Is a ‘Modi doctrine’ emerging in Indian foreign policy?

Abstract

Narendra Modi's election as India's prime minister in May 2014 has generated speculation that a new ‘Modi doctrine’ is emerging in Indian foreign policy. This article assesses the evidence for that claim. It argues that a ‘doctrine’ should embody a set of clearly stated principles for foreign policy making. It analyses the main achievements of Modi's policy in the months after his election. It finds that while Modi has brought new energy to the conduct of foreign policy, his approach is essentially pragmatic, and his objectives are similar to those pursued by his two immediate predecessors—Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

Keywords:

• Bharatiya Janata Party
• Hindu nationalism
• Indian foreign policy
• Indian politics
• Modi doctrine
• Narendra Modi

Notes

1. In September 2014, India upgraded its relationship with Japan to a ‘special strategic global partnership’ and, in October, concluded a ‘new and enhanced strategic partnership’ with the USA. A month later, Modi agreed a new ‘Framework for Security Cooperation’ with Australia, building on the strategic partnership concluded in 2009.

2. There is little evidence that public diplomacy conducted by governments actually improves the image of states in the minds of foreign publics or boosts ‘soft power’ (see Hall and Smith 2013).