Narendra Modi: The Man Reshaping India’s Place in the World Order
Few leaders in contemporary global politics command as much attention — or provoke as much debate — as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since taking office in 2014 and winning a third consecutive term in 2024, Modi has steered the world’s most populous nation through a period of dramatic transformation, positioning India as an indispensable power at the intersection of rival geopolitical blocs. How he governs, what drives his decisions, and what those decisions mean for Europe and the wider world have become increasingly urgent questions for policymakers and analysts alike.
Modi rose from modest origins in the western state of Gujarat, where he served as chief minister for over a decade before ascending to national power. His political identity is rooted in the Hindu nationalist movement associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, known as the RSS, a connection that has shaped both his governing philosophy and his relationship with India’s diverse, multi-religious society. Supporters credit him with instilling a sense of national purpose and economic ambition; critics argue that his tenure has corresponded with a narrowing of democratic space and rising tensions along communal lines, according to reports from international civil liberties organisations.
A Balancing Act on the World Stage
On foreign policy, Modi has pursued a doctrine of strategic autonomy that defies easy categorisation. India under his leadership has deepened security ties with the United States and joined the Quad grouping alongside Japan and Australia, while simultaneously maintaining long-standing defence and energy relationships with Russia. When Western governments pressed New Delhi to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, India abstained in key United Nations votes and continued purchasing discounted Russian oil — a stance that drew criticism from Brussels and Washington but reflected Modi’s insistence on prioritising Indian national interests above alignment with any single bloc.
For European capitals, this posture presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The European Union and India relaunched stalled free trade agreement negotiations in 2022, and talks have continued, albeit slowly, amid differences over labour standards, intellectual property, and market access. European officials have been keen to cultivate India as a counterweight to China’s growing assertiveness, but Modi’s government has shown little appetite for sacrificing economic flexibility in exchange for closer alignment with Western positions.
Domestically, Modi’s economic record draws sharply contrasting assessments. India has become the world’s fifth-largest economy and attracts record levels of foreign direct investment, with the government’s flagship infrastructure and digitalisation programmes drawing international praise. Yet income inequality remains pronounced, unemployment — particularly among young people — is a persistent concern, and questions about the distribution of economic gains continue to feature prominently in opposition critiques and independent economic analyses.
Press freedom and the independence of institutions have also come under scrutiny during his tenure. India has slipped in global press freedom rankings compiled by several international organisations, and opposition figures have raised concerns about the use of investigative agencies against political rivals, allegations the government has consistently rejected as politically motivated.
As India prepares to play an ever-larger role in global affairs — from climate negotiations to technology governance and supply chain realignment — understanding the worldview of its leader has become essential reading for anyone tracking the shifting architecture of international power. Modi’s India is neither a reliable Western partner nor a straightforward adversary; it is, increasingly, a pole of its own.
