India's Foreign Relations: An Overview as of October 2025

 

India's Foreign Relations: An Overview as of October 2025

India's foreign policy, often described as a blend of "multi-alignment" and "strategic autonomy," emphasizes economic diplomacy, regional stability, and global leadership while avoiding formal military alliances. Rooted in principles like non-alignment (from the Cold War era) and Panchsheel (peaceful coexistence), it has evolved to focus on national security, trade, technology, and initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). As of October 2025, India maintains over 200 diplomatic missions worldwide, with strategic partnerships with more than 40 countries. Key drivers include its $3.9 trillion economy, diaspora of 18 million, and role in forums like G20, BRICS, and Quad.

India's relations are broadly positive, with strong ties to the Global South and developing nations, but tensions persist in the neighborhood (e.g., China, Pakistan). Recent developments include a cautious thaw with China, diversification of oil imports amid U.S. sanctions on Russia, and renewed engagement with Afghanistan. Below is a categorized summary of key bilateral relations, drawing from diplomatic engagements, trade volumes, and geopolitical alignments.

Major Global Powers

India balances relations with superpowers, prioritizing economic gains and security without exclusive alignments.

Country/Region	Key Aspects	Trade Volume (2024-25 est.)	Recent Developments (2025)
United States	Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership; defense (e.g., iCET for tech transfer), trade, Quad member. Bipartisan support despite differences on Russia/Ukraine.	$190 billion	Potential Trump-Modi summit; focus on AI, semiconductors. U.S. views India as vital for Indo-Pacific stability.
China	Tense due to border disputes (Ladakh 2020); economic interdependence via BRICS/SCO. Cautious reset post-2024 patrolling agreement.	$135 billion (India deficit: $85B)	Foreign Secretary talks; resumed direct flights, eased rare earth exports. No summit yet; trust deficit lingers.
Russia	"Time-tested" partnership; 60% of India's defense imports; energy deals (e.g., oil at discounted rates).	$65 billion	Putin-Modi summit planned Q1 2025; shift to tech/manufacturing. India diversifies oil post-U.S. sanctions on Lukoil/Rosneft.
European Union	Trade/investment focus; FTA negotiations. Strategic ties with France (Rafale jets), Germany (tech).	$120 billion	New EU-India agenda; Wadephul's canceled China trip highlights EU pivot to India amid trade tensions.
Japan	Special Strategic Partnership; Quad, infrastructure (e.g., bullet train).	$22 billion	Clean energy pacts; joint exercises to counter China.

Neighborhood (South Asia & Indian Ocean)

"Neighborhood First" policy drives engagement, but challenges like terrorism and Chinese influence persist.

Country	Key Aspects	Trade Volume (2024-25 est.)	Recent Developments (2025)
Pakistan	Strained by Kashmir, cross-border terrorism; no formal talks since 2019 Pulwama attack.	$2.5 million (minimal)	No breakthrough; India demands end to terror support. Pahalgam attack (Oct 2025) escalates tensions.
Bangladesh	Strong economic/cultural ties; post-Hasina ouster (Aug 2024), interim govt. stabilizes relations.	$14 billion	Border management talks; India aids development projects.
Sri Lanka	Economic aid post-2022 crisis; debt restructuring via China.	$5 billion	Expanded ties; zigzag with Maldives/Nepal, but positive outlook.
Maldives	"Closest ally" post-Muizzu pivot; infrastructure aid.	$500 million	Muizzu visits India; financial support amid economic woes.
Bhutan	Strategic (hydropower, borders); informal "strategic partnership."	$2.5 billion	Deepened energy/security cooperation.
Nepal	Cultural/religious links; resolved 2024 border maps.	$8 billion	Zigzag course; focus on trade/connectivity.
Afghanistan	Humanitarian aid; no Taliban recognition but pragmatic engagement.	Minimal	Embassy reopened in Kabul (Oct 2025); talks with Taliban FM amid Pakistan-Taliban rift.

Middle East & Gulf

Energy security and diaspora (9 million Indians) anchor ties; shift from oil to investments

Country	Key Aspects	Trade Volume (2024-25 est.)	Recent Developments (2025)
UAE	Comprehensive Partnership; CEPA (2022); RuPay-JAYWAN linkage.	$85 billion	BAPS temple inauguration; LNG deals.
Saudi Arabia	Strategic Partnership; oil imports (18% of India's needs).	$52 billion	I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US) forum advances.
Qatar	Energy supplier; freed 8 Indian naval officers (2024).	$18 billion	LNG supply pacts; FDI inflows.
Iran	Chabahar Port for Central Asia access; INSTC corridor.	$2 billion	Renewed port ops despite U.S. sanctions.

Indo-Pacific & Beyond

Act East/Think West policies expand influence; focus on ASEAN, Africa, Latin America.

Country/Region	Key Aspects	Trade Volume (2024-25 est.)	Recent Developments (2025)
Australia	Quad; critical minerals, defense.	$26 billion	Clean energy partnership; power infrastructure for AI.
ASEAN	Trade bloc; Act East pillar.	$130 billion	Modi skips Oct summit (Trump factor?); focus on connectivity.
Africa	South-South cooperation; ISA/CDRI members.	$70 billion	President Murmu's visits to Algeria, Mauritania, Malawi (Oct).
Brazil	BRICS; G20 co-chair (2023 legacy).	$15 billion	Modi visit; commended India's G20 initiatives.
Canada	Strained by Khalistan row; steps toward strategic partnership.	$8 billion	Diplomatic thaw; low public approval in Canada.
Israel	Defense/tech; I2U2.	$10 billion	Innovation corridor; post-Gaza neutrality.

Multilateral Engagements

• Quad (US, Japan, Australia): Indo-Pacific security; 2025 summit in India.
• BRICS/SCO: Economic forum with Russia/China; expanded to include Egypt, UAE.
• G20/UN: Pushes Global South agenda; UNSC reform advocacy.
• Challenges: U.S.-China tensions test autonomy; Trump 2.0 may boost bilateral ties but strain Russia links. Climate/diplomacy (e.g., LiFE mission) enhances soft power.

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