0. Introduction: India’s diplomacy in 2025

0.1 2025 reset global political and economic equations amid Trump’s return, ongoing wars, and regional churn.
0.2 For India, the year involved country-specific diplomatic tests across major powers, neighbours, and multilateral groupings.
0.3 India’s bilateral choices will shape its global standing and regional stability in 2026.

INDIA–UNITED STATES

1. India–U.S. under Trump 2.0

1.1 Early engagement after Trump’s return raised expectations, with leaders beginning trade talks.
1.2 Relations deteriorated after Trump claimed credit for stopping war with Pakistan.
1.3 The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on India, the highest on any country.
1.4 India was forced to reduce oil imports from Russia, impacting strategic trust.
1.5 Trade talks continue, but strategic confidence has weakened.

INDIA–PAKISTAN

2. Pakistan: uneasy pause

2.1 After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor.
2.2 India drew a new red line, stating nuclear blackmail would not deter response.
2.3 A terror incident near Red Fort tested restraint, with India avoiding escalation rhetoric.
2.4 Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir became Field Marshal, consolidating power.
2.5 India remains on guard, requiring sustained military and diplomatic bandwidth.

INDIA–RUSSIA & UKRAINE

3. Russia–Ukraine war and India

3.1 The Russia–Ukraine war entered its fourth year in 2025.
3.2 Trump pushed for a ceasefire, rebuking Zelenskyy and criticising Putin.
3.3 Despite talks, disagreements over territory and security guarantees persist.
3.4 India remains invested in peace efforts, amid U.S. tariffs on Russian oil.

INDIA–WEST ASIA

4. West Asia: Gaza and regional fallout

4.1 The Gaza war reshaped West Asian geopolitics, asserting U.S.–Israel dominance.
4.2 U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites escalated tensions.
4.3 Israeli strikes in Qatar led Trump to pressure Netanyahu to apologise to Qatar’s Emir.
4.4 A Trump-brokered ceasefire paused the war despite violations.
4.5 West Asian stability remains critical for India’s interests.

INDIA–CHINA

5. Re-engagement with China

5.1 As U.S. ties strained, India asserted strategic autonomy by re-engaging China.
5.2 PM Modi met Xi Jinping at the SCO summit in Tianjin.
5.3 Visa curbs eased and direct flights restored after the October 2024 Kazan summit.
5.4 Despite talks, around 50,000 troops remain deployed on each side of the LAC.

INDIA–RUSSIA

6. Outreach to Russia

6.1 PM Modi met Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit and later bilaterally.
6.2 India’s outreach unsettled some European partners.
6.3 Engagement reinforced India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy.

INDIA–NEPAL

7. Nepal: regime churn

7.1 Protests against corruption and nepotism destabilised Nepal’s political system.
7.2 Gen Z leaders were ousted, leading to an interim government under Justice Sushila Karki.
7.3 Elections promised in early 2026.
7.4 Support for monarchy revived, though elites resist deeper change.

INDIA–BANGLADESH

8. Bangladesh: internal unrest

8.1 Unrest followed the killing of youth leader Osman Hadi.
8.2 A lynching incident deepened India–Bangladesh tensions.
8.3 Interim government under Muhammad Yunus faces legitimacy and security challenges.
8.4 The country heads towards February 2026 elections.

INDIA–CANADA

9. Reset with Canada

9.1 Relations were strained over allegations linked to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
9.2 With Mark Carney as Prime Minister, ties began improving.
9.3 Steps include restoring visas, staffing missions, and reinstating envoys.

INDIA–TURKEY & AFGHANISTAN

10. Turkey

10.1 Ties deteriorated after Turkish drones were found in Pakistan’s arsenal.
10.2 Turkey openly backed Islamabad, straining relations.

11. Afghanistan

11.1 India strengthened engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
11.2 Ministers were hosted, the Afghan embassy reopened, and Kabul reframed as “the enemy’s enemy”.

INDIA–EUROPE

12. Europe in focus

12.1 India signed a trade deal with the UK.
12.2 Negotiations with the European Union are underway.
12.3 Visits by Antonio Costa, Friedrich Merz, and Emmanuel Macron are expected.

MULTILATERAL & GLOBAL PLATFORMS

13. BRICS, Quad and G20

13.1 India will host the BRICS summit in 2026, with Putin and Xi expected.
13.2 Delhi hopes to host a Quad leaders’ summit if Trump visits India.
13.3 The G20 summit 2026 will be hosted by the U.S. in South Africa.

INDIA–CHINA–U.S. TRIANGLE

14. China–U.S. rivalry

14.1 India is watching intensifying U.S.–China competition over AI and semiconductors.
14.2 As a new entrant in chip manufacturing, India has high stakes.

INDIA–AFRICA

15. Africa engagement

15.1 After goodwill during the G20 presidency, India plans the next India–Africa Forum Summit.
15.2 Africa remains central to India’s Global South diplomacy.

16. Conclusion: What 2026 holds

16.1 India enters 2026 balancing autonomy, alignment, and ambition.
16.2 Trade outcomes, neighbourhood elections, and global peace efforts will define India’s path.
16.3 The year offers scope for repair and rebuilding, with little room for error.