For a second term, Mr. S. Jaishankar was appointed as the Foreign Affairs Minister and he hit the ground running on 10 June, sending out a message of continuity and “business as usual” for Indian foreign policy in new government. On the other hand, he took charge for his second consecutive term on 11 June itself even before his portfolio was formally announced by calling all seven neighbourhood leaders personally invited to observe PM Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. This is an attempt by Mr. Modi to get ahead of the first and many more foreign policy challenges that will come into play within India’s neighbourhood during his third tenure – by including Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu whose government was at loggerheads with New Delhi until India agreed to withdraw its troops from Southern Atolls.
However, Mr. Jaishankar will have a new team after spending most of the last decade in South Block None of the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) three previous MoS’s have been retained as Ministers while their successor is Kirti Vardhan Singh from UP and Pabitra Margherita from Assam. Besides, Deputy NSA Vikram Misri is widely seen as Vinay Kwatra’s long-term replacement when his extension ends in October.
But when it came to External Affairs, former Foreign Secretary and Chairperson of NSAB Shyam Saran said that he does not expect any major changes in policy since Mr. Jaishankar will still be there.
“The hope is re-engagement with Pakistan and trying to identify a new equilibrium with China,” he replied when asked about what he would like to see reflected in the country’s future foreign agenda by The Hindu journalist last week.” What has happened here is that because we have sought such high profile globally then it means that our region got less attention than it deserved… I certainly would like this issue regarding our neighborhood which is fundamental or critical to Indian interests to take the center stage,” he said. However, for India, it seems too early to re-engage with Pakistan; but restoring High Commissioners and reviving some of the cross-border trade for agricultural goods could be a possibility, notably if PM Modi chooses to meet his counterpart Shehbaz Sharif in June at the SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The eyes will keep watching whether there is going to be a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi on this platform thereby overcoming the four-year old ongoing military stand-off at LAC. In April this year during an interview with Newsweek magazine, Mr. Prime Minister referred to India-China relations as “important and significant”, saying that such an issue should urgently be discussed through talks without pointing accusing fingers at China.
This is majorly about keeping balance between global north and south i.e. U.S. and Russia by Indian government in its agenda for now That was among PM Modi’s achievements as a leader of second term whereby he managed not only bring India into a “sweet spot” (in terms of siding either with Ukraine or Russia) but also ensured that both sides courted his country’s favor During June 13-14, PM will visit Italy where G-7 outreach shall take place on behalf western countries; and later Astana on July 3-4, when Russian President Putin’s visit is scheduled with BRICS summit coming up in October thereafter which might probably bring him back to Russia.
Mr. Modi is not expected to attend the Swiss Peace Conference on Ukraine this weekend, but India’s decision to participate at an official level shows that it is willing to play a role in the resolution of the conflict. New Delhi may also adopt a wait-and-see approach for some months until US elections — because “if Trump becomes President and Washington changes, it will destroy whatever remains of world order”, noted Mr. Saran.
Just like in his previous terms, Mr. Modi will work towards establishing India’s brand in global politics — with his first term marked by multiple “soft power” measures such as International Yoga Day, and mega-shows featuring diasporas worldwide; while during his second tenure he capped with G-20 summit and showcasing of Indian diplomacy and organizational abilities over short periods. In this September that follows, PM Modi might offer a glimpse into what the government plans for its next innings by attending UN General Assembly where he could possibly join other G-4 members (Germany, Japan and Brazil) in making a major pitch for accelerated UN reform meant to increase permanent Security Council seats which are yet elusive as well as set stage for India’s next bid for non-permanent UNSC seat in 2028-2029. As we can see from all these examples above our country has been trying very hard to completely rebrand itself as a modern power that matters globally and have more influence among international community. In 2028 PM Modi has also made a big push to host COP Climate Change Summit.
