Introduction
Bharat is set to enter a new era in shaping the Global South agenda as a part of its vibrant foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his third term, with a commitment to a “new chapter of big decisions” (SK, 2024) for achieving a Viksit Bharat (Developed Bharat) by 2047. Extending from the successes of the past 10 years, this upcoming phase will consolidate Bharat as a world power with strategic parameters of growth, alliances, and active diplomacy in the geopolitical terrain. Modi’s target to make Bharat the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 will catalyze a wave of structural economic changes, promoting sustainable digital infrastructure, advancing energy transitions, and enhancing Bharat’s shock absorption capacities to global financial volatilities. These measures are not just economic policies but tools of soft power, improving Bharat’s standing as a destination for international investment and cooperation in the eyes of both developed and developing countries of the Global South.
Another agenda that will receive attention from Modi’s foreign policy regime is Bharat’s pursuit of permanent membership in the UNSC, representing the Global South agenda—an ambition Bharat has been harbouring for quite some time now as a testimony to its place on the international stage. It will need to build on its leadership of the Global South and its chairing of the G20, where it was able to build intermediate linkages between the interests of developed and Global South countries. At the same time, efforts to counter the China threat will be stepped up by Modi’s government using the approach of cooperative convergence as well as competitive convergence. Geopolitical issues will continue to be of paramount concern, and as part of Modi’s Neighborhood First policy, New Delhi also seeks to energize relationships with South Asian neighbours through promises of development assistance, infrastructure projects, and connectivity ventures. Bharat’s diplomatic stature in consolidating stability in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other such nations will form a core component.
Modi’s third term will also involve further cementation of major-power relations with countries such as the US, EU, and members of ASEAN, focusing on arms and technology partnerships and synchronized approaches towards issues such as climate change, supply chain disruptions, and energy security. The Quad will continue to remain one of the most important pillars of Bharat’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, but new arrangements such as the I2U2 and bilateral/multilateral cooperation within and outside BRICS and SCO will also remain relevant for addressing global challenges and asserting Bharat’s strategic independence.
Domestically, Modi’s stable and confident dispensation will unequivocally address issues of border consolidation strategies for strengthening Bharat’s defence and commit to pushing indigenization to improve national security communication systems. The Government of Bharat will thus underline its image as a global leader in the unfolding digital revolution and in transitions to green economies through platforms such as the ISA and through accomplishments like the Green Hydrogen Mission.
However, challenges are not scarce when it comes to Bharat. From achieving a strategic balance in managing regional insecurity, containing the Pakistan-China axis, and protecting principles and interests in the Bangladesh crisis to dealing with an unpredictable global economic order, Bharat faces many hurdles. However, increased diplomatic power helps Bharat, which has a government ready for courageous actions and omnibus reforms, to remove these obstacles.
Global Agenda 2025 Bharat has encouraged geopolitical alignments with the developed countries of the Global North that demonstrate its capacity to respond to leading global concerns such as sustainable development, counter-terrorism, securing energy, and technology development. It is interesting to note that both the Global South and Global North are willingly engaging Bharat, strengthening its role as a mediator on different global agendas, and promoting a pragmatic approach to advancing progress. With a focus on multilateralism, equitable development, and a community of shared future, through partnerships in G20, BRICS, and the United Nations, among other structures, Bharat has stood firm on principles embodying equality and sustainability. It has positioned itself as a manager of perceived tensions, offering solutions that represent the common good to all parties. This approach has extrapolative legitimacy and social context appropriateness to Bharat’s culture and ethos because Bharat has always been a civilization where differences were embraced and concord between conflicting ideas was sought.
Bharat indeed is performing an extraordinary role in driving change on the global stage through its commitment to the advancement of the Global South, encouraging South-North cooperation, and embedding multilateralism. The leadership of Bharat, with its historical culture and democracy, along with its commitment to the welfare of all humanity, leads to the resolution of global crises never seen before. By exercising and setting up clear, proactive, and principled foreign policies, Bharat is helping to solve these problems and, therefore, strengthening its role as one of the world’s leaders striving for peace, progress, and cooperation.
As both a Vishwaguru (the world teacher) and a Vaishvik Mitra (the world friend), Bharat supports the ideals of the Global South and gives voice to the 153 developing countries on the most important global issues, including fair economic development, climate change, and technological cooperation. Thus, assuming this role of leadership, Bharat is not just a spectator but also a shaper of global policies and principle-based global structures for sharing the global commons that will resonate with numerous countries seeking justice in multilateralism.
Decoding Bharat’s foreign policy under the Modi government, it has perfectly interpreted the policy of strategic autonomy and maintained equidistance from the power centers of the world. Its strategic model allows independent and balanced relations with the United States, China, and Russia while keeping the territorial integrity of other South Asian nations in view. Fiscal efficiencies allow for the de-hyphenation of relations, enabling Bharat to project its foreign policy in a more assertive manner focusing on the development of economic and military cooperation.
Bharat has not only become one of the actors improving its status in the Global South but also diversified its diplomacy by interacting with more global counterparts on equal terms. This energetic engagement allows Bharat to focus on activities in the Indo-Pacific region. Bharat is interested in maintaining the continuity of a liberal maritime order and adjusting itself to the new regional realities of the Global South.
Conclusion Bharat’s foreign policy experience over the last decade displays the trajectory of its global leanings and a tectonic shift towards assertive diplomacy. Bharat has awakened, actively participating in multinational organizations, procuring its national interests, promoting regional and Global South agendas, and ensuring stability. Foreign policy in Modi 3.0 style will be vibrant, integrating economics, security, leadership, and resilience to make Bharat and the Global South decisive actors defining the 21st-century world. To continue its strategic goals that complement the development of a developed and self-sufficient Bharat, the next five years will focus on strengthening New Delhi’s position as a leading player in the new world order. The simile of one petal of the Lotus (Jambudwip) contributes to the formation of a fairer world in which many centres of power will be in the countries of the Global South.
Reference
SK, 2024.Prof. Suresh Kumar Interview 2025 in the FPRC Journal-60. ISSN 2277 – 2464
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