Parliamentary panel suggests formulation of comprehensive foreign policy strategy tailored to India's context

Parliamentary panel recommends tailored foreign policy strategy for India's global stature, emphasizing geopolitical context, economic clout, and global relationships.

A parliamentary panel has recommended formulation of a comprehensive foreign policy strategy that is specifically "tailored to India's distinctive geopolitical context", emerging economic clout and evolving global relationships.

The committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in its report said it was keen to know whether the Ministry of External Affairs has explored the idea of having a "grand strategy" that clearly spells out coherent foreign policy objectives, goals and strategy for the long run.

The 'Fifth Report of the Committee on External Affairs (2024-25) on Demands for Grants (2025-26)' was presented in Parliament on Monday (March 17, 2025).

"India, with its burgeoning geopolitical influence must not lag behind in articulating its own roadmap for a future-oriented foreign policy that corresponds to its increasing global stature," the panel said in the nearly 250-page report.

The MEA, through its ongoing assessment of the foreign policy strategies of other nations, has undertaken a valuable exercise in understanding the shifting paradigms of global diplomacy, it said.

"The committee, however, suggests that the ministry should consider the desirability of taking the logical next step which is the formulation of a formal and comprehensive foreign policy document/strategy that is specifically tailored to India's distinctive geopolitical context, emerging economic clout, and evolving global relationships," the report said.

The MEA should "expeditiously initiate" consultations with relevant stakeholders, including experts, diplomats, policymakers, and the committee to explore the feasibility and scope of such a document, it said.