“GLOBAL SOUTH”
Modi this week called New Delhi “a strong and important voice of the Global South”, and last year India hosted two “Voice of the Global South” summits as it sought to strengthen its role as a representative of Asian, African and South American nations.
It was under Modi’s watch that the African Union bloc became a permanent member of the G20, with India arguing developing nations need a greater say in global decision-making.
India is also a founder member of the BRICS club of emerging economies.
RUSSIA
New Delhi and Moscow have ties dating back to the Cold War and Russia remains by far India’s biggest arms supplier.
New Delhi has shied away from explicit condemnation of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, abstained on UN resolutions censuring Moscow, and snapped up cut-price Russian crude oil supplies.
Modi in March congratulated President Vladimir Putin on his re-election, adding he was looking forward to developing their “special” relationship.
PAKISTAN
Modi’s government has refused to engage with historic rival Pakistan since accusing Islamabad of cross-border terrorism.
The two nations have fought three wars and numerous smaller skirmishes since being carved out of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947. Control of contested Kashmir has been at the centre of tensions.
In 2015 Modi made a surprise visit to the Pakistani city of Lahore but relations plummeted in 2019.
In March, Modi congratulated Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on his return to the premiership – a rare expression of goodwill between the leaders of the nuclear-armed neighbours.
