India Foreign Policy

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri gets one-year extension till July 2027

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was given a one-year extension on Wednesday, till July 14 next year. Widely regarded as an expert on China, Misri was appointed to the post in June 2024. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension for a period of one year beyond July 14, 2026, that is, up to July 14, 2027, under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d). The rule has a provision for extension in service for the defence secretary, foreign secretary, home secretary, director of the Intelligence Bureau, secretary of Research and Analysis Wing, and a few others beyond the age of retirement of 60 years. Career diplomat Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was working as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) before his appointment as the foreign secretary. He has the rare distinction of serving as private secretary to three prime ministers -- Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. Before he was appointed as the deputy NSA, Mis

Neighbourhood-first policy boosts India's regional outreach efforts

From energy assistance and economic packages to sustained diplomatic engagement, India has stepped up efforts to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries amid evolving regional challenges

The rise of transactionalism and how middle powers might reverse it

A coalition of middle powers, similar to the NAM, may be the only viable path to reviving collective action on global challenges

Navel-gazing, in national interest: India balances both sides in war

It's easy to understand why the government can't speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India's interests will lie with both the winner and the loser

Dear Narendrabhai, can you again restore strategic stability to our east?

By next weekend, Bangladesh will have an elected government. This is India's moment to reboot broken ties by moderating the 'ghuspethiya' rhetoric in poll-bound West Bengal and Assam

New tariff threat: Additional duties on exports will raise risks for India

Rising US tariff threats over Russia ties are straining India's trade outlook, putting exports, investment flows and economic stability at fresh risk

Elections and diplomacy set to shape New Delhi's packed 2026 calendar

As India enters a busy election year in 2026, Archis Mohan explains how domestic politics and foreign engagement will intersect

Politics@2025: Fault lines & turning points, the moments that shaped India

From terror and unrest to diplomacy, power shifts and ideological milestones, the moments that shaped India this year

Foreign policy needs clarity, choices and a game plan: EAM Jaishankar

Jaishankar said that foreign policy cannot be driven by ambiguity or hesitation, underlining the importance of aligning India's interests with long-term strategic thinking

Rahul alleges govt blocks his foreign meetings; BJP calls claim 'lie'

Ahead of Putin's arrival, Rahul Gandhi claimed the government discourages foreign leaders from meeting him - a charge the BJP rejected as false and politically motivated

India sees Pak-Saudi defence pact as response to Israel's Doha strike

India reacted to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact saying Riyadh should respect mutual interests and sensitivities, while officials view the deal as accelerated by Israel's Doha strike

The false promise of SCO: No panacea for India's geopolitical challenges

India's enthusiastic participation in the SCO summit hosted by China was meant to signal to Washington that New Delhi has other options

PM Modi meets 16 Japanese governors; India, Japan sign multiple MoUs

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged stronger India-Japan sub-national ties; both sides signed multiple agreements spanning trade, tech, security, and clean energy

Indira's India & Modi's Bharat: A comparative look at two political eras

As Narendra Modi becomes India's second-longest consecutively serving Prime Minister, we look at how he compares with Indira Gandhi across four key dimensions

Aug 1 is hard tariff deadline, but US open to talks: Commerce Secy Lutnick

India-US trade talks continue with agriculture remaining a major sticking point for both nations as they try to reach an interim deal before the August 1 deadline

Indian youth 'concerned' about China's rise, think-tank survey shows

A new foreign policy survey by the Observer Research Foundation finds most young respondents also wary of Chinese 'military coercion'

Diminish, deter, de-hyphenate: The 3D solution for India's Pakistan problem

China and Pakistan are in a tight strategic alliance. India must deal with them one at a time, but be prepared in case they decide to collude

India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally: EAM Jaishankar in Germany

EAM S Jaishankar confirms India's bilateral stance on Pakistan, highlights zero tolerance for terrorism, and deepens strategic cooperation with Germany during his Europe visit