Recalibrating Indian Foreign Policy under Narendra Modi: A Comprehensive Review of Strategic Shifts, Ideational Narratives, and Global Engagement
1. Avinash patel, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Student, India
Since 2014, India’s foreign policy has undergone a visible transformation
marked by greater diplomatic assertiveness, energetic global outreach, and the
construction of new ideological narratives. This review examines how the period
from 2014 to 2025 has reshaped India’s external engagements through a
combination of strategic recalibration, leadership-driven diplomacy, and
civilizational framing. The paper analyzes major themes such as India’s
transition from a traditionally cautious foreign policy toward a more proactive
and multi-aligned strategy, the rise of the Indo-Pacific as a central
geopolitical space, and the growing emphasis on national identity in shaping
global interactions. It highlights how India’s leadership has increasingly
employed public diplomacy, branding, and high-level summits to project national
confidence and enhance India’s international visibility. The review also
explores soft power initiatives, economic diplomacy, diaspora engagement, and
India’s efforts to balance major power rivalries while asserting its
independent voice in global governance. Overall, the study argues that the Modi
era represents a complex blend of continuity and innovation, combining
long-standing strategic principles with new ideational narratives and diplomatic
frameworks that aim to elevate India’s global stature in an evolving multipolar
world.
Indian foreign policy Modi era diplomacy multi-alignment strategy Indo-Pacific strategy civilizational soft power global leadership aspirations
The scholarly literature demonstrates that India’s foreign policy under Narendra Modi represents a fusion of continuity, strategic adaptation, and ideational innovation. While foundational principles such as autonomy remain central, the Modi government has infused foreign policy with new energy, narrative depth, and global ambition. Concepts such as Vishwaguru, multi-alignment, and Indo-Pacific leadership illustrate India’s desire to redefine its role amid global uncertainties. The assertive diplomatic style, personalized engagement, and strategic partnerships underscore a shift toward a more visible and influential India. This review concludes that India’s foreign policy from 2014 to 2025 reflects a recalibration aimed at elevating India’s strategic standing, balancing great-power competition, and advancing a civilizational narrative that complements its geopolitical aspirations.
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The study's design, data collection, result analysis, and manuscript preparation were entirely managed by the author.
No specific funding was provided by any public, commercial, or non-profit sectors for this study.
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The authors disclose no conflicts of interest in relation to this work.
Thanks to all who provided assistance and expertise for this research and manuscript, and to the peer reviewers for their constructive feedback.
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