Modi@8: Historic Israel visit to addressing British Parliament, how NaMo has aced foreign diplomacy

 When Prime Minister Narendra Modi first came to power in 2014, he paid special attention to foreign relations. He put India on the world map as few leaders have done before. Modi left a lasting impression wherever he went, be it with his powerful addresses or bear hugs. The prime minister’s mantra was clear: Get the world talking about a country filled with immense potential. The prime minister travelled to countries that his predecessors did not and renewed ties with nations, big and small, that India paid little attention to in the past. We take a look at the many firsts in his foreign diplomacy. SAARC leaders invited to 2014 swearing-in Modi started rewriting the rules even before he took oath on 26 May 2014. As prime minister-elect, he invited heads of the governments of all South Asian states. Foreign envoys working in New Delhi have attended swearings-in the past, but no world leader had been invited to the ceremony, which was until 2014 seen as a domestic event. [caption id=“attachment_10720451” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  In 2014, it was the first time that SAARC leaders were invited for an oath-taking ceremony. PTI[/caption] In a first, the heads of state of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were invited to the oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Despite speculation, then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif attended the event. Making a mark in Mongolia Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia is considered India’s spiritual neighbour. Yet, no PM has visited the country until 2015. Modi visited Mongolia in May that year. With China’s growing aggression, the leader realised that the East Asian nation is significant to India. [caption id=“attachment_10720461” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Dressed in traditional Mongol costume, Modi attended the Mini Naadam Festival in Mongolia’s Ulan Bator. PTI[/caption] “Ours is a relationship that is not measured on the scale of commerce or driven by competition against others. It is a relationship of immeasurable positive energy that comes from our spiritual links and shared ideals,” the PM said, strengthening ties with the nation. He addressed the Mongolian Parliament and launched a strategic partnership with the country. Click here to read more on Narendra Modi’s eight years as prime minister A significant visit to the UAE In August 2015, Modi visited the United Arab Emirates. The trip had major strategic and economic dimensions but what made it even more significant was the fact that it was the first visit to the Gulf Arab country by an Indian prime minister in over three decades and Modi’s maiden visit to an Islamic country. It was Indira Gandhi who last visited the country in 1981. The prime minister addressed thousands of Indian expats at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. He held talks with leaders on trade, investment, and security. New Delhi’s engagement with West Asia had taken a backseat, but Narendra Modi revived that. Addressing the British Parliament In 2015, Modi was the first-ever Indian leader to speak at the British Parliament. His speech, peppered with humour and historical references, received a standing ovation at the UK Parliament’s Royal Gallery, according to an Indian Express report. He also spoke on terrorism and radicalisation. In his address before the British lawmakers, Modi said, “There are many things on which it is hard to tell anymore if they are British or Indian: The Jaguar or the Scotland Yard, for example…. And, our strongest debates are whether the Lord’s pitch swings unfairly or the wicket at Eden Gardens cracks too early. And, we love the Bhangra rap from London just as you like the English novel from India.” The historic visit to Israel On 4 July 2017, Modi landed in Tel Aviv, becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel. The PM called the visit “ground-breaking”, as he was welcomed at the airport by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. [caption id=“attachment_10720471” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Narendra Modi became the first-ever India prime minister to visit Israel. Here he was interacting with his then Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the Olga Beach. PTI[/caption] The visit was seen as a turning point in the relationship between the two nations. For years, India and Israel worked together on counter-terrorism and New Delhi has regularly purchased arms from the Jewish state. Yet no Indian premier had visited the country before. This had a lot to do with Cold War politics, the fear of alienating India’s Muslim population and angering the Arab world. But Modi is a man who makes his own rules. A year later, he hosted Netanyahu in India. A quick stop at Ramallah In February 2018, Modi became the first prime minister to make an official visit to Palestine to boost long-standing political and economic ties. He landed at the Palestinian Authority’s presidential headquarters in Ramallah. India has historically supported the Palestinian cause, but no prime minister has ever visited it before. Palestinian leaders had termed the visit as “historic,” whereas India’s foreign ministry called it “truly memorable and history in making”.

History in the making. In a first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine, PM @narendramodi on the way to Ramallah in a chopper provided by Jordan government and escorted by choppers from Israel Air Force. pic.twitter.com/Nx7AtyLS8W

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 10, 2018

During a three-hour stopover, the PM delivered a speech in the presence of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. He endorsed a “sovereign, independent” Palestine. Rwanda, yet another first During a three-nation tour to Africa in July 2018, Modi picked a country that no other Indian premier had set their foot in before. He made a two-day visit to Rwanda, one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Bilateral meetings with President Paul Kagame, delegation-level talks and meetings with business leaders and Indian communities were held. A defence cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries and India also announced that it would open a mission in Rwanda. Presiding over UNSC meet In a first for India after independence, Modi presided over a meeting during New Delhi’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 9 August 2021.

A first in the making…

With India as President of @UN Security Council in August, an Indian Prime Minister may perhaps preside, albeit virtually, a Council meeting for 1st time on 9 August 2021.

Pic: From last visit of PM Shri @narendramodi to UN in 2019. pic.twitter.com/OxaZbKZsNq

— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) August 1, 2021

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He chaired a debate, titled, “Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation”. The PM outlined a five-principle framework for the debate. The first was removing barriers to maritime trade. In this context, Modi highlighted SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region), a 2015 Indian framework for regional maritime security. “For free, maritime trade, it is also necessary that we fully respect the rights of the seafarers of other countries,” he said. Thawing ties with Denmark Amid the Ukraine crisis, PM Modi embarked on a key Europe trip. His visit to Denmark – the first by an Indian PM – in two decades was even more significant. Relations between India and Denmark had turned hostile after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 2002 Copenhagen trip when then-premier Anders Fogh Rasmussen gave India advice on how to deal with Pakistan and Kashmir. [caption id=“attachment_10720491” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  PM Modi is welcomed by his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen. PTI[/caption] Since then no prime minister had visited the country, and in 2009 when Manmohan Singh went to Copenhagen for a United Nations meeting he did not hold any bilateral talks with the Danes. Then the Purulia “arms drops” case became a bone of contention between the two nations, reports moneycontrol.com. But with Modi’s visit, there has been a thaw in the ties. Modi has strengthened ties with nations the world over. And while doing so, he has always followed one mantra: Putting India first. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.