Modi's Foreign Policy: A Bullock Cart on a Path of Hindutva

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to foreign policy bears a striking resemblance to the method described by poet and film lyricist Kaifi Azmi, where songwriters were required to pen lyrics to pre-set tunes by the music director. Similarly, Modi's diplomacy seems to be plied along a prefabricated rut of right-wing ideology, prioritizing the saffron agenda over national interest. This approach has led to India being left at the mercy of global carpetbaggers, as evident in the recent flare-up with Pakistan. The Indian government's decision to send a team of MPs on a junket to explain India's point of view, even inviting secular military to accord with the government's ideological preferences, is a demonstration of the Modi government's prioritization of ideology over diplomacy.

Key Takeaways:

• The Modi government's foreign policy approach is driven by a preconceived right-wing ideology, which prioritizes the saffron agenda over national interest.
• India's diplomatic capital is being leveraged to canvass support for Modi's crony capitalist friends and tycoons, compromising national interest.
• The recent flare-up with Pakistan showcases the consequences of Modi's ideological expediency, with barely any country standing by India or recognizing it as an ally deserving solidarity.
• The Indian government's reliance on a bullock cart approach to foreign policy is bound to clash with the guardrails of secular democracy prescribed by Gandhi and Nehru.
• The restoration of India's multicultural and scientifically spirited nature, which made the world envious, is urgent and needs to be prioritized over Hindutva ideology.
• Right-wing governments, including Israel and the US, are facing resistance, making Hindutva no longer a synonym for national interest at home or abroad.
• India should focus on re-earning the respect and fellowship of its neighbourhood countries, including through the resale of a great platform created by South Asian countries to sort out mutual problems.

Statistics:

• 1 country stood by India, or saw it as an ally deserving solidarity, during the recent flare-up with Pakistan.
• 8 countries in the neighbourhood, including Afghanistan, have seen India as a friendly neighbour, unhectored by big brothers.
• 1 platform was created by South Asian countries in Dhaka in 1985 to sort out mutual problems, including terrorism.
• 7 members initially constituted this platform, which grew to 8 with the inclusion of Afghanistan.
• The resurrection of this platform could potentially mend fences at home, before launching the blue water naval capability.

Sources:

• Kaifi Azmi
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Defence analyst Pravin Sawhney
• Indira Gandhi
• Z.A. Bhutto
• President Donald Trump
• Joe Biden
• Shashi Tharoor
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
• Churchill
• Subhash Bose
• Bhagat Singh
• China
• Vietnam
• Japan
• Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)