Narendra Modi has gone on 16 foreign visits
to 15 countries (visiting Nepal twice) since he took office in 2014. Out of
these, five have been to summits which include BRICS, UNGA, ASEAN, G20 and
SAARC, while the others have been state visits.
There has been criticism as well as praise
for the Prime Minister’s travels abroad for bilateral, multilateral and summit
meetings with heads of state and fellow heads of governments. Mr Modi has been
on a whirlwind tour of friendly nations and his government has played an
important part in helping other nations with their problems.
Helping Maldives with its water crises,
Nepal with earthquake relief and a half-dozen more nations with evacuation of their citizens from war-torn Yemen has been a show of solidarity, strength and
a sign of deepening ties with India’s neighbours by a PM whose symbolism is not
only hard, but impossible to miss.
In a series of brilliantly executed foreign
policy measures that has seen even the Union Minister for External Affairs
noticeably sidelined, the PM has created such immense opportunities for India
that even the most ardent of his critics must admit that Indian leadership of
this kind on the international stage hasn’t been seen perhaps since the time of
Jawaharlal Nehru, and that’s saying something.
Here are the FIVE reasons why a PM on the
go has helped India stabilize and improve its image abroad:
1.
Marching Westwards
Mr Modi’s visits to the ‘Western’ nations,
including the United States, Germany, France and Canada has emphasised on a
possible break from Russia’s influence and a march towards the West, an
improvement on many levels since India would certainly not want to be seen
snuggling with an international aggressor. However, although India did support
Russia’s anti-gay legislation at the UN, the trend of this government’s foreign
policy is definitely looking towards the west.
2.
Looking back East
The PM hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping
and is slated to return the visit later this month. But this visit has been
strategically placed after his visits to the rest of South Asia. This can only
be seen as a sign of solidarity with smaller neighbours in the vicinity who
view India as the only friendly nation powerful enough to counter the Chinese
threat in the Asia-Pacific. Visits to Bhutan, Nepal, Japan, Myanmar, Australia,
Fiji, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Singapore coupled with the
invitation for them to attend his swearing-in ceremony sealed his commitment to
India again being forthcoming to address issues of regional significance after
years of a dormant and laid-back attitude under successive governments.
3.
Securing India’s
Backyard
‘An iron hand in a velvet glove’ is what Mr
Modi truly is. He has made sure that his voice of co-operation and failing
that, the sound of his cannons, is heard from Kabul in the west to Dhaka in the
east and from Beijing in the north to Colombo in the south. The first concentric circle of foreign nations surrounding India have been made to realize
that she will not tolerate indiscipline at her borders and will act swiftly and
decisively against those who try to violate her sovereignty as Pakistan has
found in recent times.
4.
Bringing in Trade
Industrialists have always had better deals
and working conditions under Mr Modi’s government since the time he was Chief
Minister. He merely took his idea of local manufacture of products to the next
level when he was called upon to lead the nation. The ‘Make in India’ campaign
has attracted not only the attention of corporate giants and MNC’s, but also
various governments who seem to think it is lucrative to enter into an emerging
market as vast and diverse as India. There is something for everyone and
ultimately the country has a lot to gain if investment keeps pouring in. Sectors
previously under government control will gain momentum under privatization and
decrease reliability on imports to sustain demand. The value of the rupee will
rise and with it, prosperity. The defence sector has been given utmost priority
in this drive which is a step in the right direction.
5.
Connecting with the
Global Indian community
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