The Aakhya Weekly #128 | India’s Foreign Policy in 2024 - A Year of Bridges and Breakthroughs
In Focus: Key Highlights of India’s 2024 Foreign Policy Wrap-Up
by Lovenish Kumar
As 2025 begins, it is important to reflect on the events and efforts that defined India’s engagement on the global stage in 2024. The year presented a mix of challenges and opportunities, requiring India to navigate complex international dynamics while maintaining focus on its strategic objectives. From fostering regional ties to addressing pressing global issues, India’s foreign policy reflected a pragmatic approach aimed at balancing domestic priorities with its expanding international role.
The year saw India undertaking measured steps to strengthen partnerships and engage in multilateral platforms, shaping its position in an evolving global landscape. Let’s explore how these efforts unfolded and what they tell us about India’s evolving role in the world.
Strengthening Regional Ties: The Neighborhood First Policy
Prime Minister Modi’s third-term swearing-in ceremony saw the attendance of leaders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal. This gathering focused on India’s continued commitment to the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region). These initiatives focused on fostering regional collaboration and enhancing connectivity, ensuring shared growth and stability.
A notable milestone in India’s engagement with China was the agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This step towards stability, complemented by discussions between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, underscored India’s focus on addressing border tensions while securing its territorial integrity. Further, the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives in Beijing laid a framework for sustained dialogue.
Relations with Pakistan, however, remained complex. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s participation in the SCO Summit avoided direct bilateral dialogue, reaffirming India’s consistent position that "talks and terror cannot go hand in hand." This diplomatic stance reflects India’s insistence that Pakistan demonstrates concrete actions against terrorism before engagement can proceed.
Addressing Changes in Bangladesh
The year 2024 was a tumultuous one for Bangladesh, marked by the political upheaval that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Amid rising violence against minorities, India stepped in to engage with the interim government under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Prime Minister Modi reached out to underline the importance of fostering a stable, democratic, and inclusive environment in Bangladesh.
At various levels, India voiced its concerns about safeguarding the rights and safety of minority communities. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka further emphasized India’s steadfast support during this period of transition, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups and advancing development projects that reinforce India’s role as a dependable partner in the region.
Expanding Influence Beyond Borders
India’s Act East Policy, which completed a decade in 2024, has grown into a cornerstone of its outreach to ASEAN countries. At the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Modi outlined a 10-point plan centered on improving connectivity, fostering disaster resilience, and strengthening regional cooperation. Bilateral partnerships with Singapore, Brunei, and Laos demonstrated India’s proactive approach to shaping the Indo-Pacific framework.
In the Middle East, India deepened its ties through high-level visits to the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. Agreements such as integrating India’s RuPay system with UAE’s JAYWAN system signaled growing economic cooperation. Additionally, the safe return of ex-naval officers from Qatar and the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in the UAE reflected India’s ability to merge cultural diplomacy with strategic goals.
Strengthening Ties in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean Island
President Droupadi Murmu’s visits to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi underscored India’s expanding presence in Africa. These engagements highlighted South-South cooperation and equitable development, further cementing India’s role as a partner in addressing developmental challenges.
In Latin America, Prime Minister Modi’s engagements with leaders in Brazil, Guyana, and the Caribbean showcased efforts to enhance economic and cultural ties. Guyana’s ‘Order of Excellence’ award to PM Modi reflected the region’s appreciation for India’s constructive contributions, especially in capacity building and technology transfer.
Collaborating with Global Powers
India’s partnership with the United States gained further traction in 2024 with agreements on semiconductors and a $4 billion deal for advanced drone technology. Prime Minister Modi’s active participation in the Quad and G7 summits reaffirmed India’s commitment to multilateralism and addressing global challenges, including climate change and supply chain resilience. Read more about semiconductor policy, do check out our focus piece at Aakhya Weekly
Relations with Russia remained robust, characterized by bilateral visits and economic cooperation. India’s balanced approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict—including Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Kyiv—emphasized a commitment to peace through dialogue. The provision of BHISHM medical aid cubes for Ukraine reflected India’s readiness to address humanitarian crises.
Advancing Soft Power and Innovation
India’s cultural and technological initiatives continued to resonate globally. The adoption of India’s UPI system by countries like UAE, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius illustrated India’s leadership in digital innovation. Meanwhile, cultural exchanges, such as Ramayana performances in Laos and the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair in Houston, demonstrated the depth of India’s soft power.
Awards conferred on Prime Minister Modi by countries such as Russia, Kuwait, and UAE and Guyana reflected global recognition of India’s diplomatic efforts. These accolades highlighted India’s role in fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges.
Managing Strains in India-Canada Relations
India’s relationship with Canada faced significant strain in 2024, marked by the expulsion of diplomats on both sides. The tensions stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations linking Indian intelligence to the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was labeled a Khalistani terrorist by India. While Canada’s reluctance to extradite individuals sought by India has been a longstanding issue, the recent diplomatic fallout brought these challenges to the forefront.
India’s concerns about Khalistani extremism in Canada—including the hosting of referendums advocating for a separate Khalistan—further deepened the divide. Canada’s strong emphasis on freedom of speech and its high legal thresholds for defining hate speech were cited as factors limiting action against such activities. Meanwhile, India highlighted the implications of inaction, emphasizing the potential for such movements to incite tensions both domestically and internationally. Despite these challenges, the relationship continues to hold potential for improvement if mutual concerns are addressed through dialogue and legal cooperation.
Economic Diplomacy and Trade
Economic diplomacy took center stage in 2024 with significant developments in trade agreements. The India-EFTA partnership and advancements in FTAs with the EU and UK underscored India’s commitment to expanding its trade networks. Initiatives like Bharat Mart in the UAE and investment drives by state governments further amplified India’s economic appeal.
The Vibrant Gujarat Summit attracted substantial international attention, showcasing India as a prime investment destination. These efforts, coupled with proactive state-level diplomacy, illustrated how economic and foreign policy goals align to foster sustainable growth.
Building Diplomatic Momentum
India’s foreign policy in 2024 exemplified a measured and results-oriented approach, addressing multifaceted challenges while fostering meaningful collaborations. By focusing on regional stability, advancing economic ties, and championing cultural diplomacy, India has positioned itself as a key player in global affairs.
As India looks to 2025 and beyond, the emphasis remains on inclusivity, sustainability, and partnerships that reflect mutual respect and shared goals. This forward-looking approach ensures that India’s role on the global stage continues to evolve, contributing to a more balanced and interconnected world.
Top Stories of the Week
India's Defence Reforms in 2025
Ministry of Defence has declared the year 2025 as the "Year of Reforms" by India's aiming to modernise the armed forces and enhance their combat readiness. This reform agenda focuses on the establishment of integrated theatre commands designed for multi-domain operations, ensuring efficient utilisation of military resources across new operational landscapes such as cyber and space. The reforms also highlight the importance of self-reliance in defence procurement, fostering collaboration between civil and military sectors, and prioritising indigenous production. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised that these initiatives would not only transform the military into a technologically advanced force but also ensure India's security in the 21st century. As the armed forces embark on this transformative journey, the focus will be on developing joint operational capabilities that are essential for modern warfare.
Cabinet Approves Extension and Enhancement of PMFBY and RWBCIS
On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) until 2025-26, with an outlay of Rs. 69,515.71 crore.
This decision ensures risk coverage for crops affected by non-preventable natural calamities across the country. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of Rs. 824.77 crore to promote technological initiatives like YES-TECH and WINDS. YES-TECH uses remote sensing for yield estimation, while WINDS aims to enhance weather data collection with Automatic Weather Stations. With a focus on North Eastern States, the government plans to ensure comprehensive coverage for farmers, offering a 90% premium subsidy in these regions. The initiative is set to significantly improve transparency, claim settlement, and risk management in agriculture.
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