View source for Asian foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Narendra Modi series|state=expanded}}
[[File:Asia map pastel de.png|thumb|right|Asian neighbours possess great deal of importance in Modi's foreign policy]]
The most significant initiative made by the Narendra Modi government is the focus on '''[[South Asia|neighbouring countries]]''' and major Asian powers coupled with emphasizing on the two decades old [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]]. Asia being the major focus area of [[Foreign policy of Narendra Modi|his foreign policy]], Modi and his foreign minister chose several Asian countries for their initial bilateral visits. He has made state visits to Bhutan and Nepal and Japan within the first 100 days of his government and also hosted Asian leaders like former Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]] of Australia, Paramount leader [[Xi Jinping]] of China and Prime Minister [[Nguyễn Tấn Dũng]] of Vietnam, apart from inviting [[SAARC]] leaders in his [[First swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi|inauguration]] ceremony. External Affairs Minister [[Sushma Swaraj]] has also made official visits to several Asian capitals like [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh, [[Kathmandu]], Nepal, [[Naypidaw]], Myanmar, [[Singapore]], [[Hanoi]], Vietnam, [[Manama]], Bahrain, [[Kabul]], Afghanistan, [[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan, [[Malé]], Maldives, [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates, [[Seoul]], South Korea and [[Beijing]] China.

==Asian Century==
{{main|Asian Century}}
Time and again Modi emphasized his belief in the 21st century being the [[Asian century]] and also asked whether it would be the [[Indian Century]]. China, Japan, India and South Korea being the first, second, third and fourth largest Asian economy respectively are among the most likely candidate to lead the strategically important Asia in the later part of this century. But China's increasingly assertive postures in the region recent years have raised concerns in the respective quarters.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/watch-out-china-why-the-asian-century-might-just-belong-13025|title=Watch Out, China: Why the 'Asian Century' Might Just Belong to India|magazine=[[The National Interest]]|date= 2 June 2015|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> It seems Modi's foreign policy is focused on improving bilateral relations to higher levels with strategically located Asian countries like Japan, Vietnam, Australia without forging any formal security alliance in the Indo-Pacific region to avoid direct confrontation with China.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/abbott-in-india-the-asian-century-wont-be-all-about-china-30657|title=Abbott in India: the Asian Century won't be all about China|work=The Conversation|date=4 September 2014|access-date=27 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpri.org/geopoliticus/2014/09/contested-border-china-india-and-asian-century|title=Contested Border: China, India, and the Asian Century|publisher=Foreign policy Research Institute|date=24 September 2014|access-date=27 September 2014}}</ref> India, due to its good relation with both Russia and United States, is often considered to be the swing state in the race for strategic dominance in Asia between the democratic alliance of Japan and US and China-Russia club on the other hand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=42520%26|title=Chinese Analysts Interpret Modi's New India|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|date=19 June 2014|access-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221238/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=42520%26|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Relations with East and Southeast Asia==
{{further|Act East policy}}
From the very beginning the Modi-led government made it amply clear that India would focus more and more on improving relation with [[ASEAN]] and other East Asian countries as per India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]] which was formulated during [[P. V. Narasimha Rao|Narasimha Rao]]'s govt in 1992 for better economic engagement with its eastern neighbours but successive govt later successfully turned it into a tool for forging strategic partnership and security cooperation with countries in that region in general and Vietnam and Japan in particular.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/89377/vietnam-among-pillars-of-india-s--look-east--policy.html |title=Vietnam among pillars of India's "Look East" policy |date=18 November 2013 |website=english.vietnamnet.vn |publisher=[[Vietnam News Agency]] |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717194521/https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/89377/vietnam-among-pillars-of-india-s--look-east--policy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In her recent visit to [[Hanoi]], Vietnam Sushma Swaraj has stressed on the need for an [[Act East policy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://firstbiz.firstpost.com/economy/modi-govt-give-greater-push-indias-look-east-policy-says-sushma-swaraj-94718.html|title=Modi govt to give greater push to India's Look East Policy, says Sushma Swaraj|work=Firstpost|date=2014-08-25|access-date=2014-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195033/http://firstbiz.firstpost.com/economy/modi-govt-give-greater-push-indias-look-east-policy-says-sushma-swaraj-94718.html|archive-date=10 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> that she said should replace India's over two decade-old [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]] emphasizing a more proactive role for India in this region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-26/news/53243802_1_india-and-asean-countries-east-asia-strategically-important-region|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829043354/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-26/news/53243802_1_india-and-asean-countries-east-asia-strategically-important-region|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2014|title=Sushma Swaraj tells Indian envoys to Act East and not just Look East|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=26 August 2014}}</ref>

===Australia===

Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]] of Australia was the first [[head of government]] to make a [[state visit]] to India in Modi government which shows the importance both side attaches to their relations. The most significant event of his tour was the signing of a civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement for supplying uranium (Australia is believed to have one-third of world's total uranium reserve) to India. The nuclear deal is a further step toward India achieving international acceptability for its nuclear programme despite not ratifying the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|nuclear non-proliferation treaty]], and follows similar agreements with the United States and France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/india-australia-nuclear-deal-idINKBN0H00MX20140905|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220103941/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-australia-nuclear-deal-idINKBN0H00MX20140905|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2015|title=India and Australia seal civil nuclear deal for uranium trade|date=2014-09-05|access-date=2014-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-story-beyond-uranium/99/|author=C Raja Mohan|title=The story beyond uranium|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=2014-09-05|access-date=2014-09-11}}</ref> The two side also agreed to enhance Maritime security cooperation in the Indo-pacific region and future joint naval exercise in the [[Indian Ocean]]. During the joint statement following the summit Australian PM Abbott referred India as a model citizen in terms of following International guidelines justifying the nuclear deal beyond the scope of NPT and called "''India the emerging democratic superpower''".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Australian-PM-in-Mumbai-calls-India-emerging-democratic-superpower/articleshow/41706781.cms|title=Australian PM in Mumbai calls India emerging democratic superpower|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 September 2014|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>
;Security cooperation 
{{Main|Quadrilateral Security Dialogue}}
In his address to the Australian parliament Modi made his apprehension public about maritime disputes and freedom of navigation in the oceans with a veiled reference of growing Chinese hegemony in the region. This has led to speculations among policy makers that Australia is re-joining the [[Exercise Malabar|Malabar naval exercise]] amid Beijing's displeasure.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/visit-of-india-pm-narendra-modi-puts-asian-nato-on-the-table/story-fnpebfcn-1227119921850 |title=Visit of India PM Narendra Modi puts Asian NATO on the table|publisher=[[The Australians]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.spf.org/media/upload/3_GMF_final.pdf|title= Japan's Democracy Diplomacy|publisher=[[German Marshall Fund]]|date=July 2014}}</ref> Australia could join the India-US-Japan grouping, which is certain to set off alarm bells in Beijing. The issue of Australia joining the quadrilateral security dialogue was believed to be discussed at the highest level during Modi's [[Canberra]] visit on 17 November 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Australia-joining-trilateral-grouping-to-feature-in-Modi-Abbott-talks/articleshow/45103604.cms|title=Australia joining trilateral grouping to feature in Modi-Abbott talks|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=11 November 2014|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> Earlier the two sides also agreed to enhance Maritime security cooperation in the Indo-pacific region and future joint naval exercise in the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/11/the-emerging-india-australia-maritime-relationship/|title=The Emerging India-Australia Maritime Relationship|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]|date=17 November 2014|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>

===China===
[[File:PM Modi and President Xi.jpg|thumb|240px|PM Modi with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during latter's State Visit to India, September 2014.]]
Prior to election Modi had expressed reservation over alleged Chinese 'expansionism' into India's frontiers as India and China locked into bitter territorial disputes over last fifty years. During his Japan trip, Modi has said eighteenth century mind-set of vistaar-vad or expansionism won’t work and vikaash-vad or peaceful development is needed for sustainable peace and tranquility in the world which was read by a portion of media as a subtle jibe on China. But he is also in favour of enhanced economic partnership with China.

Economic activity defines relation with China as it is India's biggest trading partner in goods. Soon after taking office commerce Minister [[Nirmala Sitharaman]] has already made two visits to China. The two countries have forged a mechanism called 'strategic and economic dialogue' (SED) to discuss the trade and other economic issues. Modi has publicly expressed his willingness to enhance trade and economic cooperation with China. Describing the newly found activism in bilateral relation Modi said India China relation moving "INCH (India-China) towards MILES(Millennium of Enhanced Synergy)".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/chinese-takeaway-bjps-beijing/99/|author= C Raja Mohan|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title= Chinese takeaway:BJPs Beijing |date=2014-09-10|access-date=2014-09-11}}</ref>

India sent National Security Adviser [[Ajit Doval]] as a special envoy of Prime Minister Modi to Beijing to negotiate the agenda and the schedule of the presidential visit to India which is appreciated by the top Chinese leadership who are known to be fond of diplomatic decorum.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/chinese-president-to-arrive-on-sept-17-bullet-train-trade-agreements-on-table/|title= Chinese president to arrive on sept 17 bullet train trade agreements on table |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=2014-09-10|access-date=2014-09-11}}</ref> CCP General Secretary [[Xi Jinping]], only third [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] to visit India, arrived in [[Ahmedabad]], Modi's hometown, on 17 September which coincides with Modi's birthday. China is expected to commit investment over US$100 billion in India's infrastructure projects including in [[High-speed rail in India|high speed trains]] and dedicated Chinese industrial parks to balance the huge trade deficit exists in China's favour. The two leaders had earlier met in Brazil this year on the sidelines of [[BRICS]] summit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/mr-xi-and-mr-modi-114091501333_1.html|title=Mr Xi and Mr Modi|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=15 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>

===Japan===
[[File:Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, 2014.jpg|thumb|240px|Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, during former's bilateral visit to Japan, 2014.]]
Japan occupies a very important place in Modi’s Asian strategy, as India is looking toward Japan, at a time when it is becoming 'normal state' amending decades-old pacifist constitution, to forge a security alliance to balance an increasingly assertive China in the Indo-Pacific region. Maritime cooperation is most likely and bilateral naval exercises are on the cards. Significantly in 2014 Japan participated in the [[Exercise Malabar|Malabar]], a primarily bilateral naval exercise between India and US, held in [[Sea of Japan]].  Negotiations progressed recently for selling of [[US 2]] amphibious aircraft to [[Indian Navy]] and the long-pending civil nuclear agreements which would eventually help strengthen the strategic partnership.<ref name="firstpost1">{{cite news|author=Rajeev Sharma |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/modis-equation-with-shinzo-abe-will-make-mission-japan-a-success-1567795.html |title=Modi's equation with Shinzo Abe will make Mission Japan a success |work=Firstpost |access-date=15 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/07/19/commentary/modis-upcoming-japan-visit-signals-closer-ties/#.U99rN_mSzIt |title=Modi's upcoming Japan visit signals closer ties |work=The Japan Times |date=19 July 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043939/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/07/19/commentary/modis-upcoming-japan-visit-signals-closer-ties/#.U99rN_mSzIt |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Modi visited Japan on a five-day official trip from 30 August to 3 September which was labelled as his first bilateral state visit outside the [[South Asia|subcontinent]] also by the media.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/indias-modi-maintains-warm-ties-with-japans-abe/article20336839/|title=India's Modi maintains warm ties with Japan's Abe |author=Iain Marlow |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=3 September 2014 }}</ref> His 2014 visit further strengthened the ties between the two countries and resulted in several key agreements, including the elevation of already established strategic partnership to the "Special Strategic Global Partnership".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-02/news/53479980_1_shinzo-abe-strategic-global-partnership-japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904032531/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-02/news/53479980_1_shinzo-abe-strategic-global-partnership-japan |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2014 |title=India, Japan sign key agreements; to share 'Special Strategic Global Partnership' |date=2 September 2014 |newspaper = Economic Times |author=Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury }}</ref> Business ties are stronger than ever with a commitment of US$33.5 billion Japanese investment in India in the next five year. India is in the process of importing [[Shinkansen]] technology from Japan as part of Modi’s [[Diamond Quadrilateral]] project for introducing [[high-speed rail in India]].

His visit to Kyoto supervised the signing of a cooperation agreement between [[Varanasi]] and [[Kyoto]] both regarded as heritage city and cultural centre in their respective country.

===Myanmar===

Despite sharing a long border with India, Myanmar was often left out of India's neighbourhood policy, but Myanmar was identified as India's gateway to the Southeast Asia and therefore the focus is on rebuilding the historic relations between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/modi-in-myanmar-rebuilding-the-historic-connections/99/|title=Modi in Myanmar: Rebuilding the historic connections|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Modi visited the eastern neighbour to attend a couple of multilateral meetings including the East Asia Summit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/comment-on-indiamyanmar-bilateral-ties-and-act-east-policy/article6591696.ece?homepage=true|title=Time to demonstrate an 'Act East' Policy|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> He met President [[Thein Sein]] for the first time on 11 November 2014 and they identified three 'C's to strengthen their bilateral relations, those are connectivity, cultural links and people to people contacts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-Modi-meets-Myanmar-President-U-Thein-Sein/articleshow/45112747.cms|title=PM Modi meets Myanmar President U Thein Sein|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Among which connectivity is all set to get a big boost with projects like upcoming Imphal-Mandalaya Bus service, [[Burma–India relations#India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Highway|India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway]], [[Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project]] and the two sides also focused on the need of direct air links.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/in-myanmar-narendra-modi-pushes-for-regional-connectivity/|title=PM Narendra Modi pushes for regional connectivity, increased cultural contact in Myanmar|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> The two sides also discussed the possibility of Indian investment in Myanmar's special economic zones and ways to enhance bilateral trade which stands at US$2 billion, well below the potential.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/narendra-modi-visit-for-key-summits-in-australia-fiji-myanmar/article6586121.ece|title='Fraternal' Myanmar, India for closer links|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> During a 2017 visit to [[Nay Pyi Taw]], Prime Minister Modi announced that India would offer gratis/no-cost [[Travel visa|visas]] to all Myanma citizens visiting India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-to-grant-gratis-visa-to-myanmarese-citizens-pm-narendra-modi-1746810 |quote="I am pleased to announce that we have decided to grant gratis (no-cost) visa to all the citizens of Myanmar who want to visit India," Prime Minister Modi said. |publisher=[[NDTV]] |title=India To Grant Gratis Visa To Myanmarese Citizens: PM Narendra Modi |author=[[Press Trust of India]] |date=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-to-grant-free-visa-to-myanmar-citizens-modi/article19630531.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=India to grant free visa to Myanmar citizens: Modi |date=6 September 2017}}</ref>

Modi met the Nobel laureate and Myanmar's [[National League for Democracy|opposition]] leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] and referred her as "symbol of democracy" for her untiring efforts for the restoration of democracy in her country and he presented her with a special copy of Mahatma Gandhi's commentary on Bhagwad Gita.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-my-second-home-myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-tells-prime-minister-narendra-modi/articleshow/45124855.cms|title='India my second home', Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi tells Prime Minister Narendra Modi|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Suu Kyi also reciprocated by calling India, her "second home" recalling her early days spent in India. The two leaders have discussed the importance of democracy for the stability of the region as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/india-is-my-second-home-pro-democracy-icon-aung-san-suu-kyi-tells-pm-modi-620102?pfrom=home-topstories|title='India is My Second Home': Pro-Democracy Icon Aung San Suu Kyi Tells PM Modi|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=12 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref>

In contrast to much of the international community, Prime Minister Modi declined to criticize Suu Kyi's handling of the [[2016–17 Northern Rakhine State clashes]] or Myanmar's government's treatment of its [[Rohingya people]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170907/jsp/frontpage/story_171295.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020046/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170907/jsp/frontpage/story_171295.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2017 |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |title=Modi stands by Suu Kyi |first=Charu Sudan |last=Kasturi |date=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/06/asia/modi-india-myanmar-rohingya/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |title=Indian Prime Minister blames Rohingya violence on extremists |first=Huizhong |last=Wu |date=7 September 2017}}</ref>

===Singapore===
[[File:PM Modi in a meeting with Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Singapore's Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]] with Modi.]]
Singapore is amongst the top source countries of foreign direct investment (FDI) coming to India. Economic cooperation dominates the India–Singapore relations given Singapore's strategic importance in India's 'Look East' policy. External Affairs Minister Swaraj visited Singapore on 16 August where she held talks with her counterpart Shanmugam and Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]] regarding Singapore's investment in India and their potential role in Modi's pet [[smart city]] project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-singapore-to-help-india-in-smart-cities-project-after-sushma-swaraj-s-visit-2011250|title=Report: Singapore to Help India in smart city Project After Sushma Swaraj's Visit|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=16 August 2014|access-date=19 August 2014}}</ref>

Earlier Modi played host to Singaporean Minister for Foreign and Law [[K. Shanmugam]] where he recalled his policies as Gujarat chief minister to expand cooperation between the two countries in, amongst others, public housing for the middle and lower classes based on Singapore's expertise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.niticentral.com/2014/07/12/narendra-modi-singapore-and-low-cost-housing-233173.html |title=Narendra Modi, Singapore, and low-cost housing |publisher=Niticentral.com |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810034222/http://www.niticentral.com/2014/07/12/narendra-modi-singapore-and-low-cost-housing-233173.html |archive-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The former Singaporean prime minister, [[Goh Chok Tong]], visited India on 10 September and held several high-level meetings with the Indian prime minister and other ministers; later in conversation with a selected members from the media he referred to the former Indian prime minister, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpeyee]], as a scholar, but Modi is a "Man of Action", while  reassuring once again his country's full cooperation on the smart city project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vajpayee-a-scholar-modi-man-of-action-former-singapore-pm/article6397990.ece?homepage=true|title=Vajpayee a scholar Modi man of action former Singapore PM |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2014-09-10|access-date=2014-09-11}}</ref>

===Republic of Korea===
[[File:President Park Geun-hye poses for a photo with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to the Korea-India summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.jpg|thumb|President Park Geun-hye poses for a photo with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to the Korea-India summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar]]
According to Modi, South Korea features prominently in India's ''Act East'' policy where it can play an important role both in term of economic and strategic partnership. Modi visited South Korea as part of his East Asia tour on 18–19 May 2015 at the invitation of President [[Park Geun-hye]]. The two leaders previously met in [[Nay Pyi Taw]], Myanmar at the sidelines of [[East Asia Summit]] in November 2014. Modi's visit came after a series of high-profile ministerial visits including Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and Commerce Minister from India to Seoul which demonstrates the depth of India-South Korea strategic relations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/to-gain-strategic-benefits-pm-narendra-modi-must-strike-up-friendship-with-president-park-gyeun-hye/|title=To gain strategic benefits, PM Narendra Modi must strike up friendship with President Park Gyeun-hye|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=8 May 2015|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> During Modi's visit the two sides agreed to upgrade their relation to "special strategic relations" and also re-energized the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) signed five years ago. Modi also stressed on the need of South Korean defense majors investing in India as per [[Make In India]] initiative where he particularly impressed by Korean shipbuilding capacity.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/donaldkirk/2015/05/19/great-game-for-asia-indias-modi-looks-to-korea-for-defense-needs-after-visiting-rival-china/|title='Great Game' For Asia: India's Modi Looks To Korea For Defense Needs After Visiting Arch Rival China|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=19 May 2015|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
As Modi has identified economic cooperation as a major thrust area in his foreign policy and introduced policies like [[Make in India]] to invite foreign direct investment (FDI) in the manufacturing sector, Taiwan was one of the first to respond to his call. India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Taipei Computer Association signed memorandum of understanding for local manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics, even there are plans to set up 'Taiwanese hardware park' in about 200–300 acres of land.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/electronics/india-taiwan-sign-agreement-for-manufacturing/articleshow/42248427.cms|title=India, Taiwan sign agreement for manufacturing|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=11 September 2014|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> Although India was among the first few countries to recognize [[People's Republic of China|PRC]] therefore jeopardizing relation with the island but later developed an official relation with [[Republic of China|ROC]] which it maintains through India-Taipei Association [http://www.india.org.tw ITA] a [[De facto embassy]] in Taipei.<ref name="CC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.c3sindia.org/taiwan/98/taiwan-india-new-friends/ |title=Taiwan-India: New Friends? |access-date=4 November 2014 |archive-date=30 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730063812/http://www.c3sindia.org/taiwan/98/taiwan-india-new-friends/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Vietnam===

Vietnam, strategically located in the South China Sea, plays a pivotal role in India's Southeast Asian policy and it is often referred as one of the important pillars of its "Look East policy" by the Indian diplomats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/89377/vietnam-among-pillars-of-india-s--look-east--policy.html |title=Vietnam among pillars of India's "Look East" policy |date=18 November 2013 |website=english.vietnamnet.vn |publisher=[[Vietnam News Agency]] |access-date=16 September 2014 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717194521/https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/89377/vietnam-among-pillars-of-india-s--look-east--policy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Defence and security cooperation in recent years define the strategic partnership along with fast-growing bilateral trade which stood at US$8 billion in FY 2013.

Visiting Indian [[President of India|President]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]] called Vietnam, "a trusted friend and an important pillar of India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look East Policy]]" which emphasized the depth of their strategic partnership. The leaders reiterated their desire and determination to work together to maintain peace, stability, growth and prosperity in Asia.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pranab-mukherjee-in-vietnam-modis-asian-power-play/99/|author=C Raja Mohan|title=Pranab Mukherjee in Vietnam: Modi's Asian Power Play|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=15 September 2014|access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref> The two sides vouched for 'freedom of navigation' in the [[South China Sea]], which China claims as its exclusive economic zone, and called upon the parties concerned to exercise restraint, avoid threat or use of force and resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]]-1982.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-vietnam-ink-7-pacts-call-for-freedom-of-navigation/articleshow/42524420.cms |title=India, Vietnam ink 7 pacts; call for 'freedom' of navigation|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=15 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref>

India-Vietnamese defence cooperation has multiplied in recent years with emphasis on maritime security which includes training of Vietnamese naval personnel with [[List of active Indian Navy ships|Indian naval ships]] making frequent port-call in Vietnam in past few years. Recently it extended a US$100 m Line of Credit for purchase of [[Fast attack craft]] for Vietnamese navy from India. Vietnam is also interested in acquiring [[BrahMos]] supersonic missiles, an Indo-Russian joint venture project, Vietnam has friendly relation with both Russia and India a precondition for exporting the missile system and talks regarding the deal is believed to be in the advanced level.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://thediplomat.com/2014/09/india-vietnam-hypersonic-missile-talks-in-advanced-stage/|title=India-Vietnam Hypersonic Missile Talks in 'Advanced Stage'|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]|date=15 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref>

Agreements have been signed in oil exploration cooperation field between the two countries as Vietnam had earlier offered India to explore strategically located oil blocks in [[South China Sea]], which is disputed by Chinese claims. On the following day Chinese Foreign Ministry through an official media statement expressed its objection to India's activity in what it refers its exclusive economic zone. External Affairs Minister earlier during her Hanoi trip said the state-owned [[ONGC Videsh]] will exploit the opportunity provided in Vietnam, a development China sees as an aggression into its backyard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sushma-Swaraj-in-Hanoi-India-examining-Vietnams-South-China-Sea-oil-blocks-offer/articleshow/40870356.cms|title=Sushma Swaraj in Hanoi, India examining Vietnam's South China Sea oil blocks offer|website=[[The Times of India]] |date= 2014-08-25|access-date=2014-09-10}}</ref> Economic ties are fast growing with US$8 billion bilateral trade and the two sides emphasized the need of increasing people to people contact which is set to get a boost with upcoming launch of direct flight between Delhi and [[Ho Chi Minh City]] and using [[Bollywood]] to promote Vietnam to Indian audience.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-keen-on-strong-economic-ties-with-vietnam-pranab-mukherjee/articleshow/42538290.cms|title=India keen on strong economic ties with Vietnam: Pranab Mukherjee|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=15 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government]]
* [[Middle Eastern foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government]]
* [[De-hyphenation]]
* [[List of international prime ministerial trips made by Narendra Modi]]
* [[Sushma Swaraj as Minister of External Affairs]]

==Notes==
<sup>{{note|1|[Note I]}}</sup> In 2002, [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] had visited Nepal but for the [[List of SAARC summits#Eleventh summit|11th SAARC summit]] held at [[Kathmandu]].<ref name="First">{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/narendra-modi-first-foreign-leader-to-address-nepal-parliament-39660.html | title=Narendra Modi first foreign leader to address Nepal parliament | publisher=[[India TV]]| date=26 July 2014 | access-date=28 July 2014}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Narendra Modi}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}

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[[Category:Foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:Foreign policy of the Narendra Modi administration]]