India’s approach to international relations has really changed in the last few decades. Instead of just sticking to traditional diplomatic methods, it is combining development strategies with diplomacy to make its foreign policy stronger and more effective. This is often referred to as “Developmental Diplomacy.”
These days, India is adapting more effective and innovative strategies to better protect and promote its national interest. The main goal is to boost its global standing, attract more investments through developmental projects, and ensure comprehensive growth while simultaneously reinforcing regional partnerships.
This article looks at how India is using this approach to connect with other countries and show that it can be a responsible and active player on the world stage.
In the last five years, India has really focused on using DEVELOPMENTAL DIPLOMACY in its foreign policy. This strategy aims for inclusive growth, building global partnerships, and strengthening cooperation with other developing countries. India has stepped up on the world stage, not just as a regional player, but as a trusted development ally for many Nations.—One of the standout efforts has been India’s role in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which is working to improve access to solar energy in Africa, the Pacific Islands, and other developing regions. India is providing training, technology, and funding to support these efforts, aligning with its climate goals.
•India has made strides in digital diplomacy as well. Since 2022, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made secure and low-cost digital transactions possible in countries like Singapore, the UAE, France, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
The Digital Public Infrastructure model, which includes Aadhaar and CoWIN, has caught the attention of over 30 developing nations and was featured prominently at the 2023 G20 Summit, showing India’s commitment to sharing digital solutions.
•The Voice of the Global South Summit in 2023 brought together over 125 developing nations to talk on shared issues like climate finance and food security. India contributed practical support, such as satellite data for disaster management and telemedicine, reinforcing its role in voicing Global South interests at the global level, also a key moment in 2023 was the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) at the G20 Summit.
This corridor aims to connect India with Europe via the Middle East through railways and ports. It’s backed by countries like the US, EU, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE and offers a different path compared to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with India at the center.
•India’s humanitarian efforts were praised by the world as well with the Vaccine Maitri initiative (2021- 2022) it delivered over 250 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 100 countries.
This move earned India recognition as a major participator in global health. •India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative has focused on maritime security and sustainable marine resource use, working with partners like Australia, France, and Japan to strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific.
Lastly, India continues to support developing nations through various capacity-building programs, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean.
The ITEC program and the Pan-African e-Network have provided training in IT, health, agriculture, and renewable energy. All these efforts show how India is becoming a global development partner, using innovation and cooperation to push for a fairer and more connected world. India’s developmental diplomacy is getting recognition all over the world today, this can be understood better from the recent events, such as When Myanmar felt the powerful earthquake with the intensity of 7.7 magnitudes on 28 March 2025, due to which a horrific scene was witnessed there, many lives were also lost, the disaster was so terrible that its effect was also seen in neighboring Thailand and Bangkok.
In response, India launched “Operation Brahma” to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar. With this immediate action, India’s image as a dependable neighbor has been restored, which strengthened its presence in the Region. India has showcased its formidable defense capabilities to the world through ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan, underscoring its strong global standing and its status as a dominant power in the region. It’s response to the ‘2025 Pahalgam terror attack’ showed how it used developmental diplomacy to sway global opinion. As India has called its military actions against Pakistan focused on counterterrorism. These efforts received a lot of international backing, with leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin voicing their support.
Other leaders from countries like Italy, the UAE, Israel, and the UK also condemned the attack and stood with India. This highlights India’s determination to tackle terrorism and gather international backing against groups based in Pakistan. The only country that openly supported Pakistan was Turkey. So, it seems that India’s diplomatic moves helped shape global views, putting Pakistan in a tough spot and strengthening India’s stance against terrorism.
In April 2025, the US imposed a 26% tariff on all Indian imports, citing trade imbalances. This move threatened up to $7 billion in Indian exports and affected nearly 87% of goods sent to the U.S. In response, India decided to engage in diplomacy instead of retaliating. They started discussions for a temporary trade deal, kept an eye on what the U.S. was giving to other countries, and pushed to get the WTO’s dispute resolution system back on track.
Meanwhile, India also aimed to diversify its exports and improve its competitive edge. Although the U.S. did not directly link the tariffs to the India-Pakistan conflict, their timing suggests a broader strategic context. India’s calm, multi-layered diplomatic approach reflected its evolving global role—balancing national interests with long-term economic and geopolitical stability. The IMF’s world economic outlook for 2025 shows that India has become the 4th largest economy, with a GDP of $4.19 trillion, just ahead of Japan’s GDP of $4.18 trillion. This growth highlights how well India has handled its developmental diplomacy.
By blending domestic reforms with proactive engagement on the global stage, India has really given its economy a lift. Initiatives like Digital India, make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat have strengthened India’s position as Manufacturing hub and a major investment destination. This approach has led to an increase in foreign direct investment, trade, and infrastructure growth, helping India become a reliable player in the global economy and boosting its GDP growth. Through Developmental Diplomacy, India is not only securing its national interests but also emerging as a key planner of a more inclusive and cooperative global order.
Combining growth, technology, and global partnerships to advance national interests. From advocating renewable energy through the International Solar Alliance to sharing digital innovations like UPI and Cowin, India is growing its image as a trusted development partner. Humanitarian missions like “Operation Brahma” and global health efforts under Vaccine Maitri highlight its commitment to inclusive, responsible leadership at regional as well as global stage. India’s strategic patience in trade disputes and firm stance against terrorism show a mature, balanced diplomatic approach.
With its rise as the world’s 4th largest economy and increasing global influence, India is no longer just reacting to global shifts—it’s helping shape them. Developmental diplomacy has become the vehicle through which India projects strength, fosters trust, and builds lasting global ties.
(Writer of this article is Isha Singh Chouhan M.A Political Science Kanoria P.G Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jaipur (Raj)