Modi or Rahul | Congress of BJP | The task is cut out for whoever forms the government in 2019
As per US experts, the new government that will come to power in 2019 will have an instant challenge of structuring crucial economic foreign policies.
“I would also expect to see increased attention in the United States (particularly among members of Congress) to issues of religious freedom in India, especially given the tenor of the elections these past few weeks,” said Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Although US-India relationship is seeing improved ties in defence and security, ironically tensions concerning trade and economic activities has increased.
India needs to move forward from ‘election-induced foreign policy lethargy’ in motion from last year and come out with vital reforms.
New government will need to devise a strategy that puts India in a better position to benefit from the trade focus of President Trump.
India will need to balance out the relationship in a way that does not hinder its relations with countries like Russia and Iran.
Policy experts in the US assume that PM Modi’s cautious approach to India’s foreign policy in the last year is influenced by his election aspirations.
India will need to balance out its foreign policy to solidify its newfound amicable relations with the US.
Balance in diplomacy
India has long-term relations with both Iran and Russia. Both nations are perceived as strategic threats to the US’ cause.
India needs to align relations with oil-importer Iran and defence partner Russia in a way that it doesn’t hamper the new found amicability with the US.
Rethinking Indo-China relations
Neighbours India and China have unresolved issues that keep both the superpowers at odds with each other. China’s fearsome progress and proliferation of soft power through its development-based agenda for poorer countries is indirectly diminishing India’s presence in the subcontinent.
India needs to come out with its own policies to counter China’s new approach to foreign diplomacy.
