Published Paper Details:

The special issue on Narendra Modi and India's foreign policy is introduced in this article. It draws attention to the fact that opinions on how well the Modi administration has managed foreign affairs vary. Some claim that since taking office in May 2014, it has changed India's foreign policy and outperformed its predecessors in managing the nation's most important partnerships and issues. Others argue that New Delhi's stance is weaker now than it was under previous administrations, particularly with regard to China and Pakistan, and that India's fundamental strategy remains unchanged. The importance of ideas and ideology, the degree of the prime minister's autonomy in formulating foreign policy, and the degree to which institutional barriers both domestically and internationally limit India's agency are all covered in this article. In addition, his government launched new initiatives including "Neighbourhood First," a new effort to improve relations with India's neighbors, and revamped key initiatives like "Look East," which was renamed "Act East." It promised to play a major role in maintaining security and improving infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region, in addition to fortifying its defense and diplomatic ties with countries from the Middle East through Central and South Asia to Southeast Asia.