Indian Foreign Policy Under Narendra Modi: A Decade of Transformation

Foreign policy is always evolving.

Modi’s assertive foreign policy approach has redefined India's image to that of a more proactive global player. But can India live up to the hype?

The expansion of security and defense cooperation stands as the most spectacular change in Japan’s contribution to the region in recent years.

China and Russia have pushed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization beyond its original mission, at the expense of practical regional collaboration.

Under Xi, China’s economic approach “has been and is likely to be state-led innovation and development.”

Recent speeches by China’s defense and foreign ministers provide new context on the Global Security Initiative.

From bolstering tech ambitions to propping up the property market, China’s leaders have no shortage of urgent priorities to pursue.

Led by “King” Fu Kun-chi, Hualien County has become a nexus for political and economic connections with the PRC.

In a lecture to China’s top legislative body, a leading computer scientist outlined a national AI strategy focused on developing the real economy and overcoming U.S. tech restrictions.

Hong Kong’s vague and ambiguous concept of “national security,” imported from the mainland, is being applied to arts and culture.

Even as Japan’s government seeks to attract more workers from abroad, public sentiment is souring on foreign tourists.

The ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party scuffle for control over the National Assembly’s standing committees.

Domestic, bilateral, and global trends are combining to reshape China-South Korea trade for the long term.

For North Korea’s military-industrial complex, collaboration with Russia creates a self-perpetuating cycle.

While South Korea’s interests were clear, what was evident from the summit was the lack of clarity on African governments’ joint, specific position on engagement with Seoul.

Narendra Modi has emerged weaker from the recent elections. He is not invincible. Will that change his style of functioning?

The main challenge lies in raising taxes in a country that has long failed to widen its tax base.

A number of factors, including perceived electoral irregularities, a lack of genuine competition, and disenchantment with local governance, has eroded public trust in the electoral process.

Why would Afghans, who are very familiar with Taliban brutality, be impressed with their justice system?

Modi will need to set aside some Hindu nationalist goals to hold on to the support of his secular allies in government.

Why has China taken such strong actions against the Philippines, while seemingly turning a blind eye to major land reclamations by Vietnam?

Reports of arson attacks and the mass displacement of Rohingya civilians in western Myanmar are being used as rhetorical weapons in the country’s civil war.

The region is home to a thriving and massively profitable black market trade in small arms, many of them sourced from official military stockpiles.

The war of words between the Duterte and Marcos clans has made the former president an unlikely – and unconvincing – champion of free expression.

Some Vietnamese nationalists view Phnom Penh’s decision to press ahead with a controversial canal project as a sign of ingratitude.

A recent agreement sketches out the framework for the long-discussed railway to proceed, but many of the financing details remain unclear.

“One way or another, our journalists will do what matters.”

Uzbek imams and religious bloggers occupy an influential space online in Uzbekistan.

Connecting with Iran may be tempting for Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but increased relations with Tehran may ultimately be counterproductive.

Central Asian nations have seized the initiative, emerging as worldwide pioneers in tackling the challenge of repatriating and reintegrating citizens who traveled to Iraq and Syria.

With its proposal to develop nuclear power, the Liberal Party has focused Australia’s collective mind more clearly on its energy future. But the complications may prove far too toxic.

To evaluate whether Wellington’s shift toward tighter defense cooperation is truly abandoning a long-held tradition, first we must ask what an “independent foreign policy” really means.

The island nation is far from alone in adopting a “look north” policy. It’s time for Canberra to take a long, hard look at why.

While political relations have improved, Australian public opinion on China remains generally negative.

As the G-7 seeks to set global standards, including on tech issues, it should be mindful of the diversity of the moral compass in the Indo-Pacific.

It seems unlikely Trump 2.0 would upend security structures in the region. In trade and commerce, however, Trump’s potential return has Asian officials and observers hugely worried. 

The political conditions in the U.S. aren’t quite right – and China doesn’t seem receptive to such outreach, rendering it an unnecessary option for the time being.

Given rising concerns about a Taiwan emergency, it’s worth revisiting the last full-scale invasion of the island in 1895.

A look at where the PLA’s cutting-edge aircraft programs – from the J-XD to J-20 upgrades and the mysterious H-20 stealth bomber – stand. 

Like the 2021 edition, Germany’s 2024 Indo-Pacific Deployment will signal Berlin’s commitment to the region – and the limits of its presence.

Mongolia’s energy security needs to be viewed holistically, as a function of its economy, environment, and geopolitical situation.

Like pre-college education before, high school education in India is witnessing a massive shift to the private sector.

The hit film “Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari” drew its inspiration from the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 2016, prompting accusations of bad taste.

With the DPP’s legacy on marriage equality as a springboard, President Lai should advance LGBTQ rights in Taiwan through a two-pronged strategy.