India’s foreign policy in 2025 reflects a mature, assertive, and strategically autonomous approach as the country navigates an increasingly complex global order. With a focus on national interest, regional stability, and global influence, India has emerged as a key player balancing traditional alliances with new partnerships.
1. Strategic Autonomy: The Core Doctrine
India continues to follow the principle of strategic autonomy — avoiding entanglement in military alliances while engaging with major global powers like the United States, Russia, the European Union, and China. This policy allows India to act independently on global issues, keeping its national interests at the forefront.
India is a member of multilateral groupings like BRICS, G20, SCO, and QUAD, each serving different strategic and economic purposes.
While maintaining deep defense ties with Russia, India also strengthens its cooperation with the U.S. through technology-sharing and joint military exercises under the Indo-Pacific strategy.
2. Focus on the Indo-Pacific Region
India’s foreign policy has shifted focus toward the Indo-Pacific to counter growing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean.
QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia) cooperation has intensified in maritime security, technology, and supply chain resilience.
India is actively investing in naval modernization and strengthening ties with island nations like Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, and Indonesia.
3. Neighbourhood First & Extended Neighbourhood
India continues its "Neighbourhood First" policy while also extending its strategic reach in West and Central Asia.
With Bangladesh, ties remain strong, centered around trade, water-sharing, and border security.
With Nepal and Sri Lanka, relations have seen ups and downs due to political changes and Chinese influence, but India maintains cultural and developmental engagement.
Afghanistan remains a sensitive area, with India providing humanitarian aid and keeping diplomatic channels open, even with the Taliban in power.
In the Middle East, India balances relations with Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, ensuring energy security and protecting the interests of millions of Indian workers.
4. Balancing Between the U.S. and Russia
India continues strong defense cooperation with Russia, especially in nuclear energy, missile systems (like the S-400), and joint weapons production.
Simultaneously, India is deepening ties with the U.S. in technology, AI, semiconductor supply chains, and defense deals, including joint aircraft development and drone technology.
India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains neutral, focusing on dialogue and humanitarian support, avoiding direct condemnation, and keeping energy imports from Russia steady.
5. Tackling China’s Influence
India’s border standoff with China continues in Ladakh, and diplomatic-military talks remain ongoing.
India opposes China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has not joined it, citing sovereignty concerns, especially over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
At the same time, India engages China diplomatically and economically, as both are major Asian powers with mutual interests in global trade.
6. Africa and the Global South
India has enhanced its presence in Africa through investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. India's development partnerships, vaccine diplomacy, and digital projects have strengthened its soft power in the Global South.
India is also emerging as a voice for developing nations, advocating for fair climate finance, equitable trade, and reforms in global institutions like the UN Security Council and World Bank.
7. Strengthening Diaspora & Soft Power
India’s 30+ million strong diaspora is a major foreign policy asset. Indian missions are actively working to protect diaspora interests, promote cultural diplomacy, and enhance economic ties.
Indian culture, yoga, cuisine, cinema (especially Bollywood), and digital innovation are being leveraged to expand global influence.
Conclusion: India’s Place in a Changing World
India’s current foreign policy is defined by pragmatism, multilateralism, and self-interest, aimed at securing its strategic and economic goals. By maintaining independent diplomacy, India has gained respect as a balancer in global affairs, a pillar of stability in Asia, and a rising voice of the Global South. The next few years will be crucial as India continues to navigate great power rivalries while safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and global ambitions.
https://jayarana.com/