Four years of Modi government: A look at India's foreign policy

It's been a year of hits and misses in foreign policy terms. India is struggling to reinforce its credentials in its own neighbourhood against a resurgent China.  The United States, under Donald Trump, conveys only incoherence. Ties with Russia are under strain as Moscow moves closer to China and Pakistan.  Here's a look at four years of PM Modi's foreign policy.

In politics, as in diplomacy, gestures matter.  So when Russia's president Vladimir Putin personally saw off Narendra Modi in Sochi on Monday night, it conveyed much about the nature of their talks and the depth of the relationship.   

"We can proudly say that the partnership that we had begun has already grown into a large tree of privileged, strategic partnership," PM Modi in Sochi.

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But the fact also remains that the India-Russia relationship is struggling for relevance. Bilateral trade between both the countries is low at around $7 billion. India is diversifying its arms purchases away from Russia to ensure our strategic autonomy.  other hiccups in the relationship are Russia's proximity to China.

On the 4th anniversary of the Modi government, it's clear that managing relations with China will remain India's major challenge.  Modi's informal summit with China's president Xi Jinping in Wuhan last month may have helped clarify the doubts and the lack of trust.  But China's growing power and status imply there will be difficulties ahead no matter what the two leaders may believe. 

"The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border regions. They decided that they will strengthen communications between the two militaries in order to build trust and understanding," Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary, India. 

It doesn't help that Modi's reach out to Donald Trump last year has not given any political direction to the relationship. Trump has taken aim at India's small trade surplus with the US, he has cracked down on immigration and H-1b visas which has hit Indians, new sanctions on Iran will force up oil prices and complicate India's position.  

Trump has been harder on Pakistan for its support of terrorism but there is no sign that he's willing to hit them where it hurts the most. Pakistan continues to back terror groups in India and is seen to be working alongside China to undermine India in the region.  Debt-laden Sri Lanka is beholden to China, so is the Maldives, so could Nepal and Bangladesh in a few years from now.

How Delhi manages the contradictions of being the big guy in the region without being seen as big brother is a challenge.  Yet there's no doubt Modi has single-mindedly moved to heighten India's profile in the world.  India is seen and noticed but minus economic heft, will not get a seat at the high table.