2 days ago
Modi Expands Global Partnerships as India Hedges Against Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been visiting many countries to build stronger relationships for India.
India wants more friends and business partners around the world.
This is partly because new United States tariffs could make trade with America harder.
India is also worried about wars and problems affecting energy supplies.
The country has made agreements involving technology, defense, jobs, trade and shipbuilding.
Examples include cooperation with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea and European countries.
Supporters say these focused deals can help India grow and create jobs.
Critics and analysts say India must show that the agreements produce real results and that its relationship with the United States lacks a clear strategy.
The Indian government says the visits have produced many agreements and attracted substantial foreign investment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified diplomatic outreach, visiting at least 20 countries since August 2025.
India is pursuing targeted partnerships in defense technology, energy, security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and manufacturing.
Reported gains include submarine cooperation with Germany, easier French student visas and lower Scotch whisky duties under an India-UK agreement.
India’s relationship with the United States is described as being in flux after tariffs and disagreements over Trump’s claims about the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
The Indian government reported nearly ₹550 crore in overseas-visit spending since 2021, 316 memorandums of understanding and $381.8 billion in FDI from April 2021 to December 2025.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India and partner countries including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea and others.
- What
- India is expanding targeted economic, diplomatic and strategic partnerships while managing uncertainty in its relationship with the United States.
- Where
- The partnerships involve India and countries across Europe, Asia, North America and other regions; Modi was visiting Kyrgyzstan for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
- When
- The outreach has intensified over the past year; the article also cites visits and agreements since 2021 and developments through 2026.
- Why
- India seeks to reduce exposure to United States trade policies, strengthen economic growth and manufacturing, secure energy and technology, and respond to wider geopolitical tensions.
Supporters’ case
Critics’ concerns
Value of targeted partnerships
Supporters’ case
Supporters say focused agreements with multiple countries can deliver concrete benefits in technology, trade, jobs, energy and defense while reducing dependence on one market.
Critics’ concerns
Analyst Chietigj Bajpayee said India’s relationship with the United States is in flux and currently lacks strategic focus, while the practical results of numerous agreements remain an issue.
Trade-policy shift
Supporters’ case
The European Union and United Kingdom agreements show India can make tariff concessions to gain market access and deepen economic ties, according to the report.
Critics’ concerns
The report says the EU agreement marked a departure from India’s longstanding protectionist policy, making the shift potentially significant for domestic policy and trade.
Balancing major powers
Supporters’ case
India is strengthening ties with Japan, Australia, Europe and other middle powers while maintaining engagement with Russia, China and the United States.
Critics’ concerns
India’s need to balance relationships reflects pressure from tariffs, geopolitical tensions and energy-route risks, including dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for much of its crude imports.
Key facts
- Foreign outreach
- Modi has visited at least 20 countries since August 2025, according to the New York Times report.
- Reported visit spending
- Nearly ₹550 crore has been spent on Modi’s overseas visits since 2021; more than ₹74.58 crore was spent in 2026 so far, according to a parliamentary reply.
- Memorandums of understanding
- India reported 316 memorandums of understanding signed during Modi’s foreign visits since July 2021.
- Foreign investment
- The government reported $381.8 billion in FDI received from April 2021 through December 2025.
- Major priorities
- The report groups India’s priorities into defense technology, regional security, energy imports, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.
- Trade agreements
- India signed a free trade agreement with the European Union in January and reached a trade agreement with the United Kingdom in 2025.
- United States tariffs
- The report says the Trump administration announced 25 percent global tariffs and later imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India over purchases of Russian oil.
Quotes
Priyam Gandhi-Mody
Executive director of the Future Economic Cooperation Council, a Maharashtra government initiative
“India is back to pursuing a strategy where it balances and manages its relationships with both smaller countries, middle powers like Canada and Japan, and the global powers, U.S. and China”
livemint.com
“We want to build better ties with the rest of the world as the size of our economy grows”
livemint.com
Sources
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