Archive · 31 Dec 2025
India's 2025: Shifting Foreign Policy and Security
In 2025, India worked on improving relations with China after years of tension due to border disputes.
Leaders from both countries met to discuss how to make things better and cooperate more.
Meanwhile, India's relationship with the US was a bit rocky.
The US put high taxes on Indian goods and made it harder for Indian professionals to get work visas.
Despite these issues, India and the US signed a big defense agreement to work together more.
India also took strong action against terrorism by launching Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan.
This operation showed India's new approach to dealing with security threats.
Overall, 2025 was a year of big changes in how India handles its relationships with other countries and deals with security issues.
India and China took steps to restore relations in 2025 after years of strain, with diplomatic engagement intensifying and leaders meeting to discuss border concerns and cooperation.
India-US relations were strained due to tariffs, immigration policies, and disagreements over trade and security issues, despite efforts to strengthen strategic ties.
The US imposed high tariffs on Indian goods and increased fees for H-1B visas, leading to tensions and discussions on a trade deal.
India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and demonstrating a new approach to dealing with security threats.
India and the US signed a 10-year defense framework agreement in October 2025, highlighting their strategic partnership.
- Who
- India, China, United States
- What
- Shifting foreign policy and security dynamics
- When
- 2025
- Where
- India, China, United States
- Why
- To address border concerns, trade issues, and security challenges
India-China Relations
India-US Relations
Diplomatic Engagement
India-China Relations
India and China have taken steps to restore relations after years of strain, with diplomatic engagement intensifying and leaders meeting to discuss border concerns and cooperation.
India-US Relations
India-US relations have been strained due to tariffs, immigration policies, and disagreements over trade and security issues, despite efforts to strengthen strategic ties.
Economic Ties
India-China Relations
Bilateral trade between India and China has shown signs of marginal improvement, with India's exports to China increasing, but China's exports to India remain significantly higher.
India-US Relations
The US has imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, leading to tensions and discussions on a trade deal, with the US criticizing India's trade levies.
Security and Defense
India-China Relations
China's military backing of Pakistan and restrictions on rare-earth metal exports have posed challenges to India-China relations.
India-US Relations
The US and India have signed a 10-year defense framework agreement, highlighting their strategic partnership, but tensions remain over issues like India's purchase of Russian oil.
- India-China Border Disengagement
- October 2024
- Modi-Xi Meeting
- August 2025, Tianjin
- US Tariffs on India
- 50%
- H-1B Visa Fee Increase
- $100,000
- Operation Sindoor
- May 2025
- US-India Defense Framework Agreement
- October 2025
- India's Rare Earth Imports from China
- Partially lifted curbs
- India's Exports to China
- 22% increase in first half of FY 2025-26
Sources
Aircraft acquisition, funding delays stall Alhind Air launch
H1-B visa crackdown, tariffs—India’s foreign policy towards US and China in 2025
Indian Aviation in 2025: A fatal crash, operational nightmare, and fault lines laid bare
Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025
Air India to bring back first 2 Boeing 787-8, IndiGo to induct Airbus A321XLR
