Kutty and Ludwig III, in their article “Nonresident Prime Ministers? Measuring India’s Foreign Policy Orientation via Leadership Travel,” published in International Studies Quarterly, Volume 69, Issue 1, March 2025, explore India’s foreign policy orientation by analyzing the overseas travel patterns of the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister from 1992 to 2019. Through a thorough examination of 226 visits by Prime Ministers and 354 visits by External Affairs Ministers, the study challenges existing narratives about India’s foreign policy.
The authors seek to understand the primary drivers behind India’s diplomatic approach, examining whether it is influenced more by strategic interests, principled actions, domestic politics, or routine diplomatic practices. The research indicates that strategic interests predominantly shape India’s high-level diplomatic engagement. Senior Indian officials consistently prioritize significant export markets, advanced industrialized countries, and both emerging and established global powers. This study challenges the idea that Indian foreign policy lacks coherence, suggesting instead that there is a consistent approach across different governmental administrations that focuses on national strategic objectives. Additionally, the research contests the belief that diplomatic visits are merely habitual, arguing that these trips are intentional and purposeful.
The paper’s most intriguing finding is India’s complex relationship with the existing international order. India’s engagement with the outside world is nuanced, reflecting its desire for strategic autonomy rather than a complete rejection of the current international system. While India benefits from this system, it also aims to modify certain aspects of it. The travel patterns reveal that India is neither strictly a status quo power nor entirely a revisionist one. Instead, the country demonstrates a balanced approach—deriving benefits from the existing order while advocating for reforms that better represent the interests of developing nations.
This indicates that Western partners may have overestimated India’s alignment with their values and underestimated its independent strategic thinking. The study offers valuable insights into India’s diplomatic strategy, showcasing its capacity to navigate complex international relationships while preserving its strategic autonomy.
