UPSC Review : India’s Global Leap : Decoding PM Modi’s Decade of Diplomacy & Foreign Policy

In this blog you are going to get info on PM Narendra Modi’s Foreign Policy. You are also going to get some important questions regarding UPSC as well , so give it a glance it might be useful.

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PM Narendra Modi Government’s Foreign Policy :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten years have redefined India’s foreign policy, shifting from a reactive stance to a proactive, globally assertive approach. Here’s a breakdown:

“Neighborhood First” Focus:

• Prioritized strengthening ties with South Asian neighbors.
• Emphasis on diplomatic engagement, economic aid, and collaborative projects.
• Goal: Regional stability and shared prosperity.

“Act East” Expansion:

• Deepened engagement with Southeast Asian nations.
• Strategic partnerships to counter regional power shifts.
• Economic and security cooperation with ASEAN.

Strategic Partnership Building:

• Forged stronger alliances with key global powers (US, Japan, Australia).
• Active participation in the Quad.
• Aim: Advancing India’s interests in a multipolar world.

Multilateral Assertiveness:

• Elevated India’s voice in international forums (UN, G20).
• Advocated for India’s positions on climate change, terrorism, etc.
• Positioned India as a key global player.

Economic Diplomacy:

• Used foreign visits to promote trade and investment.
• Focused on initiatives like “Make in India.”
• Leveraged diplomacy for economic growth.

Key Challenges:

• Navigating complex relations with Pakistan and China.
• Balancing partnerships with diverse global powers.
• Ensuring economic benefits translate to domestic improvements.

Modi’s diplomacy has been characterized by a blend of pragmatism and personal engagement, aiming to project India’s influence. While challenges persist, India’s global presence has undeniably grown. The long-term impact of these policies will shape India’s role in the evolving world order.

Key Achievements of Modi Government in Foreign Affairs :

There are some notable successes. Here are key achievements of PM Modi’s foreign policy over the last 10 years, focusing on the points you mentioned :

Strengthening the US-India Strategic Partnership:

• A significant deepening of ties has occurred, characterized by increased defense cooperation, joint military exercises, and high-level dialogues.
• India’s designation as a “Major Defense Partner” by the US reflects the growing strategic convergence between the two nations.
• Cooperation on technology, clean energy, and space exploration has also expanded.

Enhanced Engagement with Japan:

• The “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” with Japan has been significantly strengthened.
• Japan has become a major investor in India’s infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail.
• Defense cooperation has also increased, with joint exercises and equipment transfers.

Growing Engagement with Africa:

• India has significantly increased its outreach to African nations, offering development assistance, lines of credit, and capacity-building programs.
• The India-Africa Forum Summit has provided a platform for enhanced dialogue and cooperation.
• India’s focus on infrastructure development and healthcare in Africa has been well-received.

Increased Influence in Multilateral Forums:

• India has played a more active role in global forums like the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations.
• India’s advocacy for issues like climate change, terrorism, and global health has gained traction.
• India’s voice has been heard regarding the global south.

Improved Relations with the Middle East:

• India has successfully diversified its relations in the Middle East, building strong partnerships with countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel.
• This has resulted in increased trade, investment, and energy security.
• The building of strong personal relationships with the leaders of the middle eastern countries has been a strong asset.

The Quad:

• The strengthening of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the United States, Japan, and Australia, has created a strong diplomatic and military alliance within the indo pacific region.

These successes reflect India’s growing global influence and its ability to forge strategic partnerships across diverse regions.

UPSC Questions Regarding Foreign Policy of Modi Government :

UPSC Mains (Descriptive):

1. “PM Modi’s foreign policy has aimed to position India as a major global player.” Critically analyze the key elements of this policy and evaluate its effectiveness in achieving this objective. (250 words)
2. Discuss the significance of India’s strategic partnerships with the United States, Japan, and Australia in the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region. (250 words)
3. Evaluate the successes and challenges of India’s engagement with its South Asian neighbors under the “Neighborhood First” policy. (200 words)
4. “India’s growing engagement with the Middle East reflects a significant shift in its foreign policy priorities.” Discuss the factors driving this shift and its implications for India’s strategic interests. (250 words)
5. Describe the role of multilateral forums in the Modi government’s foreign policy. How has India’s engagement in these forums impacted its global standing? (200 words)

Mains (GS Paper II: International Relations)

Q1. “India’s engagement with Africa under Modi’s leadership has shifted from symbolism to substance.” Critically analyze this statement with examples. (15 marks)
(Hint: Focus on lines of credit, Pan-African e-Network, COVID vaccine diplomacy, and infrastructure projects.)

Q2. Discuss the strategic significance of the Quad for India’s Indo-Pacific policy. How does it complement India’s traditional non-alignment stance? (10 marks)
(Hint: Balance against China, maritime security, and ‘minilateralism’ as a new diplomatic tool.)

Q3. Evaluate India’s ‘West Asia Policy’ under Modi, highlighting its economic and security dimensions. (10 marks)
(Hint: UAE investments (e.g., JIO), I2U2 grouping, and energy security with Saudi Arabia.)

Interview Scenario

Examiner: “PM Modi’s foreign policy is often dubbed as ‘Neighbourhood First’. Yet, we see deeper ties with the U.S. and Japan. Isn’t this a contradiction?”
Suggested Approach:

1. Acknowledge the multi-alignment strategy.
2. Highlight simultaneous focus on neighbors (e.g., Bangladesh land boundary agreement, Nepal hydropower projects).
3. Conclude with “strategic autonomy” as the guiding principle.

Case Study (Ethics GS IV)

“India’s vaccine diplomacy (Vaccine Maitri) during COVID-19 raised its soft power profile but faced criticism for domestic shortages. Was this ethical? Justify.”
(Key points: Global responsibility vs. domestic priorities, WHO’s praise, and long-term goodwill gains.)

Additional Questions

• “How has India’s role in G20 under its 2023 presidency redefined its global leadership?”(Hint: Voice of Global South, climate finance, digital public infrastructure.)
• “Compare India’s ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies in terms of outcomes.”

I hope you liked this article

Best of luck

Extra reference :

Ministry of external affairs

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