India and China’s agreement on joint patrolling of the Ladakh border marks a significant thaw in their tense relationship, coming after several skirmishes, notably in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley and Arunachal Pradesh. The timing of this breakthrough, just before the BRICS summit, sends a clear message that the two Asian giants are leaning towards negotiation and diplomacy to resolve their long-standing disputes. This shift in dynamics, however, goes beyond mere border agreements—it signals a recalibration of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its strategic position between global powers. India and China’s border tensions have long been a flashpoint, with both nations maintaining large military presences in disputed areas. The agreement for joint border patrolling is a rare instance of cooperation in an otherwise fraught relationship. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, the accord reflects both nations’ desire to de-escalate tensions. This development precedes the BRICS summit, where it is widely anticipated that Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold bilateral talks on the sidelines, potentially deepening their diplomatic engagement. The joint patrolling agreement may not sit comfortably with the United States, which has courted India as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in Asia. Washington has sought to pull India into its orbit, especially as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy, which hinges on India as a key partner. However, Modi’s foreign policy reflects a departure from the past, aiming for strategic autonomy rather than aligning strictly with one global power bloc.
Modi’s foreign policy marks a sharp contrast with the Nehruvian doctrine that guided India’s diplomacy for much of its post-independence history. Jawaharlal Nehru’s approach, rooted in socialist ideals and non-alignment, often led India to distance itself from the West, notably the United States. Nehru, heavily influenced by leftist factions in India, famously declined the U.S. offer of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, suggesting that China should take the position instead. This decision, many argue, has cost India dearly in terms of global influence. Under Nehru, India remained economically and militarily weak, more aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to power in 2014 under Modi, has pursued a pragmatic, interest-driven foreign policy. India’s strategy is now more transparent and assertive, focusing on its economic and military development while maintaining relations with both the West and the East. Modi’s government has successfully positioned India as the world’s fifth-largest economy, up from twelfth place, a dramatic shift that has brought the nation to the forefront of global affairs. One of the key pillars of Modi’s foreign policy is the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India. This initiative aims to bolster domestic industries, including defense manufacturing, which has traditionally been heavily dependent on foreign imports. Under Modi, India has negotiated defense deals with conditions of technology transfer, ensuring that India not only purchases advanced weaponry but also gains the capability to produce it domestically. The deal for Rafale fighter jets from France and Predator drones from the U.S. is a testament to this approach. This new doctrine places India in a position where it can negotiate with major powers on its own terms, a far cry from the days when it was treated as a secondary player in global diplomacy.
India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic further cemented its standing on the global stage. Its swift development of vaccines, followed by the “Vaccine Maitri” initiative, through which India supplied millions of doses to countries around the world, including the U.S. and China, showcased India’s growing capability as a global leader. This success in the health sector has been mirrored by strides in other areas, particularly defense and economy, making India an emerging power that cannot be ignored. India’s success in negotiating disengagement with China along its borders is a direct result of Modi’s proactive diplomacy. While it remains to be seen whether President Xi Jinping will embrace a comprehensive dialogue to resolve all border disputes, the BRICS summit provides an opportune moment for both leaders to make further progress. China, with its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, faces its own challenges, particularly if India reclaims Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, through which key routes of the initiative pass. It is in both countries’ interests to stabilize their relationship and focus on co-existing peacefully as neighbors. Modi’s diplomacy, marked by balancing India’s interests with both global and regional powers, has redefined India’s foreign policy. The joint patrolling agreement with China may well be a turning point, and how India navigates its relationships with the U.S., China, and other global powers will continue to shape its trajectory as a global leader in the 21st century.
