How, under PM Modi, India is wowing the world

India reiterated its “clear and consistent” position: “We desire normal neighbourly relations with all.including Pakistan. For this, an environment free of terror and hostility is imperative.”The respondents of the India Today CVoter Mood of the Nation share similar sentiments, with more than 55 per cent against talks with Pakistan, more than the 52 per cent in January 2023, while 27 per cent believe in talks. Even though Pakistan has been going through political and economic turmoil, Islamabad continues its proxy war by supporting terror attacks on Indian soil.

In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States on a state visit. From transfer of technology in the manufacture of the GE414 fighter jet engine to theMQ-9B drone deal, from the Master Ship Repair Agreement between the US Navy and the L&T Shipyard in Chennai to a NASAISRO tie-up, and from collaborations in Quantum and AI technologies and semi-conductors to agreements in duty exemption for Indian steel and aluminium exports, the visit saw a slew of announcements. Clearly, the US is keen on beefing up ties with India. India-US military trade has grown from barely $1billion (Rs 8,300 crore) in 2008 to over $20billion (Rs 1.66 lakh crore) now. However, with over 70 per cent of Indian military arsenal being of Russian origin, it will be sometime before India stops being dependent on Moscow. Moreover, old ally Russia enjoys considerable goodwill. While 31 per cent of MOTN respondents claim that Russia is India’s best friend, 26 per cent feel the US is better for India. Almost 25 per cent support good ties with both the US and Russia.

On the Ukraine conflict, India continues to balance its “principles” and its “interests”. Without taking sides, India has reiterated that both countries should resolve matters through dialogue, thus cleaving to its age-old non-aligned stand. Indeed, India’s strategic interests have not allowed it to directly condemn Russia. Over 51 per cent of the MOTN respondents feel that India adopted the right approach to the conflict, while 25.3 per cent accept it ‘to some extent’.

Despite differences over the war in Ukraine, European nations continue to maintain good relations with India-it surely is an acceptance of the Modi government’s independent stand. Soon after his US visit, PM Modi made his maiden visit to Egypt, where he concluded multiple strategic agreements. On a visit to France in July, a roadmap was outlined for the next 25 years of India-France ties. While48 per cent of the respondents say the Centre’s foreign policy is ‘excellent’ and22 per cent say it is ‘good’, nine per cent also term it ‘poor’, compared to 14 percent six months back. Has PM Modi’s stature risen the world? ‘Yes’, say 61 percent of the MOTN respondents.

The military standoff between India and China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh has entered its fourth year; military and diplomatic negotiations has failed to achieve complete disengagement of troops. The recent 19th round of military talks, too, ended without a positive outcome, with the intransigent Chinese refusing to move from Demchok and the Depsang plains. Over 52 per cent of the respondents say India handled the Chinese intrusion’ very well’, while26 per cent say it’s ‘satisfactory’. In all, 79 per cent of the respondents-compared to 77 per cent in January-are satisfied with the Centre’s handling of the border standoff.

During the year of its G20 presidency, India has been organising multiple events across the nation. One of India’s goals is to voice the aspirations of the Global South. Almost 47per cent of the MOTN respondents say India’s G20 presidency will enhance its global stature and allow the BJP to use it as a plank for the 2024Lok Sabha election. However, 26 percent feel it will make no difference to India’s standing, only be a tool for propaganda next year.