Page 44 - NIS English May16-31

7 YEARS FOREIGN POLICY:

Building a New India 'NEIGHBOUR FIRST'

INDIA SHINES ON THE WORLD STAGE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the baton of the World's largest democracy
in 2014 after registering a landslide victory in the general elections in 2014. He
reinvigorated India's foreign policy by making new friends while at the same time
strengthened its bilateral relations with old friends. Understanding the need for a
pragmatic approach to secure the country's interest in the 21st century he adopted
the policy of 'India First'. The two cardinal principles of his foreign policy- 'Acting East'
and 'Looking West' have infused new life into India's global ambitions.

he cornerstone of the Modi Government's stewardship to the world community by starting
foreign policy has been to reach out to virtual meetings to discuss global problems.
Tthe nations in its backyard for which he He strengthened India's ties with the USA, the
has rolled out the 'Neighbour first' policy since UK, France, Germany, the Gulf and West Asian
2014. Moving ahead the policy in the same vein nations. He also participated in the G-20 and
envisages pulling out all the stops to strengthen NAM summits.
its relations with off-shore neighbours' through n During the Corona pandemic, he embarked on
the 'extended neighbourhood' approach.The a visit to Bangladesh to strengthen the friendly
astute thinking of the Modi regime is paying ties where he also addressed on its national
rich dividends as the bilateral relations with day
various countries have improved exponentially. n With an aim to boost the cross-border
India has positioned itself as a global leader cooperation with Bangladesh and Nepal lot
by reinventing the age-old concept of ‘वसुधैव many efforts have been taken
ं
कुटुबकम’ (Entire World is One Family) during the n During his visit to the Maldives, he was
time of the raging Corona pandemic. bestowed with its highest civilian award “Rule
RE-INFUSING LIFE INTO BILATERAL RELATIONS of Nishan Izzuddeen”, while during his tour to
When everything has come to a standstill during UAE he was conferred with its highest civilian
the pandemic, Prime Minister Modi provided award 'Order of Zayed'
42 New India Samachar