New Delhi (ABC Live): India’s foreign policy has changed in major ways since gaining independence in 1947. In the beginning, India focused on peace, fairness, and staying neutral. But as the world changed, India also changed its strategy. Today, India plays an active role in world affairs, builds defence partnerships, promotes trade, and helps lead the Global South.

Each Prime Minister added something unique to this journey. Some focused on peace, others on power, some on trade, and others on tech and global outreach. This report explains how India moved from a peaceful observer to a key global player.

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? I. Jawaharlal Nehru (1947–1964): The Peaceful Leader

Core Ideas:

• Believed in Non-Alignment – India would not join either the U.S. or Soviet bloc.

• Supported peaceful coexistence through Panchsheel (Five Principles).

• Promoted freedom and decolonisation in Asia and Africa.

• Wanted India to lead morally, not militarily.

Actions:

• One of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

• Took India’s concerns to the United Nations.

• Supported countries include Indonesia, Egypt, and Ghana.

Challenges:

• Trusted China too much; the 1962 war with China exposed India’s weak defence.

• Believed too much in moral values, not enough in hard strategy.

? Legacy: Gave India a respected voice in world politics
? Limitation: Failed to prepare India for real-world threats like China

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? II. Indira Gandhi (1966–1977, 1980–1984): The Tough Ruler

Core Ideas:

• Believed India must be strong and self-reliant.

• Shifted from Nehru’s soft diplomacy to hard power when needed.

• Saw defence and foreign policy as closely linked.

Actions:

• Signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty (1971) for support before the Bangladesh Liberation War.

• Ordered the Indian Army to help in the war to create Bangladesh.

• Conducted India’s first nuclear test (1974) – codenamed Smiling Buddha.

• Gave India a dominant role in South Asia.

Challenges:

• Tied India too closely to the Soviet Union.

• Had limited engagement with Western democracies and East Asia.

? Legacy: Built India’s nuclear and regional power
? Limitation: Reduced India’s flexibility in a changing world

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? III. P. V. Narasimha Rao (1991–1996): The Quiet Reformer

Core Ideas:

• Believed that economic strength was the key to a strong foreign policy.

• Took bold steps quietly during a time of crisis.

• Wanted India to break old Cold War patterns.

Actions:

• Started the Look East Policy to boost ties with Southeast Asia.

• Opened full ties with Israel (1992) – a big shift from earlier policy.

• Signed a peace deal with China in 1993—the first of its kind.

• Focused on trade, investment, and connecting with new partners.

Results:

• [FDI rose from $75 million (1991) to $2.7 billion (1996)].

• ASEAN became a growing trade partner.

• India gained access to West Asian and East Asian markets.

Challenges:

• Was not seen as a strong public figure.

• His achievements were not well known or celebrated.

? Legacy: Shifted India’s foreign policy to focus on the economy
? Limitation: Did not have enough public or media support

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? IV. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004): The Strong Diplomat

Core Ideas:

• Believed India should act boldly but also talk peace.

• Wanted to show the world that India could defend itself and make friends.

Actions:

• Ordered the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.

• Faced global sanctions, but kept calm and talked his way out of isolation.

• Took the Lahore bus trip to meet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif—signed the Lahore Declaration (1999).

• Handled the Kargil War with care—won back ground and global support.

Global Moves:

• Reached out to the U.S. – laid the groundwork for a future nuclear deal.

• Started engaging the Indian diaspora as a soft power tool (e.g., Pravasi Bharatiya Divas).

• Supported IT diplomacy and India’s tech image.

? India–U.S. trade: $13B ? $30B
? Legacy: Showed strength with a human touch
? Limitation: Less focus on deepening ties in South Asia

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? V. Manmohan Singh (2004–2014): The Global Economist

Core Ideas:

• Believed economic growth was the best way to gain global respect.

• Focused on long-term global partnerships, not short-term wins.

Actions:

• Signed the landmark India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008), ending decades of nuclear isolation.

• Signed big trade deals:

  • Japan CEPA (2011)

  • Korea CEPA (2010)

  • India–ASEAN FTA (2009)

• Joined key groups like the G20, BRICS, and the East Asia Summit.

Results:
? Trade: $252B ? $785B | FDI: $4.3B ? $31B

• India became a regular voice in global economic forums.

• Foreign investments and tech flows increased.

Challenges:

• Hesitant to respond to Pakistan-backed terrorism.

• Didn’t manage regional neighbours like Sri Lanka and the Maldives well.

? Legacy: Connected India with global economic powers
? Limitation: Not bold enough during crises

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? VI. Narendra Modi (2014–Now): The Global Player

Core Ideas:

• India should be strong, fast, and present in all global spaces.

• Uses personal diplomacy and national branding.

• Believes in multi-alignment—working with everyone, on India’s terms.

Actions:

• Led major outreach programs:

  • Vaccine Maitri: Sent COVID vaccines to 94+ countries.

  • Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Kaveri (Sudan), Sindoor (Gaza): Saved thousands of Indians.

  • Hosted the G20 Summit 2023: Gave voice to the Global South.

• Deepened ties with the U.S., Japan, France, and Australia.

• Promoted Digital India tools globally.

? Defense exports: ?686 Cr (2013) ? ?16,000 Cr (2024)
? Trade: Over $1.2 trillion
? Legacy: Positioned India as an action-ready global power
? Limitation: Some neighbours feel left out or ignored

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? Leadership Matrix: How Each Leader Changed the Game

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? ABC Live Insight

“India’s foreign policy was built step by step—from ideas to action, from quiet to bold, from local to global. Every leader added a brick to the wall of India’s global rise.”

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? Conclusion: A Shift from Neutral to Noticed

India’s journey in world affairs has six main phases:

1. Peaceful Start – Nehru’s ideals

2. Strong Regionally – Indira’s defense focus

3. Economy-First – Rao’s market outreach

4. Bold & Balanced – Vajpayee’s diplomacy

5. Global Growth – Singh’s economic power

6. World Stage Leadership – Modi’s fast and firm presence

Today, India is no longer sitting on the sidelines. It is building partnerships, shaping policies, and leading on issues from climate to tech, health, and security.

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