‘India’s national interest guiding principle of successful mix and match foreign policy’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday outlined India’s “mix and match foreign policy” and said the foremost guiding principle of the country in foreign affairs was its national interest. He emphasised that this approach also helped India negotiate the modern complexities of contemporary geo-politics.

“The world is inter-connected and interdependent. Our foremost guiding principle in foreign affairs is our country’s national interest. This stance allows us to engage with various nations in a manner that respects mutual interests and acknowledges the complexities of contemporary geo-politics,” PM Modi said in an interview to The Financial Times at his New Delhi residence.

Asked on India’s closer bilateral relationship with the United States and whether it can be described as an alliance, PM Modi said the relations were on an “upward trajectory” and would continue to be more than cordial despite US federal prosecutors making allegations last mon that an Indian government employee had been involved in a plot to assassinate a prominent American Sikh separatist leader on US soil.

“Today the India-US relationship is broader in engagement and deeper in understanding and warmer in friendship than it has ever been before,” the Prime Minister said brushing aside doubts that the recent allegations dented India-US ties.

On US-China tensions prevalent in the Indo-Pacific and global politics at large, PM Modi said, “those were best addressed by the people and governments of America and China.”

In September 2023, India hosted the G20 Summit in national capital Delhi, which was attended by world leaders of 29 odd countries along with financial leaders. The Summit proved to be a grand success elevating the country’s status on the global stage. A lot of the credit for the success of India’s G20 Presidency went to Prime Minister Modi.

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The country also hosted a “Voice of the Global South” Summit and successfully led efforts to include the African Union into the ambit of the influential grouping. Not only did PM Modi maintain close ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in keeping with India’s old non-alignment policy, he also built a closer than ever before relationship with the President of the United States—Joe Biden, during a state visit to the US in June. During PM Modi’s visit, the United States and India signed a slew of deals ranging from quantum computing to jet engines.

Describing his success as a global leader, the Prime Minister emphasised, “I remain in touch with leaders in the region. If there is anything India can do to take forward efforts towards peace and tranquillity, we certainly do so and that contributes to healthier bilateral ties.”