PAKISTAN READER

Adarsh Vijay Adarsh Vijay is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.

During the second quarter of 2026, India’s foreign policy navigated a busy calendar by balancing relations with the Global North and the Global South, in line with its multialignment strategy. The period was characterised by high-level visits, selective cooperation with China, hosting minilateral and multilateral summits, G7-driven sideline diplomacy, maintaining trade dynamics, cautious observation of the West Asian scenario and advancing ties and collaborations in Europe. These developments exemplify India’s sustained efforts to rise above middle-power status and leave a larger strategic footprint globally.

1. High-Level Visits and Cooperation
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made a state visit to India from 19 to 21 April, followed by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar’s visit to Seoul from 24 to 25 June. The two nations actively focused on their Special Strategic Partnership in shipbuilding, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy between 15 May and 20 May. The visit sought to enhance cooperation on matters ranging from defence, energy, investment, security and trade to technology. Mr Modi attended the Third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on 19 May 2026. Apart from strengthening cooperation across digital innovation, emerging technologies, investment and trade, the summit also expanded collaboration in the blue economy, maritime cooperation, STEM research, resilient supply chains, and defence partnerships. During Modi’s visit to Italy, the bilateral relations were elevated to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” Modi also referred to the relations as a “win-win partnership.” The United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his first official visit to New Delhi from 23 to 26 May. Discussions focused on resetting ties, addressing critical-minerals supply chains, and defence cooperation. Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing made a five-day visit to India from 30 May to 3 June. The meeting with PM Modi spanned border security, connectivity, defence and trade. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on judicial cooperation was also signed by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, and the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, Igor Krasnov, in Moscow on 23 June 2026. India also participated in the second Pax Silica Summit held in Washington on 25 June. Along with 34 other countries, India signed on to a US-led initiative to build trusted and resilient supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. An Indian delegation led by Mr. Modi was also on a state visit to Seychelles from 27-29 June, emphasising its “special place” in India’s Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision. The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 28-31 May was postponed due to the spread of the Ebola virus in Africa.

2. Multilateral and Minilateral Meetings
As the chair of BRICS for 2026, India hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi from 14-15 May 2026, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” This multilateral summit provided a critical neutral ground, serving as the first in-person diplomatic interaction between top officials of Iran and the UAE since the flare-up of the West Asia conflict earlier this year. India also hosted the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram from 25-26 June.
Amid questions about the group’s momentum following a turbulent period, India hosted the 11th Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. The Indian foreign minister hosted the US’ Marco Rubio, the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi. The partners launched the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC), the Common Operating Picture (COP), the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework, and the Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security. The minilateral meeting drew a Chinese reaction, which called it “building exclusive cliques” and “engaging in bloc confrontation.”

3. Monitoring the West Asian Crisis
India condemned the US Navy strikes on three commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman. The attack on a Palau-flagged tanker, MT Settebello, on 10 June resulted in the death of three Indian sailors. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires Jason Meeks and conveyed that the US attacks on ships with Indian crew are “unacceptable.” Moreover, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited Modi to attend the state funeral of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in July. The Palestinian embassy requested India’s medical aid as its healthcare apparatus is on the “verge of collapse” owing to the Israeli aggression. India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval reviewed the West Asian crisis with Ghadir Nezamipour, the Deputy Secretary for Defence Affairs of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the first senior official from Tehran to visit India since Iran and the US signed a 14-point MoU on June 17 towards de-escalation.

4. G7 and the Sideline Diplomacy
At the 52nd G7 Summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from 15-17 June 2026, India marked its 13th overall and seventh consecutive appearance as an invitee, positioning itself as the voice of the Global South. However, the true focal point of India’s visit was its high-stakes sideline diplomacy. India used the visit to deepen ties with Europe through additional engagements in France and Slovakia, signalling broader strategic outreach beyond the G7 itself. Mr. Modi’s visit to Slovakia, a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member, was the first by an Indian PM since Slovakia’s independence in 1993. The visit upgraded the bilateral ties to a “Comprehensive Partnership.” The joint statement embraced matters including counterterrorism, culture, defence, energy, trade, and technology. New Delhi and Bratislava also signed a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation. 

The India-United Kingdom (UK) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluded in 2025 and initially scheduled to take effect in May 2026, has been postponed due to new steel protections introduced by the UK. The meeting between Modi and the British PM Keir Starmer at Évian-les-Bains clarified that the deal would enter into force on 15 July 2026. A meeting between Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EU), also indicated that the India-EU FTA would be signed by the end of 2026.
Amidst the tension over the recent US Navy strikes in the Gulf of Oman that killed Indian commercial sailors, Mr. Modi held the first bilateral meeting in 16 months with US President Donald Trump. He raised India’s deep concerns about freedom of navigation, the safety of its seafarers, and the vulnerability of maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz. Besides, PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the maiden edition of “Bharat Innovates 2026” at Nice, France. The event sought to advance partnerships between India’s deep tech innovators and global stakeholders. 

5. Neighbourhood Dynamics
On 3 May, Kathmandu opposed India’s and China’s preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the disputed Lipulekh pass. India deemed Nepal’s claims as “unilateral artificial enlargement” and “untenable.” According to reports, India also resumed Indo-China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in June, a move that Nepal has objected to. However, Nepal PM Balendra Shah “Balen” called for diplomatic solutions since the boundary disputes are not one-sided. Furthermore, India appointed Dinesh Trivedi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, as its next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Mr. Trivedi, who assumed office on 25 June 2026, is the first political appointee to head India’s foreign mission in Dhaka and has been granted a cabinet rank, indicating direct access to India’s PM. On 12 June, India and Bangladesh agreed to strengthen cooperation in their shared border regions to improve intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols. This comes at a time when bilateral relations remain strained over alleged undocumented migration. On 28 June, India also dismissed a Pakistani allegation of Indian links to an attack on the Headquarters of Pakistan Rangers in Karachi on 27 June that killed three paramilitary personnel.

To Conclude: India and the World in Apr-June 2026
The second quarter of 2026 presented India with a mix of bilateral and multilateral wins. India’s sideline diplomacy at Évian-les-Bains eclipsed its invitation to the G7 Summit. The Quad meeting was a testimony to New Delhi’s minilateral maritime credentials and the “China factor” in its Indo-Pacific strategy. India also sought to strengthen and upgrade ties with Italy and Slovakia. Though South-South cooperation remained evident in the BRICS meetings, India’s focus was more on North-South cooperation, particularly with Europe. The implementation of FTAs with the UK and the EU is moving closer to reality. Besides, India is closely monitoring developments in West Asia. Strong reactions, particularly with Nepal, the US and Pakistan, also defined India’s foreign policy trajectories. Though unavoidable, the cancellation of the India-Africa Forum Summit is a setback to the Indo-African ties. The Quad meeting and resumption of the border trade sustain India’s policy of strategic rivalry with Beijing, marked by selective cooperation. Simultaneously, India’s ties with Nepal, China and Bangladesh are indicative of progress.

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