India’s Foreign Policy in 2025: From Strategic Confidence to Strategic Caution

also emerged with countries such as Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Malaysia, perceived as tilting toward Pakistan during periods of crisis. Collectively, these episodes forced India to confront the limits of its diplomatic leverage.

Bright Spots Amid Uncertainty

Yet 2025 was not without diplomatic successes. Relations with Canada stabilised after two years of tension, with a leadership change enabling pragmatic engagement. India also took a calculated gamble in Afghanistan, engaging the Taliban government to retain strategic presence despite international unease.

With China, New Delhi continued cautious engagement—restoring travel, visas and data-sharing—even as mistrust persisted over the border and Beijing’s backing of Pakistan. This reflected India’s preference for managed competition over outright confrontation.

India also reinforced ties with Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Its swift humanitarian response to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah strengthened goodwill and reaffirmed India’s role as a regional first responder.

Looking Ahead to 2026: From Ambition to Resilience

As 2026 begins, India’s focus will increasingly turn to trade diplomacy, with major agreements with the EU, US and regional blocs still pending. Elections in neighbouring countries, major technology summits, and high-profile multilateral meetings will test India’s convening power.

The larger lesson of 2025, however, is clear. Indian foreign policy must now operate with fewer illusions and sharper priorities. Strategic autonomy must be backed by economic resilience, diversified partnerships and realistic expectations of even long-standing friends.

Conclusion

2025 marked a transition in India’s external outlook—from confidence shaped by momentum to caution shaped by experience. The shocks of the year revealed that power today lies not just in ambition, but in adaptability. As India moves into 2026, the challenge for South Block is not to reclaim an imagined stability, but to build resilience in a world where unpredictability has become the norm.