Why Modi is Good News For India's Foreign Policy?

Ever since he won a historic mandate from the people of India, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi has had to respond to critics who have been shouting from the roof about his rather inconsistent foreign policy. 

Before we go any further, one needs to take into perspective that there has been a dramatic change in the leadership style in the country-from having a docile and soft spoken Prime Minsiter to one who is seen as a welcome change and a polar opposite in nature. Therefore, there was bound to be a dramatic difference while dealing with foreign policy.

Mr.Modi, has had a rather sombre first two years when compared to Mr.Manmohan Singh. It is because he enjoys the goodwill of the people having being elected through popular votes to the Lok Sabha and is seen as a Messiah of hope.

After the initial uproar over his repeated foreign sojourns, in the media, there has been a sea change in his approach to foreign policy. He probably felt that his image and stature in India can also be used to the country's advantage in the form of better trade and commerce, which explains his frequent travel abroad. There has been an increase in trade and commerce, especially with USA, whose President is an ardent admirer of PM Modi. The PM's address to the US Congress, comes at a time when the US is fighting for prominence in the Indian Ocean region, most notably in the South China Sea dispute. Taken singularly from this perspective, the invitation to the PM can be seen as historic and unprecedented. China's boundary transgressions especially while their Premier was visiting India, can be seen as nothing but posturing. It understands the popularity of PM Modi and that it is only trying to stoke the fires in a region which it calls as its own out of sheer frustration. 

The Prime Minister's deft handling of the two superpowers is visible through increase in trade and a larger voice for the country at International groupings especially with India's push to join the elite NSG.

There is nothing but good news for the people of India, in its zeal to establish itself as a major superpower in the world today. Mr.Modi has definitely bought in good tidings. However, we will have to wait until his term finishes, to compare and congratulate.