Geopolitics.
The verse from Shukra–Niti , "सन्धिं च विग्रहं यानमासनं च समाश्रयम्। द्वैधीभावं च संविद्यान्मंत्रस्यैतांस्तु षड्गुणान् — 4.7.234 ," is an old saying that talks about the six smart moves (Sadgunya) in how rulers managed their countries, depicts the same which is written in Chanakya's old book, Arthashastra. These six ideas—making friends (Sandhi), being tough (Vigraha), going to battle (Yana), staying out of fights (Asana), playing both sides (Dvaidhibhava), and asking for help (Samshraya)—really hit home how crucial foreign policy is for good governance and getting along with other countries. They lay out the ruler's job, plain and simple.
India's Place in Today's World
Looking at the world stage today, India, led by the Modi government, keeps working hard to build bridges and foster good vibes with many nations. This includes our next-door neighbors like Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, Along with Asean countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, philliphenes and also big guns like the USA, the UK, African countries, OIC countries like The UAE , Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and the European Union. India's active role in global meetings and its constant push for a fairer world order show it's not sitting on its hands when it comes to diplomacy. While getting everything just right in international relations can be a tough nut to crack, India's steady effort shows it's committed to tackling these challenges head-on. Even though diplomacy is often a game of chess, not checkers, India plays its moves with foresight.
Glorious Past.
Handling Global Issues and Lending a Hand
Recent talks, especially about cross-border terrorism, really shine a light on a persistent problem that India has always kept front and center in world discussions. India has been a loud and clear voice for global efforts against terrorism and has actively joined international plans to fight it. While putting these plans into action has sometimes been a bit of a slow burn, with some countries being more careful, India keeps stressing that a united global response is the name of the game. Plus, India's growing economic muscle and its role as a responsible global player are increasingly being recognized, giving it more diplomatic sway when dealing with knotty international issues. Indian must be a voice of global south, developing countries and those nations who wants to focus on self growth and development rather than many other stuffs which are being done by most of the countries of current time. We should focus on formulating economic alliance rather than military and political, as our army is one of the greatest, so we don't need to formulate any military alliance or be a part in any of it like nato.( Only some of the friends and worst of the enemies visit us —Indian Army.)
This is despite the fact that sometimes, actions speak louder than words, and global cooperation doesn't always materialize as quickly as one might hope. But India's double nature role in major issues is also a important cause when it comes to get support from other countries eg. in russia - ukraine war india yet not openly declared it's stance, in Israel - gaza war india could not able to decide to in which ship it's going to travel. ( That's why prominent thinkers said that when it comes to friendship, any kind of relationship, any kind of business alliance & partnership what matters most is "the clarity".) May be because of this and and unnecessary replies ( Bad**s Replies ) given by respected EAM to Western media sometimes create unnecessary chaos, ie. when we are visiting other nations for trade agreements and peace treaty there is no need to criticize host countries on their past actions. Although respected EAM is excellent Diplomat and we really admire his presence of mind but what we felt is that when it comes to represent whole country on global stage it's really important to respect other countries' own beliefs and sentiments. We accept the damages caused by colonial reign and inhuman exploitation caused by trade practices of west and Britishers, USA's open support to Pakistan even after knowing that it was Pakistan who gave shelter to spearhead of Al-qaeda, a terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden, who caused the 8/11 attack on the building of world trade centre named as twin-tower. But we should learn to forgive them —As forgiveness is The characteristics of strength and power — That's why Forgiving isn't something you do for someone else. We must focus on our own countries growth and wellbeing. Because we are still in a developing phase so what is most important in current time is that forming new strong bonds and making more cooperative world order.
Bipolar Division.
How India's Diplomacy and Help Have Grown
Looking at the current government's time in office, its first stint saw some real home runs in diplomacy. Especially The "No tolerance policy" which is current governments action plan against its mission to extinguish the traces of cross border terrorism. This included taking firm steps against security threats from Pakistan in 2016 and 2019, and standing its ground in dealings with China. These showed India's grit and independent spirit. Later, the landscape of international relations shifted. For instance, India's massive help and medical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, including sending vaccines to many nations, really showed its commitment to global solidarity and its ability to be a first responder when the chips are down. While you don't always get quid pro quo in diplomacy, and no good deed goes unpunished in the cutthroat world of international relations, India's ongoing help, like its big support to Turkey during the 2023 earthquake, proves it's a caring and reliable international friend.
This approach, as noted by the Vice President of India, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar at a recent book launch ("New World: 21st Century Global Order & India"), reflects a foreign policy that's increasingly playing it real and focusing on what's best for the country, while still keeping its humanitarian promises. It's really important to accepting other nations how they are and placing them where they belong to maintain healthy relations despite loosing self interests and benefits.
If you agree or not, we are living in the era where self interest and realism is considered above morality and solidarity. So following vasudhaiva kutumbakam ideology is good, but when!?? When the help is asked, when the support is really needed by the one who asked shelter, and when the humanity is in the crisis. Other than these conditions we don't think that following the most sacred ideology makes sense, atleast till then when other counterparts start to believe in the same. As whether it's in personal life or geopolitical relations efforts from both sides are utmost necessity, if other counterparts are not giving any kind of efforts, it's better to let them go!!!
India's Long-Standing Foreign Policy Ideas
India's foreign policy has a rich and varied past, known for its focus on peace, independence, and working together with many countries (vasudhaiva kutumbakam). Jawaharlal Nehru was the poster boy for the Non-Aligned Movement, which not only gave India its unique place in the world but also offered a crucial third path for newly independent nations during the Cold War. This truly moved the needle on global stability and the end of colonialism.
Indira Gandhi's friendship treaty with the USSR played a game-changing role in the 1971 Bangladesh freedom, showing India's smart planning, and the Pokhran-I "Smiling Buddha" nuclear test showed India's defense power, letting the world know it meant business.
P.V. Narasimha Rao's "Look East Policy" was a big turning point, successfully making India's economic and defense ties with Southeast Asian countries stronger. His time also saw the start of full diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992, which further broadened India's global partners and gave a shot in the arm to India-US relations. His policy included more broader aspect with consideration of globalisation, & liberalization.
Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India chose a "no first use" nuclear policy after the Pokhran tests, showing a commitment to being a responsible nuclear power. He also engaged in Lahore Bus Diplomacy to build peace with Pakistan and hosted Bill Clinton's landmark visit in 2000, which greatly paved the way for improved India-US relations.
And according to our team's analysis in the near future china and India have to meet on their own way of reshaping the economic, political and cultural world order , so we would like to suggest @PMO & top level policy planning experts to think about it, as having such complex ties and relations is not really benefitting to any country. And having good ties with china is far better than having good ties with west, especially The USA, as center of power should be asia neither the europe nor the USA. As we know about the history of "Educated" civilizations, if they get chance, strength or required dominance, believe me again they will push the entire globe in the hell to meet their own greed.
This history shows how India's foreign policy keeps changing to roll with the punches of new global situations, effectively balancing its core values with practical national goals, and always aiming to be a positive and helpful force on the world stage. Despite having such strong foreign policy still the support is missed whenever the requirement aroused, in recent retailiatory actions named as operation sindoor —commenced on 7th of May, Read that in our previous blog published on 6th of May just one day before the commencement of mini war— after Pahalgam terror attack on tourist (on April 22nd 2025) not even single nation stood strongly at India's back and showed open support on its justifiable retaliatory strikes. Even after the All Party 7-Delegations headed by Mr. Shashi Tharoor & Mr. Ravishankar Prasad desperately tried to represent India's voice on global stage but still we have to accept that we have failed at this matter.
All things considered, India's diplomatic journey is a complex tapestry, with many threads weaving together its past successes, current challenges, and future aspirations. And responsibility of India is much bigger than its neighbouring peers as on global level india is considered as a voice of global South. And for maintaining healthy relations with underdeveloped countries of African continent and commonwealth countries which shares same colonial past as that of india.
Reference & Credit
1) www.thehindu.com.
2) www.wikipedia.com.
3) www.youtube.com.
4) istock images.
5) Grammar Corrector.
✡ About Authors :)
1) Ms. Siddhi Zinjurde. ( PS & IR's Scholar )
2) Ms. Tsewang Dolma. ( Scholar from Ladakh )
3) Mr. Vishal Rathod. ( Scholar of behavioral psychology )
4) Anonymous. ( Prominent German Language Scholar )
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A Big Shout–Out to The ∆–:
1) YT-- @English by Aditya Ashtikar. ( hey Reader if you are competitive exam aspirant, Click the hyperlink & Checkout this!!!! ) .
2) English by Nimisha Bansal Mam. ( Pls Search on YouTube!!!! ) .
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