India's foreign policy on 100 days of Modi 3.0: Expanding global influence, strategic alliances

New Delhi, Sep 30: As the Modi 3.0 government completes its first 100 days, India’s foreign policy has been marked by an aggressive push to deepen global engagements, expand its diplomatic footprint, and strengthen its role in multilateral organisations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, demonstrating a clear commitment to enhancing India's stature on the world stage, expanding its wings, and reaching towards all those countries where once access was difficult or out of country’s foreign policy.

From early June 2024, under the leadership of the MEA, there have been dozens of state visits, expanded diplomatic presence, the announcement of the opening of several missions/consulates, and enhanced multilateral initiatives.

Bilateral Engagements

India’s global reach in Modi 3:0 begins with a series of high-profile state visits. The President of India’s state visit to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste, alongside the Prime Minister’s participation in major international engagements—from Italy’s G7 Summit to Russia, Austria, and Singapore—signals the country’s commitment to consolidating strategic partnerships.

In parallel, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) undertook extensive diplomatic missions across West Asia, Southeast, South  Asia, and Europe, visiting the UAE, Qatar, and Germany, among others.

Additionally, India welcomed incoming state visits from the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Malaysia, further cementing its diplomatic rapport within the Indo-Pacific and strength to its Look East policy.

Multilateral & Plurilateral Platforms

India’s active role in multilateral forums has been equally robust. The Prime Minister’s presence at the G7 Leaders’ Outreach Meeting in Italy marked India’s strategic engagement with the world’s largest economies, while the EAM’s participation in the SCO Summit in Kazakhstan and ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Lao PDR underscored India’s regional diplomatic assertiveness.

Hosting the second BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat and the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), which saw participation from 122 countries, highlighted India’s growing leadership in fostering South-South cooperation.

Expanding Diplomatic Footprint

A significant achievement during these first 100 days was the expansion of India’s diplomatic network. The opening of five new Indian missions in Albania, Gabon, Georgia, Latvia, and Timor-Leste, alongside two new consulates in Auckland and Barcelona, reflects India’s focus on deepening its presence in strategic regions, especially in smaller, emerging economies.

Maritime Diplomacy and SAGAR Initiative

India’s maritime diplomacy continues to evolve under the Prime Minister’s "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) vision. Strategic initiatives included the establishment of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka and the resumption of the India-Sri Lanka ferry service. India's support to Seychelles with the refit and handover of the PS Zoroaster vessel further highlights its maritime outreach. Additionally, maritime security dialogues with Australia and Vietnam were held, reinforcing India's regional maritime security priorities.

Renewable Energy and Digital Cooperation

On the renewable energy front, India strengthened its leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), with new signatories including Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. In digital infrastructure, India has made strides in exporting its technological prowess. The signing of the INDIA STACK MoU with Colombia, Cuba, and several Caribbean nations positions India as a leader in digital payments and governance infrastructure, with key agreements signed with the Central Banks of Peru and Nicaragua, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation in Trinidad & Tobago.

Health and Development Diplomacy

Health cooperation has also been a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy, with agreements signed with Brazil, Argentina, and other Latin American countries to enhance cooperation at the drug regulator level. India also pursued healthcare capacity building through the supply of haemodialysis units to Pacific Island nations and the completion of a 20 MW hydroelectric project in Burundi. The ongoing efforts to launch Jan Aushadhi Kendras abroad, starting with Mauritius, highlight India’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare globally.

Cultural Diplomacy and Diaspora Engagement

India’s soft power diplomacy has seen notable achievements. The inclusion of Charaideo Moidam, the burial grounds of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list, combined with the hosting of the 46th World Heritage Committee session, positions India as a guardian of global heritage. Cultural diplomacy extended to hosting the first International Yoga Conference in Africa, while the renewal of the MoU on an ICCR Chair in Mauritius emphasized India’s growing cultural outreach.

The government has also intensified its diaspora engagement with continued efforts to streamline services for Indian nationals abroad. E-passport pilot projects and the operationalisation of the e-Migrate mobile app demonstrate India’s digital-first approach to citizen services.

In its first 100 days, the MEA has adeptly combined bilateral and multilateral engagements, regional security cooperation, and cultural diplomacy to reinforce India’s global standing.

As India navigates an increasingly complex global environment, its proactive foreign policy initiatives are increasing India’s acceptance as one of the global leaders and gaining trust in doing business with partner countries and even partner countries asking India to play a central role in shaping the global order.