India enters this year with one of the most active diplomatic calendars in its history. Here are the five themes most likely to dominate New Delhi’s foreign policy in the coming months.
1. The semiconductor scramble
Chips have replaced oil as the strategic commodity of the decade. Expect continued momentum on the India Semiconductor Mission, deepening partnerships with the US, Japan, the Netherlands, and Taiwan. The global semiconductor industry is projected to cross $1 trillion in revenue by 2030, and India currently captures less than 1% of it.
2. Indo-Pacific and the Quad
The Quad grouping has matured from a strategic dialogue into a functional partnership across maritime security, technology, and supply chains. Watch for new joint naval exercises and possible Quad-Plus formats involving South Korea or the European Union.
3. The Global South leadership claim
India’s G20 presidency cemented its self-image as the voice of the Global South. Climate finance, debt restructuring, and equitable AI governance are likely to be New Delhi’s signature themes at multilateral forums.
4. The China question
India-China relations remain in their most prolonged tense phase since the 1962 war. Trade dependence has grown, with India’s imports from China crossing $100 billion last year despite the political chill. Expect continued cautious engagement alongside hard de-coupling in strategic sectors.
5. Middle East rebalancing
The Israel-Hamas conflict, the Iran-Saudi normalisation, and the broader churn in West Asia have made the Gulf the most volatile region affecting India directly. Nine million Indians work there. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure bet.
The bigger picture
India’s foreign policy has been characterised as “multi-alignment” — engaging multiple partners simultaneously without locking into any single bloc. The test this year will be whether it can convert diplomatic capital into concrete economic outcomes.
Klik News Analysis