India’s Foreign Policy in 2024-25: Key Summits and Agreements

Introduction: Overview of India’s Foreign Policy (H1)

India’s foreign policy has grown increasingly proactive and strategic, especially in the period of 2024-25. Aiming to assert its position on the global stage, India endeavors to consolidate old alliances while forging new connections. This blog post highlights the major summits, bilateral agreements, and diplomatic strategies that have defined India’s foreign engagement during this period.

1. Indo-US Relations: Strategic and Economic Convergence

The India- US relationship reached a new high in 2024, driven by defense, technology, and trade convergence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in September 2024, engaging with President Joe Biden and other key officials. The discussions were aimed at deepening cooperation in key strategic areas:

  • Defense Cooperation: India finalized a landmark agreement to procure 31 MQ-9B drones from the US, enhancing India’s surveillance and defense capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. This is significant in the context of growing Chinese maritime assertiveness.

  • Semiconductor Collaboration: A US-based chip manufacturing firm announced the setup of a new semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This reflects the growing synergy in critical and emerging technologies.

  • Trade Talks: India and the US resolved several pending trade issues and agreed to reduce tariffs on certain American goods. Energy trade saw a boost with discussions on LNG imports. India is considering scrapping import duties on US LNG in exchange for access to American markets for Indian pharmaceuticals and textiles.

  • United Nations Diplomacy: Prime Minister Modi addressed the UN Summit of the Future, reiterating India’s commitment to a rules-based international order, counter-terrorism, and reformed multilateralism.

2. India-China: Cautious Stabilization

The India- China relationship continues to be marked by both cooperation and contestation. While the border standoff that began in 2020 remained unresolved for years, 2024 witnessed a diplomatic thaw:

  • October 2024 Border Agreement: A critical outcome of military and diplomatic talks was the agreement allowing mutual patrolling in areas like the Depsang Plains and Demchok. Though not a complete resolution, it marked a step toward restoring confidence.

  • BRICS Summit Meeting: On the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, PM Modi and President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting after five years. While no joint statement was issued, both sides emphasized the need to manage their differences through dialogue.

  • Multilateral Engagement: India continued its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), asserting its sovereignty in multilateral forums.

3. BRICS Expansion and Institutional Innovation

The 16th BRICS Summit (October 2024) in Kazan, Russia, was a turning point for the grouping, focusing on reforming global financial systems and promoting multipolarity.

  • BRICS Pay: The member nations launched “BRICS Pay,” a digital payment system aimed at bypassing the Western-dominated SWIFT network. This aligns with India’s goal to internationalize the RuPay and UPI systems.

  • New Memberships: The bloc expanded its membership to include Argentina, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia, with India supporting the inclusion of Global South countries to counterbalance Western influence.

  • Climate Financing and Development: India advocated for enhanced BRICS cooperation in climate financing and emphasized the need for technology transfer to developing nations.

4. Engagement with Europe: Reviving Strategic Partnerships

India’s outreach to Europe in 2024-25 focused on both economic and geopolitical partnerships.

  • TEPA with EFTA (March 2024): India signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). This is India’s first FTA with a European economic bloc. It aims to boost trade, especially in pharmaceuticals, IT services, and dairy exports.

  • Bilateral Visits: PM Modi visited Austria and Poland after decades, marking a renewed engagement. In Austria, discussions centered on green energy and research collaboration, while in Poland, defense cooperation and migration policies took center stage.

  • India-France Strategic Dialogue: The India-France Strategic Dialogue included defense procurement, space technology collaboration, and Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation. France reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership at the UNSC.

5. Middle East: Energy and Diaspora Diplomacy

India’s ties with the Gulf nations grew deeper, reflecting its energy needs, strategic interests, and the importance of the Indian diaspora.

  • UAE Visit (February 2024): Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, an important symbol of cultural diplomacy. Agreements signed included cooperation in renewable energy, fintech, and defense manufacturing.

  • India-Qatar Relations: India released eight former Navy personnel in Qatar, previously accused of espionage. This diplomatic success showcased India’s leverage and negotiation capabilities in the region.

  • India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Council: Both sides agreed on furthering the Strategic Partnership Council, focusing on digital infrastructure, oil trade, and sovereign wealth fund investments into India’s infrastructure sector.

6. Neighborhood First: Stability and Connectivity

India’s neighborhood policy remained active, with a focus on development, security, and regional integration.

  • Bhutan (March 2024): PM Modi visited Bhutan to reinforce hydropower and digital connectivity cooperation. India reaffirmed its support for Bhutan’s upcoming five-year plan.

  • Nepal and Bangladesh: In both nations, India invested in cross-border rail and electricity projects. The Siliguri-Kakarbhitta rail link in Nepal and the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline were inaugurated.

  • Sri Lanka: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Colombo to pledge additional assistance for economic recovery and finalize a grid connectivity project under the India-Sri Lanka Energy Partnership.

7. Multilateral Forums and Global South Leadership

India leveraged various forums to emphasize its leadership among developing nations.

  • G-20 (India’s Presidency 2023 Legacy): India built on the goodwill generated during its G-20 presidency by continuing to champion the Global South’s agenda on global platforms.

  • East Asia Summit (October 2024): India called for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific while criticizing unilateralism in the South China Sea.

  • United Nations Reform Advocacy: India pushed for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and supported the inclusion of Africa and Latin America to make it more representative.

8. Africa Outreach and Global South Solidarity

  • India- Africa Forum Summit (Virtual, December 2024): India reiterated its commitment to Africa’s development by announcing lines of credit, vaccine supply, and digital infrastructure partnerships.

  • Defense Engagements: Joint training exercises with African nations such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique continued under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.

Conclusion

India’s foreign policy in 2024-25 reflects a mature diplomatic approach that balances strategic autonomy with pragmatic engagement. From enhancing defense preparedness to promoting digital payments, from border agreements to cultural diplomacy, India has demonstrated that it is willing and capable of playing a key role in shaping the global order. For UPSC aspirants, understanding this period is essential to grasping the nuances of India's multi-aligned foreign policy and its implications on global geopolitics.

Key themes such as strategic convergence with the US, cautious normalization with China, focus on regional stability, and leadership in the Global South will continue to define India’s foreign policy trajectory in the coming years.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Classification of mountains on the basis of Location, Origin, Formation

Image
  Mountains are landforms that rise above the Earth's surface, characterized by slopes, steep sides, and a pointed top called a peak. They are formed due to tectonic forces, volcanic activity, or erosion. Mountains play a vital role in influencing climate, storing freshwater, and supporting biodiversity."  William Morris Davis defines mountains as elevated land masses formed by endogenic forces, undergoing a cycle of youth, maturity, and old age through erosion. Types of Mountains Based on the Period of Origin Earth has experienced a total of  nine major orogenic movements  (mountain-building phases) throughout its geological history. Some of these orogenies occurred in the Precambrian era , dating back 3,500 to 600 million years ago , and are among the oldest known. The three most recent and geologically significant orogenies are: Caledonian Orogeny (around 400 million years ago) Hercynian Orogeny (around 300 million years ago) Alpine Orogeny (began around 65 mi...
Read more

Iran vs Israel: The Current War and the History Behind Their Conflict

Current context: As of June 2025 , the Iran–Israel conflict has escalated into one of the most dangerous standoffs in decades. On June 13 , Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a massive military campaign targeting over 100 Iranian sites, including suspected nuclear facilities like Natanz and Fordow . In response, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israeli cities between June 14–16 , hitting both civilian and diplomatic targets. A missile hit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. Other strikes damaged schools and even the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv , causing injuries to civilians. Iran has reported over 650 deaths and 2,000+ wounded from Israeli strikes. Israel also confirmed several civilian casualties. The U.S., EU, Russia, and China are now actively involved in pushing for de-escalation. The European Union is holding emergency talks in Geneva , while the U.S. considers its next move. 💥 This is no longer a proxy war — it's dangerously close to ...
Read more

"Unveiling the Mysteries of the Harappan Civilization: Ancient India's Ingenious Urban Planning and Trade Secrets"

Image
Introduction The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the world’s earliest urban societies. It existed over 4,000 years ago in parts of modern-day India and Pakistan. The people of Harappa built well-planned cities, had excellent drainage systems, and were skilled traders. They created beautiful pottery, seals, and jewelry, showing their artistic side. In this blog, we’ll explore the life, achievements, and mysteries of the Harappan people, and learn why their civilization eventually disappeared. sources to know about harrapan civilization The Harappan Civilization is a fascinating chapter in history, and we know about it today thanks to a variety of sources that shed light on different aspects of this ancient society. Here’s a look at some of the main ways historians and archaeologists have pieced together the story of the Harappans: Archaeological Excavations Much of what we know about the Harappan Civilization comes from archaeological exc...
Read more

Miracle and Tragedy: The Air India Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad — Complete Timeline & Updates

Image
  1. Snapshot What happened: Air India Boeing 787‑8 Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick, crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar about 30 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025, at 13:38 IST   Fatalities: 241 occupants onboard plus at least 28 on the ground—totaling at least 269 deaths   Survivor: A sole survivor—British national Viswashkumar Ramesh , seated in exit row 11A—escaped with non-life-threatening injuries   2. The Crash Sequence After liftoff, the aircraft climbed to around 625 ft before rapidly descending and crashing within 33 seconds   CCTV and witness videos show the jet suddenly plummeting, crashing into residential buildings, and erupting in flames. 3. Victims & Ground Impact Onboard: 230 passengers and 12 crew—including 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian nationals. On the ground: Over 28 killed and around 60 injured among hostel residents and me...
Read more

Kancha Gachibowli Forest: Balancing Urban Growth and Environmental Protection

  Kancha Gachibowli Forest: The Battle Between Urban Growth and Green Survival 🏞️ What is Gachibowli? Understanding the Name and the Place Gachibowli is a busy tech area in Hyderabad, but its name comes from history. "Gachi" means lime mortar, and "Bowli" means a stepwell. These stepwells were used by travelers to rest and get water. Over the years, this area grew from a quiet suburb into a city hub with IT parks, stadiums, and top universities like the University of Hyderabad and IIIT-Hyderabad . In the middle of this modern development lies the  Kancha Gachibowli forest , a green area full of life. It's now caught in a battle between building new things and saving nature. 📰 Why is Kancha Gachibowli in the News? In early 2024, the Telangana government planned to sell 400 acres of land , including part of the Kancha Gachibowli forest, to build a new IT and financial district . They said it would bring in Rs. 50,000 crore and 5 lakh new jobs. But this pl...
Read more