Achievement of India’s foreign policy:
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Nuclear diplomacy: The NDA made India nuclear in 1998, initiated strategic discussions to resolve nuclear differences, leading eventually to the India-US nuclear deal under the UPA.
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Gulf diplomacy: Openings towards the conservative Gulf states created by the UPA have been remarkably broadened.
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Integrating West with the East:
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The India-US Malabar exercises resumed under the UPA and now include Japan and Australia.
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The Look East policy of the UPA became the Act East policy under the NDA.
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The Indo-Pacific concept, first formulated by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on our soil in 2007, has evolved under the NDA.
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Increased attention to neighbours:
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Attention to neighbours has greatly increased, with PM Modi making frequent visits to their capitals.
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Maritime security in the Indian Ocean has become a priority.
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Access to naval bases in the Gulf is now available to the Indian navy. – India’s extended neighbourhood.
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The cultivation of relations with ASEAN has continued; its leaders were present at the Republic Day celebration in 2018 as chief guests.
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Trading with the West:
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At the 16th India-EU Leaders Virtual Summit on May 21, where all the 27 leaders were present, a decision to resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement was taken.
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Separately, an Enhanced Trade Partnership Agreement has been signed with post-Brexit UK.
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Utilising the soft power: Actively promoted India’s soft power and its cultural and religious heritage as a tool of foreign policy. In 2014, the UN declared June 21 as Yoga Day annually.
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Quiet but intensive diplomacy: India pursued quiet but intensive diplomacy, coupled with strong military measures, on the far more dangerous eastern Ladakh confrontation.
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The Indian government stood up the Chinese expansionism in northern Bhutan, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and South China Sea.
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Massing 50,000 troops and occupying the Kailash Range heights.
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Active participation with the international flora: Be it the G20 meetings and those of BRICS and SCO.
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It has built the International Solar Alliance and the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Coalition.
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Developed the Indo-Pacific concept, strengthened the Quad, and launched new initiatives (SAGAR) in the Indian Ocean area.
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Peaceful ambitions: While India aspires to be a leading power, there is no officially expressed ambition to be a “Vishwa Guru”, even though the West acts as a “Vishwa Guru” in spreading its values as universal.