## Introduction

Since assuming office in 2019, Dr. S. Jaishankar has been a prominent figure in Indian diplomacy, known for his sharp intellect and ability to articulate India’s foreign policy objectives with clarity and conviction. He has often presented a strong defense of India’s independent foreign policy, particularly regarding its relations with countries like Russia and China. However, as we move into 2025, a critical evaluation of his tenure reveals a more complex narrative. The question remains: has Jaishankar’s assertive approach truly translated into tangible benefits for India, or has it merely masked underlying weaknesses and strategic miscalculations? Is the perception of success carefully crafted public image, or is it grounded in verifiable achievements? India’s foreign policy challenges are immense, ranging from navigating the increasingly assertive China to managing relationships with a West often at odds with India’s strategic autonomy. Assessing Jaishankar’s impact requires a detailed examination of these specific challenges and his responses to them. Did his actions strengthen India’s geopolitical standing, promote economic growth, and enhance its global influence? Or did they lead to missed opportunities, strained relationships, and a weakening of India’s long-term strategic interests? This article critically analyzes Jaishankar’s performance, exploring the nuances and complexities of his tenure as Minister of External Affairs. It aims to provide a balanced assessment, considering both his strengths and weaknesses, to determine whether he has ultimately been a successful steward of India’s foreign policy, or if a different approach might have yielded better results.

## The China Challenge: A Defensive Stance?

India’s relationship with China remains its most significant foreign policy challenge. Under Jaishankar’s leadership, the response to China’s increasing assertiveness, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has been largely defensive. While he has consistently voiced India’s concerns and maintained a firm stance on territorial integrity, the core issue of Chinese encroachment remains unresolved. The Galwan Valley clash in 2020 marked a turning point, exposing vulnerabilities in India’s border infrastructure and military preparedness. Although diplomatic and military talks have continued, they have yielded limited results, with China maintaining its presence in disputed areas. A more proactive approach might have involved strengthening strategic alliances with countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia to create a stronger deterrent against Chinese aggression. While Jaishankar has engaged in dialogues with these nations, the extent of practical cooperation remains limited. Critics argue that India’s response has been reactive rather than proactive, focusing on managing the crisis rather than preventing it. A more effective strategy would involve a multi-pronged approach: accelerating infrastructure development along the border, bolstering military capabilities, and actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to build a broader coalition against Chinese expansionism. Furthermore, India could leverage its economic strengths to reduce its dependence on Chinese imports and promote domestic manufacturing. In 2025, India’s trade deficit with China continues to be a major concern, highlighting the need for a more robust economic strategy. Failing to address this imbalance undermines India’s economic security and limits its ability to assert its interests in the region.

Actionable Tips:
* **Strengthen Border Infrastructure:** Accelerate the construction of roads, bridges, and communication networks along the LAC.
* **Enhance Military Capabilities:** Invest in modernizing the armed forces and improving surveillance capabilities.
* **Diversify Economic Partnerships:** Reduce dependence on Chinese imports and promote domestic manufacturing.
* **Forge Strategic Alliances:** Deepen cooperation with like-minded nations to create a stronger deterrent against Chinese aggression.

Expert Insight: “India needs to move beyond a purely defensive posture and adopt a more assertive strategy that combines military strength, economic resilience, and diplomatic engagement to effectively counter China’s growing influence,” says Dr. Meena Singh, a foreign policy analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

## The Russia Dilemma: Moral Ambiguity or Pragmatic Realism?

India’s continued relationship with Russia, particularly in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has drawn considerable criticism. Jaishankar has defended India’s position by emphasizing its long-standing strategic partnership with Russia and its need for Russian arms and energy. However, this stance has been interpreted by some as moral ambiguity, undermining India’s credibility as a responsible global player. While it is true that India relies on Russia for a significant portion of its defense equipment, the failure to unequivocally condemn Russia’s actions has raised questions about its commitment to international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. A more balanced approach would involve diversifying its defense procurement sources, reducing its dependence on Russia, and using its diplomatic leverage to encourage a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Furthermore, India could play a more active role in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and supporting international efforts to investigate war crimes. Maintaining close ties with Russia while also upholding international norms requires a delicate balancing act, but India’s current approach appears to prioritize short-term pragmatism over long-term strategic interests. This could have negative consequences for its relationships with Western democracies and its ability to play a leading role in shaping the global order. As of 2025, the pressure on India to reassess its relationship with Russia is only likely to increase, requiring a more nuanced and principled approach.

Actionable Tips:
* **Diversify Defense Procurement:** Explore alternative sources for defense equipment to reduce dependence on Russia.
* **Promote Peaceful Resolution:** Use diplomatic channels to encourage a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
* **Provide Humanitarian Assistance:** Support international efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
* **Uphold International Norms:** Reaffirm commitment to international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Expert Insight: “India’s continued reliance on Russia undermines its credibility as a responsible global player and could damage its relationships with Western democracies,” argues Professor Rajesh Sharma, a specialist in international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

## The Western Tightrope: Balancing Act or Missed Opportunities?

Under Jaishankar, India has attempted to navigate the complex relationship with the West, particularly the United States and Europe, while maintaining its strategic autonomy. While he has successfully engaged in dialogues and partnerships with these countries, there are concerns that India has missed opportunities to deepen cooperation and secure tangible benefits. The Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at countering China’s growing influence, presents a significant opportunity for collaboration with the United States and its allies. However, India’s reluctance to fully commit to the strategy, due to concerns about compromising its non-alignment policy, has limited the scope of cooperation. Similarly, while India has engaged in trade negotiations with the European Union, progress has been slow, and a comprehensive trade agreement remains elusive. A more proactive approach would involve embracing the Indo-Pacific strategy more fully, strengthening defense cooperation with the United States and its allies, and actively pursuing trade agreements with the European Union and other Western nations. This would not only enhance India’s economic and security interests but also strengthen its position as a leading global power. The challenge lies in balancing its strategic autonomy with the need for deeper engagement with the West. Failing to strike this balance could leave India isolated and unable to effectively address the challenges posed by China and other global threats. By 2025, the geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly complex, requiring India to make difficult choices about its alignment and partnerships.

Actionable Tips:
* **Embrace the Indo-Pacific Strategy:** Deepen cooperation with the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
* **Strengthen Defense Cooperation:** Enhance military partnerships with Western nations to improve security.
* **Pursue Trade Agreements:** Actively negotiate trade agreements with the European Union and other Western nations.
* **Balance Strategic Autonomy:** Maintain strategic autonomy while deepening engagement with the West.

Expert Insight: “India needs to strike a better balance between its strategic autonomy and the need for deeper engagement with the West to effectively address the challenges posed by China and other global threats,” says Ambassador Priya Verma, a former Indian diplomat.

## Multilateralism Under Strain: Reform or Retreat?

Jaishankar has been a vocal advocate for reforming multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to reflect the changing global order. However, progress on this front has been slow, and India’s efforts to secure a permanent seat on the Security Council have been repeatedly blocked. While it is important to push for reforms, India also needs to actively engage in existing multilateral frameworks and work with other countries to address global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics. A more effective strategy would involve building coalitions with other like-minded nations to promote specific reforms, leveraging its economic and political influence to advocate for its interests, and actively participating in multilateral initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to global governance. Furthermore, India could focus on strengthening regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to promote regional cooperation and integration. Failing to engage effectively in multilateralism could leave India marginalized and unable to shape the global agenda. As of 2025, the need for a reformed and effective multilateral system is more urgent than ever, requiring India to play a more proactive and constructive role.

Actionable Tips:
* **Build Coalitions:** Form alliances with like-minded nations to promote specific reforms in multilateral institutions.
* **Leverage Influence:** Use economic and political influence to advocate for India’s interests in global forums.
* **Participate in Initiatives:** Actively engage in multilateral initiatives to demonstrate commitment to global governance.
* **Strengthen Regional Organizations:** Promote regional cooperation and integration through SAARC and BIMSTEC.

Expert Insight: “India needs to play a more proactive and constructive role in multilateralism to shape the global agenda and address pressing global challenges,” argues Dr. Arjun Patel, a specialist in international organizations at the Observer Research Foundation.

## Economic Diplomacy: Promise Unfulfilled?

While Jaishankar has emphasized the importance of economic diplomacy, its impact on India’s economic growth and development has been limited. Despite efforts to promote trade and investment, India’s exports have not grown as rapidly as expected, and its share of global trade remains relatively small. A more effective strategy would involve actively pursuing trade agreements with key partners, reducing trade barriers, and promoting foreign investment in strategic sectors. Furthermore, India could leverage its soft power to promote its economic interests and attract tourists and investors. This requires a concerted effort to improve its business environment, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and enhance its infrastructure. Failing to capitalize on its economic potential could limit India’s ability to achieve its development goals and strengthen its global influence. By 2025, the global economy is becoming increasingly competitive, requiring India to adopt a more proactive and strategic approach to economic diplomacy.

Actionable Tips:
* **Pursue Trade Agreements:** Actively negotiate trade agreements with key partners to boost trade and investment.
* **Reduce Trade Barriers:** Simplify trade procedures and reduce tariffs to promote exports.
* **Promote Foreign Investment:** Attract foreign investment in strategic sectors to drive economic growth.
* **Improve Business Environment:** Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance infrastructure to attract investors.

Expert Insight: “India needs to adopt a more proactive and strategic approach to economic diplomacy to capitalize on its economic potential and achieve its development goals,” says Professor Lakshmi Iyer, an expert in international economics at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

## Conclusion

Evaluating S. Jaishankar’s tenure as Minister of External Affairs reveals a mixed bag of achievements and shortcomings. While his articulate defense of India’s interests and diplomatic maneuvering have garnered attention, a closer examination reveals underlying weaknesses and missed opportunities. The China challenge remains unresolved, India’s relationship with Russia continues to draw criticism, and its engagement with the West has been limited by concerns about strategic autonomy. Furthermore, progress on multilateralism and economic diplomacy has been slow. As India navigates an increasingly complex and uncertain world, it needs a more proactive and strategic foreign policy that combines military strength, economic resilience, and diplomatic engagement. This requires a reassessment of its relationships with key nations, a deeper commitment to multilateralism, and a more effective approach to economic diplomacy. The choices India makes in the coming years will have a profound impact on its future and its role in the world. While Jaishankar’s contributions cannot be dismissed, a more critical and nuanced approach is needed to address the challenges that lie ahead. Only then can India truly realize its potential as a leading global power. The world in 2025 demands agile, bold, and innovative diplomacy, and it remains to be seen whether India’s foreign policy under the current leadership is truly up to the task.