Narendra Modi’s approach to foreign policy is often (mis)characterized as being driven by certain right-wing ideology, citing his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), perceived to be firm about its own ideological commitments. However, a closer examination of Narendra Modi’s approach to external engagement would reveal that he has consistently prioritized pragmatism and national interest over ideology in his foreign policy decisions. He has pursued a realistic foreign policy. While he may have used ideology strategically at the domestic level to reap better electoral outcomes due to the compulsions imposed by domestic electoral politics, his foreign policy decisions demonstrate a clear and pragmatic approach that emphasizes India’s strategic interests, including pursuing its economic objectives and rising India’s global stature in the comity of nations. This article highlights five key instances where Modi’s foreign policy decisions underscore his commitment to realism, thereby limiting the role of ideology in India’s foreign policy strategic discourse.
Visit to the US in 2014
Let us first look at his visit to the US in 2014, when he was invited by then US President Barrack Obama. Before this visit, he was banned by US authorities due to his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002. After his visa ban was revoked following his election as Prime Minister of India in 2014, he was reportedly suggested by some of his partymen that he should not visit the US, and if he did, he should seek an apology from US authorities for the visa ban. However, disregarding his own personal sensitivities, he went there in September 2014 and made a transformational visit that resulted in many landmark initiatives. During this visit, he invited President Obama as chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2015. This was an unexpected move and a total break from the past, as India, being part of the non-aligned world, had never shown such a regard for the US and had never invited any American president to its Republic Day celebrations.[1] This visit was highly substantive, as several agreements were signed. This visit underscored Narendra Modi’s pragmatic foreign policy approach in dealing with major powers like the United States of America.[2]
Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh in 2015
Second is the land border agreement with Bangladesh in 2015, under which territorial enclaves were exchanged between India and Bangladesh. Given his affiliation with the RSS and its commitment to territorial nationalism, who could have imagined that Narendra Modi would pursue such an agreement with Bangladesh involving exchange of territorial enclaves? But he pursued this land border agreement with Bangladesh prioritising country’s national interest, and as a result, territorial enclaves were exchanged, reflecting his pragmatic foreign policy approach over ideological considerations.[3]
Strategic Outreach to Gulf Countries
Third is his strategic outreach to Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Traditionally, these Muslim-majority nations were deemed to have ideological affinity with Pakistan, and considered naturally predisposed towards it. There was a view that they would support Pakistan on every issue, including the Kashmir issue. And consequentially, there was a strategic apathy from New Delhi towards pursuing deep engagement with these Muslim-majority Gulf countries. Narendra Modi challenged the ideological barriers that New Delhi had evolved for itself and pursued greater and substantial engagement with these countries. This approach resulted in a greater degree of change in the behavior of these countries towards India, with some of these important Gulf countries awarding their highest civilian honors to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The UAE has even allowed the construction of the first Hindu temple in its land. Subsequently, Narendra Modi’s strategic outreach has diminished the support Pakistan previously received from these Gulf nations regarding Kashmir and has helped India to some extent in its policy of isolating Pakistan, even in a region that was traditionally the stronghold of Pakistan[4]. Moreover, this engagement has fostered substantial economic integration between India and these countries. For example, the UAE has started investing even in Kashmir, which also indirectly reflects a shift in its stance on the Kashmir issue. In fact, Dubai-based Emaar Properties, has started a mega-mall project in Srinagar, which is part of a larger investment plan that includes setting up IT towers in Jammu and Srinagar. The total investment by Emaar is around ₹500 crore, with ₹250 crore allocated for the mega-mall. Apart from this, the government of Dubai has signed an agreement with India to build infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, including industrial parks, IT towers, multi-purpose towers, logistics centers, a medical college, and a specialized hospital. New Delhi’s greater engagement with the countries of this strategically important gulf region, underpins Narendra Modi's pragmatic foreign policy approach.
Engagement with Taliban 2.0
Fourth, is his strategic outreach to Afghanistan. New Delhi earlier regarded Taliban as a tool of Pakistan and had its concerns about Afghanistan falling into the hands of elements inimical to its security interests. Indeed, there was a fear that Afghan soil might be used by Pakistan to launch terrorism in India, once Taliban would be back in Kabul. Against this backdrop, who could have imagined a few years ago that Modi government would engage the Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan after it took over Kabul in August 2021? Today, India is informally engaging the Taliban and has sent a technical mission there. India is providing humanitarian assistance, including food aid and medical supplies, as well as supporting infrastructure development and capacity-building initiatives there. India also supports the Afghanistan cricket team, and as a result of these numerous developmental initiatives, the Indian government has garnered significant goodwill in the streets of Afghanistan. Under the previous government in New Delhi, India did engage the previous Afghan governments and did invest heavily in high-impact developmental projects such as dams, schools, roads, and other infrastructure projects amounting to more than $ 2 billion Indian rupees. However, engaging the new regime in Kabul under the Taliban now represents a significant shift. There is now a separate budget allocation for Afghanistan, and trade is now being encouraged through the Chabahar port of Iran bypassing Pakistan, demonstrating that Narendra Modi’s foreign policy is driven by India’s long-term interest.[5]
The Balancing Act
Fifth, during Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in July 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced strong criticism of the Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky specifically took issue up with Modi embracing Putin, whom he referred to as a “bloody criminal,” highlighting his condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine. In a post on X, Zelensky remarked[6], “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,” referring to the deadly Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. This statement not only targeted Putin, but also indirectly criticized Modi, reflecting a negative stance towards New Delhi’s position, as it has maintained its diplomatic and strategic ties with Russia despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite Zelensky's criticism, Modi demonstrated a diplomatic maturity and strategic foresight by reaching out to Zelensky a few weeks later in August, becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit Kyiv, demonstrating India’s commitment to peace. These visits highlighted Modi's focus on advancing India’s national interests, regardless of personal criticisms or external pressure. It underscored the pragmatic and strategic nature of Modi’s foreign policy, safeguarding India's broader geostrategic and geo-economic interests over getting entangled in personal or ideological disputes. Modi has repeatedly reaffirmed that realism guides his foreign policy, emphasizing India's long-term national objectives.
Conclusion
These five examples demonstrate the firmly rooted realism of Narendra Modi's foreign policy, which prioritizes India's national interests over ideological considerations. Whether it is mending ties with the US despite personal criticism he had suffered at the hands of the US administration at one point of time, pursuing territorial compromises with Bangladesh, engaging strategically with Gulf nations, supporting Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, or balancing relationships between Russia and Ukraine, Modi’s actions consistently reflect a hardcore realistic and pragmatic approach.[7] By prioritizing strategic imperatives and economic gains, Modi has demonstrated that in the realm of foreign policy, India’s interests take precedence over anything else. This emphasis on realism not only enhances India’s global standing but also underscores a mature, adaptable approach to navigating complex international landscapes.
*Imran Khurshid, Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Kashmir, specializes in Indo-Pacific studies and South Asian security issues. The views expressed here are his own.
Endnotes
[1] “Modi’s US Foreign Policy: Strategic Autonomy Redefined - Imran Khurshid, 2023 (sagepub.com)”, Journal of Asian and African Studies, 8 May 2023
[2] Harsh V. and Yogesh Joshi, “INTA93_1_08_Pant_Joshi.pdf (chathamhouse.org)”, Chatham House, 1 Jan 2017.
[3] Serajul Quadir “India, Bangladesh sign historic land boundary agreement | Reuters”, Reuters, 6 June 2015.
[4] Ashley J. Tellis, "Modi’s Three Foreign Policy Wins - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace”, 24 March 2019.
[5]Anirban Bhaumik, "India's subtle engagement with Taliban-led Kabul signals shift in ties (deccanherald.com)”, 10 December, 2023.
[6] See his post at https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1810437647581716707 on 9 July 2024.
[7] ‘Balancing act’: as India pushes for peace in Ukraine, can it manage ties with Russia, West? | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)”, South China Morning Post, 16 September 2024.
