Foreign policy has been considered an area of ​​success for the Narendra Modi-led NDA government since 2014 – historically it has been a sign of a confident, assertive India on the world stage. No period has more effectively demonstrated how India has pursued deeper ties with both the US and Russia without jeopardising one another.

How during its presidency of the G20, India reasserted its old role as the leading voice of developing countries. New Delhi’s diplomatic prowess was on display again this February, when the ministry secured amnesty for eight former Indian naval officers sentenced to death in Qatar. Moreover, when Pakistan offered peace at Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on June 9, India stuck to its stand that the condition for peace remained the same – elimination of terrorism.

India’s growing strategic alliance with the United States has made its ties with Russia, its old ally and major source of energy, seem irrelevant. India has resisted US-NATO pressure to condemn Russia at the United Nations, balancing “principles” with “interests”. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar visited Moscow to reaffirm “strong and stable” ties, signing deals on trade, energy, security and a nuclear plant in late 2023.

While relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are under control, Maldives is the only country whose attitude is ‘not friendly’. The BJP manifesto also talks of laying the diplomatic groundwork for the Maritime India Vision (SAGAR) and the India-West Asia-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to promote India’s trade interests.

What needs to be done

• strategic partnership – Economic, technical and defence cooperation with the US and the European Union will have to be deepened. Mutual cooperation with Quad partners—Japan, Australia and the US—will have to be increased for regional security and economic stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy – Strengthening SAARC and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to promote economic/security cooperation. Trade, investment and cultural ties with South-East Asian countries will be promoted through the Act East policy.
• Better relations with China – Diplomatic and military talks with China must continue to resolve the border dispute and reduce tension on the LAC.
• Reform the United Nations – Push for the long-pending expansion of the UN Security Council; leverage India’s position in the developing world to address economic disparities and promote inclusive growth; spearhead international efforts to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development.
• Combatting terrorism Sharing intelligence and enhancing joint operations with international partners and participating in global counter-terrorism initiatives.

Who is responsible for this?

S. Jaishankar, 69 years BJP
foreign Minister

• shape the policy – Born and raised in Delhi, Jaishankar studied at St. Stephen’s College and JNU, joined the IFS in 1977 and was foreign secretary from 2015-2018. He was made foreign minister in 2019 after joining the BJP.
• Strong Relationships – Jaishankar has focused on strengthening India’s ties with major powers such as the US, Russia and European countries, while deepening engagement with partners in the neighbourhood and the Indo-Pacific region.
• Active diplomacy Active diplomacy was a feature of his first term, including efforts to expand India’s influence in forums such as the G20 and BRICS. Jaishankar plays a key role in promoting India’s economic/security interests in a complex, interconnected world.
• first time Jaishankar is the second diplomat to become foreign minister (Natwar Singh was the first), but the first former foreign secretary to head the ministry

state Minister

Pabitra Margarita, 49 years: BJP

• Artistic connections , Margherita hails from Margherita, an industrial town in Tinsukia district of Assam. He is a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP and was once the editor of two cultural magazines.

Kirti Vardhan Singh, 58 years: BJP

• and here is the majestic background – Kirti Vardhan Singh, a five-time BJP Lok Sabha MP from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh—and thus experienced in governance and public service—comes from the royal family of Mankapur.