Foreign Policy

From Gaza to Canada, Trump’s unpredictable mix of ego, instinct, and impulse is reshaping America’s role abroad — sometimes with real results, often with new risks.

Can strategic realism in Asia drive India, China closer?

Jaishankar’s recent Beijing visit underscores the high-stakes, high-wire act India must perform to balance economic realism with geopolitical rivalry in a shifting Asian order

'Sad story of India's foreign policy collapse': Congress slams govt over IMF, ADB loans to Pakistan

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera raised questions about the global community's continued support for Pakistan

Trump leaves Europe’s future considerably weakened -- and uncertain

America’s warming up to Russia is putting Europe in disarray

Trump’s policies could make the EU a contested geopolitical space

The EU’s disarray comes at a time when US-Russia-China relations are changing fast

US-Europe alliance comes under pressure after Munich conference

US President Donald Trump’s representatives have shaken up European countries by their statements and political moves over the Ukraine issue. The question is whether European countries are capable of joining hands to face up to the new challenge from Washington politics

Modi’s US visit can help India secure its long-term strategic goals

The outcome of the visit will have a significant impact on India’s economy, manufacturing sector, defence capabilities and its projection as a global superpower 

The Eastern Window: Could Trump swing a US-China deal?

Donald Trump is showing eagerness to strike a deal with China. The US and China have as many reasons to come closer as they had to oppose each other. Does a US-China deal serve India’s interest?

The Eastern Window: Nepal-China deal poses strategic challenge to India

Nepal’s PM Oli has signed an agreement allowing China to build connectivity infrastructure under the BRI scheme. This could pose a strategic challenge for India while Nepal risks getting into a debt trap 

The Eastern Window: India needs to reconsider its policy towards the new Bangladesh leadership

Bangladesh is frantically trying to improve its relations with China and Pakistan. There may be bigger risks along the Bangladesh border which has been a source of smuggled arms for a long time. India may need to reconsider its Bangladesh policy 

Most voters think economy poor, but split on whether Trump or Harris can fix it: Poll

) Voters remain largely divided over whether they prefer Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris to handle key economic issue.

Responsibility for damage caused to India-Canada ties lies with PM Trudeau alone: MEA

India-Canada diplomatic row escalates as Trudeau testifies on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. MEA responds, citing lack of evidence.

Political Rhetoric vs Strategic Realities: India-Bangladesh relationship is in a state of churn

The rise of anti-India rhetoric in Bangladesh risks the deep economic and geographical ties between the two

It's time to assess India’s gains from Quad membership

PM Modi’s coming visit to the U.S. to attend the meeting of the Quad is important because it involves some serious plans to counter China. But India also needs to reassess its role in the Quad which has limited utility for India’s objective of strengthening its land-based border security 

Will the Russia factor mar India’s acquisition of key US military technologies?

India has a delicate balancing act to play, in maintaining good relations with Russia even as it needs access to key US military technology and equipment to strengthen its defence capabilities

Trump's foreign policy: Rethink NATO, troops to Mexico, boost tariffs

On the campaign trail, he has also floated sending armed forces into Mexico to battle drug cartels and slapping expansive tariffs on friends and foes alike

India’s enhanced democratic credentials could pay it rich dividends in foreign policy

India’s democratic credentials have been greatly enhanced since the recent election. This is evident in the enthusiasm of 14 world leaders who met PM Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit recently. India’s world image would be greatly enhanced if the government appeared more accommodating to all sections of society

The new government must try to better ties with our neighbours

The election results leading to a coalition government have raised questions about whether India would tweak its foreign policy. Though major policy shifts are not expected, the new government may consider improving relations with immediate neighbours 

The Eastern Window: Xi Jinping tries to charm US CEOs as foreign investment slides

The Chinese President is directly lobbying American business as foreign investments have slipped drastically. China is also worried about the potential of Donald Trump getting re-elected. Trump has already threatened to impose harsh tariffs on Chinese cars and other goods

Does India have any real economic leverage over Russia?

India’s purchase of Russian oil was opportunistic and largely based on the ability to negotiate strong discounts. Sans this context, normal trade relations and equations will dominate and India’s current trade leverage over Russia will diminish

The Eastern Window: India set to counter China’s drive towards Indian Ocean

The government’s decision to establish a second naval base in Lakshadweep is part of a larger objective of countering China’s influence building in the Indian Ocean region. The issue has become complex as the Maldives has responded by announcing plans to build a base for surveillance drones 750 km away 

China badly needs a foreign policy reset. But Xi Jinping has got bigger problems

China is increasingly losing friends and influence and needs a new foreign minister to reset the tone and work to create some goodwill. For now, it is clear that domestic stability is President Xi Jinping’s priority, even as tensions escalate across the region. Talking tough on Taiwan is Xi's way of building up his nationalist credentials, and a way to show strength while the economy around him flounders. But the optics are not good for China in other national capitals, especially in its neighbourhood

Xi urges Chinese envoys to create 'diplomatic iron army'

Ties with the United States thawed briefly after Xi met U.S. President Joe Biden in November, but China is also currently engaged in diplomatic disputes with the Philippines over a contested reef in the South China Sea, as well as Japan over its discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from its wrecked Fukushima reactor.

Why India can and should play honest broker in Bangladesh 

India must mediate before the situation goes out of hand and radical elements like jihadi outfits start filling the vacuum left by a failing state. An understanding between the ruling and opposition parties to allow smooth conduct of election is key to putting Bangladesh back on the rails

Blinken, Austin to discuss Indo-Pacific with Indian counterparts in November

The meeting comes amid tensions between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific region