Modi Operandi: The Art of Global Charm

Abstract

Narendra Modi has made foreign policy a show of personality, from sold-out stadium diplomacy to tea breaks with world leaders. This article explores how Modi”s distinct fusion of charisma, spectacle, and symbolism has changed India’s reputation abroad, often obfuscating the distinction between showmanship and statesmanship. Even if his individualised touch has garnered attention and handshakes, the true question is still whether charm can result in checkmates on a global scale.

Introduction

"We live in an interdependent world. An isolated India is not in our interest."

— Narendra Modi

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a master of the show in a time when foreign policy is more about perception than strategy. Few Indian leaders have ever brought personality to diplomacy like Modi, who has done everything from meeting with foreign leaders with bear embraces to speaking to tens of thousands at diaspora rallies. In addition to increasing India's international profile, this piece examines how Modi's global stagecraft blends charm, cultural outreach, and geopolitical calculation, igniting discussion on the long-term benefits of charisma-driven diplomacy.

From Non-Alignment to Multi Alignment

Jawaharlal Nehru's non-alignment, which was a refusal to join Cold War power blocs, formed India's post-independence foreign policy. For many years, this idea served as the cornerstone of Indian diplomacy. But Modi's rise in 2014 signalled a dramatic shift in direction toward what experts refer to as "multi-alignment"—a readiness to actively engage with a variety of nations across frequently conflicting interests. Modi chose to establish parallel ties with the US, Russia, Israel, Japan, and occasionally even China rather than going the conventional route.

The Checkmates: Strategic Gains (and Stalemates)

Modi has achieved real results from his one-on-one diplomacy. His relationship with Shinzo Abe of Japan resulted in a strengthened "Special Strategic and Global Partnership" that increased collaboration in technology, infrastructure, and marine security. Modi broke with tradition by becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, establishing ties that had hitherto been kept under wraps.

Modi's personal diplomacy hasn't always avoided conflict, though. India saw military clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020, despite the 2018 Wuhan summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was meant to restore bilateral ties. This served as a reminder to observers that goodwill gestures do not necessarily translate into strategic trust. In the same vein, despite long-standing diaspora ties and commercial talks, ties with Canada worsened in 2023 over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar .

Soft Power and the “Modi Brand”

Modi has effectively conveyed India's humanitarian and cultural assets. His efforts to establish International Yoga Day, which has been recognized by the UN since 2015, and the Vaccine Maitri program, which saw India distribute COVID-19 vaccinations to more than 90 nations, improved India's soft power standing. Modi's reputation as a world leader with moral conviction and cultural depth was strengthened by these actions, which also established India as a responsible global actor.

Conclusion: Charm or Checkmate?

Modi has transformed diplomacy into an art form that is loaded with politics, performance, and purpose, whether he is having tea with Japanese dignitaries or giving bear embraces to world leaders. Unquestionably, his strategy has increased India's visibility internationally. However, India's diplomacy needs to be more than just charm as the globe struggles with growing authoritarianism, tensions between big powers, and global crises. Making sure that the Modi model is supported by strong institutions and a consistent long-term plan would be the true checkmate. Only then can personal diplomacy's showmanship result in long-lasting geopolitical victories.

REFERENCES

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2. Ian Hall, Modi and the Reinvention of Indian Foreign Policy (Bristol Univ. Press 2019)
3. Ian Hall, Narendra Modi and India’s Normative Power, 94 Int’l Aff. 1131 (2018)
4. Rajesh Basrur, Modi’s Foreign Policy Fundamentals: A Trajectory Unchanged, 93 Int’l Aff. 7 (2017).
5. Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, Modi's Personal Touch to Diplomacy Furthers Indian Interests Worldwide, Econ. Times (Apr. 26, 2018), https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/modis-personal-touch-to-diplomacy-furthers-indian-interests-worldwide/articleshow/63930507.cms (last visited May 10, 2025).