From Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment: India’s Strategic Shifts in Foreign Policy Under Narendra Modi

Abstract

This study critically examines the transformation of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on its shift from a traditional non-aligned stance to a pragmatic multi-alignment strategy. While India has historically projected a neutral and balanced foreign policy, its increasing strategic engagements—particularly in defense, economic partnerships, and multilateral agreements—suggest a recalibrated diplomatic approach. The study explores India’s evolving relations with major global powers, notably the United States, Russia, and China, alongside its participation in security frameworks such as QUAD, BECA, COMCASA, and LEMOA. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Complex Interdependence Theory and Social Constructivism, this research argues that India’s foreign policy under Modi reflects a strategic realignment rather than adherence to neutrality. Through qualitative case study analysis and textual evaluation, the study argues that India’s proclaimed neutrality is increasingly a diplomatic construct, with its policies reflecting selective alignments rather than balanced neutrality. Ultimately, the research concludes that while India continues to emphasize its strategic autonomy, its foreign policy is now shaped by realpolitik and power-driven alignments rather than the principles of traditional non-alignment.