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

The research paper argues that India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi should shift from the 'strategic confusion' of the previous decade toward a pragmatic, non-doctrinaire approach. It suggests that India must redefine national security to include the 'food-energy-water-climate change nexus' and prioritize regional connectivity and infrastructure in South Asia over military dominance. The author posits that India should leverage BRICS and IBSA to promote a more equitable system of global governance and South-South dialogue to support its domestic developmental priorities.

• The author argues that India's foreign policy over the previous ten years lacked the conviction to influence the international order, specifically citing the strengthening of the relationship between Pakistan and China as a major failure.
• To address emerging threats, India needs to broaden its security agenda to incorporate the interconnected challenges of food, energy, water, and climate change.
• India's strategy for South Asia should transition from a focus on territoriality and military dominance toward regional infrastructure development and connectivity, potentially collaborating with China as a partner rather than a rival.
• The document identifies BRICS and IBSA as the primary platforms for India to advocate for a more equitable global governance system led by developing countries and to facilitate South-South dialogue.

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} }