External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India's foreign policy has undergone a sweeping transformation during the last 12 years [1].
These remarks come as the government evaluates its global standing and the efficacy of its diplomatic outreach to the Indian diaspora. By linking high-level strategy to tangible citizen services, the ministry is framing diplomatic success through the lens of national utility.
Jaishankar said several key areas of progress in statements reported Tuesday. He said that the government has simplified passport services and increased the level of support provided to Indians living abroad [2]. These internal administrative shifts are presented as essential components of a broader strategy to better serve the global Indian community.
Beyond administrative changes, the minister pointed to India's active role in crisis management. He said large-scale evacuations of citizens from conflict zones were a primary achievement [2]. Specifically, Jaishankar referenced operations to bring Indians home from Ukraine, Israel, Afghanistan, and Sudan [2].
These actions follow a milestone reached on May 26, 2026, marking 12 years [1] of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi framed these achievements as evidence of a shift toward a more proactive and responsive foreign policy.
According to the ministry, the evolution of these policies reflects a commitment to a "self-reliant India" that can simultaneously project influence and protect its citizens on a global scale [1]. The focus remains on balancing strategic autonomy with the practical needs of the diaspora in an increasingly volatile international environment.
“India's foreign policy has undergone a sweeping transformation during the last 12 years.”
The emphasis on passport services and evacuations signals a shift in how India defines diplomatic success. Rather than focusing solely on bilateral treaties or geopolitical alignments, the government is prioritizing 'citizen-centric diplomacy.' This approach seeks to build domestic political support by demonstrating that the state's global influence provides direct, tangible security and convenience to individual citizens regardless of where they are located.
