Miles without milestones: A critical look at India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*  

Travel connects the traveler with the destination, giving meaning to both the journey and the path. When there is a disconnect between the traveler, the road, and the destination, the journey becomes directionless. In politics, the value of international travel lies in the tangible and intangible dividends it yields—economic partnerships, diplomatic alliances, cultural exchanges, and strategic cooperation. It is not the frequency of travel that matters, but the depth of engagement and the outcomes achieved. Meaningful travel contributes to national interests through collective memories, friendships, and shared values.

Between March 27, 2021, and September 1, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made thirty-five foreign trips, visiting nearly sixty countries. From June 16, 2014, to November 13, 2019, he undertook fifty-eight trips, covering almost 110 countries. In total, approximately ninety-three foreign visits were made between 2014 and 2021. These included ten visits to the United States; eight each to France and Japan; seven each to the UAE and Russia; six each to China and Germany; five each to Nepal and Singapore; and four each to the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. Other countries such as Bhutan, Indonesia, the Maldives, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and Uzbekistan were visited three times each, with many others visited once or twice. This extensive travel has led to the informal moniker of a “Non-Resident Indian Prime Minister.”

Despite these frequent visits, India’s bilateral relations with key partners have not significantly improved. Indo–U.S. relations, for instance, have faced challenges in trade, defense, and diplomacy. While ideological admiration for Western powers has been evident, it has not translated into stronger strategic ties. The United States continues to impose high tariffs and exert influence over India’s relationships with other nations, including Russia and Pakistan. Diplomatic gestures and public camaraderie have not yielded substantial policy outcomes.

Engagement with the European Union has similarly fallen short. Despite extensive travel across Europe, India’s trade, security, and scientific collaborations remain underdeveloped. Public praise from European leaders often contrasts with actions that undermine India’s interests. The recent free trade agreement with Britain has raised concerns over its fairness and long-term impact on India’s economy.

India’s neighborhood policy has weakened, even as traditional allies in Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet bloc maintain goodwill. This support persists despite India’s increasing alignment with Western powers that have historically opposed the interests of developing nations. These powers promote authoritarian regimes, exploit markets under the guise of free trade, and fuel instability for resource extraction. Yet, admiration for Western models remains strong within India’s current foreign policy framework.

The ideological orientation of India’s foreign policy has shifted away from its anti-colonial and non-aligned roots. The sidelining of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), once a cornerstone of India’s international strategy, marks a significant departure from principles of peaceful coexistence and solidarity with developing nations. This shift has affected India’s global standing and its ability to advocate for equitable international norms.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of foreign travel in diplomacy should be measured by its contribution to national interests. The outcomes of India’s current foreign policy suggest that international visits have prioritized image-building over substantive gains. Despite high-profile meetings and symbolic gestures, India has struggled to forge new alliances or deepen existing ones. The frequent travel has not translated into meaningful milestones.

Reviving India’s international image and protecting its interests requires more than a change in leadership—it demands a reorientation of foreign policy away from ideological rigidity and toward pragmatic engagement. Rebuilding relationships rooted in historic solidarities and shared struggles against colonialism, capitalism, and imperialism is essential for restoring India’s role as a leader among developing nations.

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*Academic based in UK