counterterrorism, and energy. The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), which includes the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India, has become a central focus of India’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
- India’s participation in the Lemoyne Agreement (also called Comprehensive Global Partnership), which includes defense and technology exchanges, has marked a significant strengthening of ties between the two countries.
- Russia: Despite growing ties with the U.S., India has maintained its long-standing relationship with Russia, particularly in defense and energy sectors. India continues to procure defense equipment, including S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, despite U.S. sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).
- Europe: India has also worked to enhance its relations with European countries, particularly with the European Union (EU), focusing on trade agreements, climate change cooperation, and security issues.
3. Increased Focus on the Indo-Pacific
- The Indo-Pacific has become a central focus of India’s foreign policy. India has actively sought to counter China’s growing influence in the region, especially through initiatives like the Quad and expanding military and economic engagements with countries like Japan, Australia, and Vietnam.
- Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea and collaboration on maritime security issues have been key areas of cooperation for India in this region.
- India has worked to strengthen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s aggressive actions in the region, particularly its maritime disputes and infrastructure investments through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
4. Act East Policy
- Building on the earlier Look East Policy, India has ramped up its engagement with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy. This includes deepening trade and security ties with countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
- India has also been expanding its engagement with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), participating in multiple economic, cultural, and strategic dialogues in the region.
5. Closer Ties with Israel
- India’s relations with Israel have significantly deepened in the last decade, focusing on defense cooperation, technology transfers, counterterrorism, and water management. India has increased its purchase of Israeli defense systems and expanded cooperation in agricultural and technological sectors.
- This shift has been especially evident under the Modi government, where India has balanced its support for Palestinian statehood with increasing cooperation with Israel.
6. Focus on Regional Diplomacy: Neighbors First Policy
- India’s Neighborhood First Policy has been a central pillar of its foreign policy. India has made efforts to improve relations with its neighbors, particularly Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and the Maldives.
- India’s efforts to improve relations with Bangladesh resulted in the landmark Land Boundary Agreement and better cooperation on issues like water sharing.
- Sri Lanka has seen India provide significant assistance for post-civil war recovery and infrastructure development, although Sri Lanka’s growing engagement with China has posed challenges.
7. Engagement with Africa and Latin America
- India has stepped up its diplomatic efforts in Africa and Latin America, both for economic and political reasons. It has been increasingly engaged in development aid, trade, and security cooperation, especially with nations in West Africa, South Africa, and the Indian Ocean region.
- India has also been investing in the African continent’s infrastructure, energy, and human resource development, while strengthening ties with Brazil and Argentina in Latin America.
8. Increased Engagement with Gulf Countries
- India has focused on strengthening its ties with the Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, as part of its energy security strategy. India has maintained its strategic interests in the region, emphasizing economic ties, energy partnerships, and counterterrorism collaboration.
- India has also maintained strong ties with the Shia-majority nations like Iran, although its relations with Iran have become more complicated due to the U.S. sanctions on Iran and India’s growing ties with the U.S.
9. Adoption of a More Pragmatic Approach Towards Pakistan
- India’s relationship with Pakistan has remained complex and strained, particularly due to the issues of cross-border terrorism, the Kashmir conflict, and the 2019 Pulwama attack. However, India has taken steps to ensure that its policy towards Pakistan is grounded in a pragmatic approach, focusing on national security concerns while maintaining an openness for talks under the right circumstances.
- The revocation of Article 370 and the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 further intensified tensions with Pakistan, and relations with Pakistan have largely remained in a state of deadlock.
10. Increased Focus on Climate Change and Sustainability
- In recent years, India has adopted a more proactive stance on climate change and sustainability in its foreign policy. India has positioned itself as a leader in the fight against climate change, emphasizing its commitment to the Paris Agreement and sustainable development.
- India’s role in leading climate-related negotiations at the COP (Conference of the Parties) summits and its call for developed countries to honor their climate financing commitments have defined its climate diplomacy.
- India has also worked to forge stronger ties with countries like France and Germany on clean energy and environmental issues, particularly through cooperation on solar energy and renewable energy development.
11. Global Pandemic and Vaccine Diplomacy
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, India played a crucial role in the global supply chain of vaccines, supplying millions of doses to countries in South Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. India became a key player in vaccine diplomacy by supporting global initiatives like COVAX and partnering with UNICEF and other international organizations.
12. Diplomatic Re-orientation Due to China’s Rise
- India’s relationship with China has become increasingly complex and challenging over the last decade. The rise of China as a regional and global power, especially its assertiveness in the South China Sea, South Asia, and through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has forced India to recalibrate its policies.
- India has sought to counter China’s influence in the region through multilateral frameworks such as the Quad, deeper security cooperation with the United States and other Indo-Pacific nations, and greater involvement in the Indo-Pacific security architecture.
Conclusion
India’s foreign policy in the last decade has undergone notable transformations, driven by domestic factors, regional security dynamics, and global geopolitical shifts. India has sought to project itself as a more assertive, proactive, and strategically engaged global power, focusing on securing its interests through deeper bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation, and regional partnerships. The rise of China, the re-orientation of global power dynamics, and India’s growing global stature will continue to shape its foreign policy in the years to come.