C. Raja Mohan and Happymon Jacob’s article, “Manmohan Singh: A Renaissance Man in a Conservative Milieu,” offers an insightful analysis of Manmohan Singh’s foreign policy vision and the obstacles he faced in its implementation. Their characterisation of Singh’s “expansive foreign policy vision” centred on regional peace, reconciling with the global nuclear order, and reconfiguring great power relationships offers valuable insights into his foreign policy legacy. However, it misses an opportunity to explore Singh’s legacy more comprehensively—particularly his pivotal role in advancing economic diplomacy and integrating India in the emerging global trade systems. These aspects are essential for appreciating the broader significance of his leadership in shaping India’s global role.
Nonetheless, the article presents a well-reasoned and persuasive analysis, offering valuable insights into this transformative period in India’s foreign policy. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister (2004–2014) stands out as a defining period in India’s diplomacy, distinguished by his cohesive approach to development and foreign policy. His policies showcased a deep awareness of power dynamics, leveraging India’s growing global clout to address pressing domestic challenges like poverty.
Singh’s legacy underscores his conviction that globalisation, strategic partnerships, and regional stability are essential drivers of India’s growth and enhance its global relevance. Rooted in a blend of pragmatism and idealism, Singh’s approach to diplomacy aimed to leverage India’s growing economic stature to address domestic developmental challenges while meaningfully contributing to global governance.
Foreign Policy as a Catalyst for Development
Singh viewed foreign policy not as a standalone domain but as a critical driver of India’s economic and social development. He believed diplomatic engagement should foster a global environment conducive to the country’s growth. His landmark achievement, the 2008 India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, exemplifies this vision. Recognising that sustainable energy was critical to maintaining high economic growth rates and lifting millions out of poverty, Singh ensured India’s access to nuclear technology while safeguarding its sovereignty. This agreement also ended India’s nuclear isolation, granting access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel and affirming the country’s status as a responsible global nuclear power. Singh’s persistence in overcoming domestic political resistance to the deal highlighted his dedication to securing India’s long-term energy needs, which are essential for its industrialisation and development.
Singh’s legacy underscores his conviction that globalisation, strategic partnerships, and regional stability are essential drivers of India’s growth and enhance its global relevance. Rooted in a blend of pragmatism and idealism, Singh’s approach to diplomacy aimed to leverage India’s growing economic stature to address domestic developmental challenges while meaningfully contributing to global governance.
Singh’s development-oriented foreign policy extended beyond energy to global trade and economic integration. During his tenure, India significantly deepened its engagement with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and initiated the “Look West” policy as well to cultivate strategic and economic partnerships with Gulf countries. Singh viewed globalisation as an opportunity and positioned India as a key player in global supply chains. His policies attracted foreign investment, created jobs, and built infrastructure, enhancing India’s global economic stature.
Therefore, Singh’s approach to foreign policy was underpinned by a vision of aligning economic progress with diplomatic engagement. By creating economic opportunities and securing diversified energy supplies, he anchored India’s international strategy in development. His efforts enhanced India’s economic standing and positioned it as a rising global power, underscoring a critical link between domestic progress and global diplomacy. Singh’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to craft a forward-looking diplomatic framework that balanced pragmatism with idealism, ensuring that India’s foreign engagements served as catalysts for its developmental aspirations.
Vision for Global Governance and Climate Leadership
Singh envisioned India as a responsible and inclusive leader in global governance who championed the interests of emerging economies. India was proactive in multilateral forums like the G20 and institutionalised BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) during his tenure. At the 2009 BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) Summit, he called for reforms in the international financial institutions and a more diversified monetary system to strengthen the representation of developing countries in global decision-making.
Singh’s approach to climate change negotiations, which became prominent in the international calendar during his tenure, was marked by a balance between pragmatism and principle. He recognised India’s vulnerability to global warming and sought to harmonise development imperatives with environmental sustainability. Establishing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008 demonstrated India’s commitment to addressing climate issues. The NAPCC outlined eight missions, focusing on transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. This initiative underscored Singh’s acknowledgement that global warming posed significant challenges to India, at par with developed nations.
India’s evolving stance on climate change reflected broader foreign policy adjustments toward greater responsibility in managing global commons. Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, India has held to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” which placed the primary burden of pollution reduction on developed states while urging them to support developing countries with resources and technology. As global climate negotiations intensified, Singh reshaped India’s stance to align with its rising global stature. At the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit (COP 15), India shifted from a defensive posture to a more proactive role, voluntarily pledging a 20–25% reduction in carbon intensity by 2020 (from 2005 levels). This move reflected a readiness to contribute to global climate mitigation efforts.
Despite its low per capita emissions, India acknowledged the inevitability of a rising carbon footprint due to rapid industrial growth. With this understanding, Singh’s government, with Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh leading the negotiations, began moving away from the per capita emissions argument. This marked a significant shift, positioning India as a leader in global climate action. India also became a key BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) member, advocating for equitable climate policies that balanced environmental responsibility with development priorities.
Singh’s vision ensured that India’s voice shaped international climate agreements, championing sustainable progress for the global South. Singh’s efforts not only showcased India’s commitment to multilateralism but also reflected a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness between domestic development and global climate governance. This shift ultimately strengthened India’s global credibility and contributed to framing climate change as a shared responsibility that required cooperative action across the developed and developing world.
Humanitarian Leadership and Fostering Regional Peace and Connectivity
One of Singh’s lesser-known but significant contributions to foreign policy was his role in the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. India’s swift and self-reliant disaster response and assistance to affected neighbours marked its emergence as a regional humanitarian leader. India’s self-reliant disaster response, combined with its coordination with the US, Japan, and Australia, not only showcased its leadership in humanitarian and disaster relief but also laid the groundwork for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which would later evolve into a key minilateral grouping in the Indo-Pacific region. Singh’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation ensured India emerged as a reliable partner in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Raja Mohan and Jacob argued that Singh’s foreign policy prioritised peace and connectivity in South Asia as essential to India’s development agenda. He pursued dialogue with Pakistan, building on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s initiatives to address the Kashmir issue. Through back-channel negotiations with then-Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, Singh advocated for a “non-territorial solution” that centred on soft borders, demilitarisation, self-governance and joint management of the region. While these efforts were ultimately derailed by political instability in Pakistan, they marked a bold attempt to foster regional stability and cooperation.
Beyond conflict resolution, Singh’s vision extended to fostering connectivity and regional collaboration to drive peace and prosperity. Recognising the potential of economic integration as a transformative force, he advocated for initiatives that could unite the region under a framework of mutual benefit. Singh championed infrastructure projects and trade agreements to enhance connectivity across borders, reflecting his belief in a “shared destiny” for South Asia. Under his leadership, India was pivotal in promoting the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) agenda, particularly in areas like trade liberalisation and energy cooperation.
One of Singh’s lesser-known but significant contributions to foreign policy was his role in the humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. India’s swift and self-reliant disaster response and assistance to affected neighbours marked its emergence as a regional humanitarian leader. India’s self-reliant disaster response, combined with its coordination with the US, Japan, and Australia, not only showcased its leadership in humanitarian and disaster relief but also laid the groundwork for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
One of Singh’s notable efforts was implementing the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement in 2006, which aimed to reduce tariffs and promote intra-regional trade among SAARC countries. Despite challenges, trade within South Asia saw some growth, with India serving as a key driver of regional trade, accounting for over 70% of South Asia’s GDP. For example, during Singh’s tenure, India’s trade with Bangladesh expanded significantly, growing from approximately $1 billion in 2004 to $5 billion by 2014, aided by measures such as removing tariff barriers for Bangladeshi exports.
Singh also emphasised infrastructure connectivity, promoting projects like the revival of the India-Bangladesh rail linkages, which had been dormant since 1965. These efforts not only facilitated the movement of goods but also strengthened cultural and people-to-people ties. For instance, initiatives like the Maitree Express, a passenger train service between Kolkata and Dhaka launched in 2008, symbolised Singh’s commitment to enhancing cross-border human connections.
Singh’s vision also extended to energy cooperation, with India championing regional projects like the Bhutan-India hydropower collaboration. This initiative supplied clean energy to India while driving Bhutan’s economy, with hydropower contributing over 25% of its GDP by the end of his tenure. Agreements with Nepal facilitated cross-border electricity trade and efforts to develop regional energy grids, highlighting the growing interdependence of South Asian economies.
Advocating for open borders and connectivity, Singh envisioned a peaceful and interconnected South Asia, where economic collaboration and cultural exchange could resolve conflicts and foster shared progress. For him, regional cooperation was not just a policy but the foundation of a stable and prosperous future.
Lessons from the Manmohan Era
Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister offers valuable lessons on the delicate balance between setting ambitious foreign policy objectives and navigating domestic political constraints. Raja Mohan and Jacob’s analysis shows how coalition politics, ideological divides and institutional dynamics shaped India’s diplomacy during this transformative period. The authors raise important questions about the structural challenges of implementing a cohesive foreign policy in a politically fragmented democracy.
Singh’s second term, often criticised for its limited foreign policy achievements, must be viewed within the broader framework of democratic governance. Unlike autocracies, democracies involve competing interests, coalition pressures, political consensus-building, and institutional checks that inherently slow policy implementation. Like his predecessors, Singh faced these realities as he sought to navigate the competing demands of coalition politics and entrenched bureaucratic structures.
Despite these hurdles, Singh’s foreign policy legacy is marked by its forward-looking vision. Though met with resistance, his efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan and advance strategic partnerships exemplify his understanding of the intrinsic link between diplomacy and domestic development. His emphasis on using foreign policy to address poverty and spur growth reflects a nuanced approach prioritising long-term national interest over short-term political gains.
Singh’s critics often highlight the disconnect between his lofty vision and the outcomes achieved, but even governments with decisive majorities have sometimes faltered in crafting a cohesive agenda. Singh’s leadership was unique in directing India’s growing global clout to a developmental focus aimed at uplifting millions from poverty. India’s poverty rate, during his tenure, declined from 37.2% in 2004 to 21.9% in 2012, largely due to policies that facilitated foreign investments and economic growth. Paradoxically, contemporary India’s emergence as a global power has coincided with a rise in poverty—a trend that would have troubled Singh.
Singh’s tenure is a reminder that vision and determination often matter more than unrestrained authority. Despite lacking a strong political mandate, he championed transformative policies. The Indo-US nuclear deal, which he pursued with great personal risk, remains a landmark achievement of Indian foreign policy. Similarly, the groundwork he laid for the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh reflects the long-term impact of his efforts, even if they were not fully realised during his tenure.
Singh’s foreign policy vision was constrained by the democratic realities of his time, but his leadership offered India a blueprint for integrating diplomacy with development. His priorities on reducing poverty, promoting regional stability, and building global partnerships leave behind a legacy of pragmatic idealism. While progress under his leadership was incremental, his ability to articulate a transformative role for India on the world stage makes him a statesman whose ideas will continue to inform and inspire the country’s foreign policy discourse.
