India Rising: Modi’s Foreign Policy as One of Problem-Solving

This research paper analyzes the shift in India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing for a transition from the perceived strategic confusion of the previous UPA government to a pragmatic approach. It suggests that India should prioritize regional connectivity in South Asia, address emerging security threats like climate change and cyber-attacks, and utilize BRICS and IBSA to advocate for a more equitable system of global governance.

• The author characterizes the previous ten years of India's foreign policy under the Congress-led UPA government as a period of "hesitation and strategic confusion" that lacked the conviction to shape international relationships or the international order, specifically citing the strengthening of the nexus between China and Pakistan as a major failure.
• To be effective, the Modi government's foreign policy should be based on pragmatism and flexibility rather than ideology, balancing strategic autonomy with collaboration and expanding the security agenda to include emerging threats like cyber-attacks and the "food-energy-water-climate change nexus".
• India's strategy for South Asia should prioritize connectivity and regional infrastructure development over territoriality or military dominance, which includes the possibility of working with China as partners to promote regional connectivity.
• The author identifies BRICS and IBSA as the primary platforms for Prime Minister Modi to pursue economic growth and advocate for a global governance system that is more equity-based and driven by developing countries, noting that IBSA is particularly suited for South-South dialogue due to its membership of three democratic nations.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2014). India Rising: Modi’s Foreign Policy as One of Problem-Solving. https://saiia.org.za/research/india-rising-modis-foreign-policy-as-one-of-problem-solving/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. India Rising: Modi’s Foreign Policy as One of Problem-Solving. 2014. https://saiia.org.za/research/india-rising-modis-foreign-policy-as-one-of-problem-solving/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=India Rising: Modi’s Foreign Policy as One of Problem-Solving |date=24 July 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/india-rising-modis-foreign-policy-as-one-of-problem-solving/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2014india, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{India Rising: Modi’s Foreign Policy as One of Problem-Solving}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = jul, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/india-rising-modis-foreign-policy-as-one-of-problem-solving/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }