Top 7 Foreign Policy Achievements Of Swaraj-Jaishankar Years

Jun 09, 2024, 11:41 IST

Mukul Sharma

1. De-hyphenation from Pakistan 

Pakistan now features towards the end of India’s geopolitical calculus, almost edging towards irrelevance. With aggressive security postures in the form of surgical strikes and Balakot air raids, India has ensured an atmosphere of deterrence and reduced Pakistan to more as a nuisance than a threat. 

2. Exemplary West Asia outreach 

India is part of I2U2 (Israel, India, the UAE, and the US) for enhanced economic cooperation. Its comprehensive partnership with the UAE is flourishing with economic dividends reaching $45 billion in non-oil trade in April 2023. Delhi G20 summit saw the announcement of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a landmark connectivity project.

3. Striking an Arab-Israel balance

Israel was among top three arms suppliers to India in 2021. Modi-Bibi at helm create ‘certain magic’ in bilateral ties, WION has reported in past. Despite that, Delhi has been steadfast in support of the Palestinian cause. Its ties with Iran remain cooperative, and Saudi Arabia remains a close partner. 

4. Architecting a global anti-terror framework 

The outcomes of No Money For Terror meet in November 2022 now features in the United Nations’ documents. India’s assertion that proposals for the sanctions on terrorists should be ‘free from political considerations and duality of standards’ has emerged as a clarion call against terrorism. 

5. India-Bangladesh exchange of enclaves 

On the midnight of July 31, 2015, India added 15,000 new citizens while Bangladesh added 36,000 new nationals. A total of 162 pockets of land – 111 in Bangladesh and 51 in India – were officially handed over after India’s PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina signed a historic deal in June 2015. 

6. Established India as an independent force 

Despite being part of the Quad, I2U2, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and Nordic Forum, the sheer ability of Indian foreign policy apparatus to keep its new friends close and older friends closer has been remarkable. It could buy oil from Russia even after its offensive in Ukraine, build a port in Iran and still be a friend to the US and the collective West. 

Wiener Schnitzel

This typical dish from Austria consists of breaded and fried veal cutlet served with potato salad, lingonberry sauce, or lemon wedge.

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