India’s foreign policy faced notable challenges in 2025, with a leading Indian daily describing the year as one marked by unmet promises and diplomatic setbacks.
According to a report published by The Hindu, New Delhi’s reliance on symbolic diplomacy, high-profile meetings and narrative-building failed to deliver tangible outcomes. The paper argued that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi projected ambitious foreign policy goals, India often lacked the economic, military and diplomatic leverage required to fulfil those commitments, both domestically and with international partners.
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The report pointed to strained ties with the United States as a key concern. It described 2025 as the most difficult year in US-India relations in decades, citing the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs, additional sanctions related to Russian oil purchases and tighter H-1B visa restrictions. The United States was also said to have reduced India’s strategic importance in its national security framework compared with earlier years, underscoring New Delhi’s limited influence in Washington.
Relations with China and Russia also failed to yield meaningful progress, despite several high-level engagements. The report noted the absence of concrete security improvements along the Line of Actual Control with China, while investment-related hurdles with both countries persisted. Under pressure from the US, India was also compelled to soften its position on importing Russian oil.
On the security front, The Hindu referred to the Pulwama attack as a significant failure, arguing that India’s subsequent military actions did not attract sustained international diplomatic support. It added that reported aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor harmed India’s image, while a new defence agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan further complicated New Delhi’s regional standing.
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The report also highlighted deteriorating relations with Bangladesh and warned that India’s ambition to position itself as a global leader risked giving way to a narrative of grievance. Overall, the paper concluded that India’s diplomacy in 2025 relied too heavily on optics and requires a shift towards practical, outcome-oriented engagement.