Former Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to international relations, describing it as a “Swadeshi foreign policy” that has altered the tone and disposition of U.S. President Donald Trump on issues of tariffs and trade barriers.

Speaking in Goa’s Mapusa, Akbar argued that this transformation in Trump’s messaging was not coincidental but a direct consequence of Modi’s refusal to allow India to be “bullied” in trade and geopolitical negotiations.

He highlighted how New Delhi’s assertive stance, rooted in national self-confidence, conveyed a clear message to Washington that confrontation and coercive measures would not subdue India.

In this context, Akbar emphasised that Indian nationalism is often underestimated abroad, yet it has proven to be a decisive factor in shaping the strategic dialogue between the two democracies. By presenting India as a mature but unyielding partner, Modi’s diplomatic posture has created conditions for Washington to reconsider its rhetoric and adopt a more cooperative tone.

Akbar underscored the influential role played by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, describing him as the Prime Minister’s “global crisis manager.” He noted that India’s diplomatic machinery under Doval functions largely out of public view, with negotiations and sensitive talks taking place discreetly rather than through the lens of media spectacle.

According to Akbar, this quiet and calculated approach has rendered significant results, as India maintains firm lines in negotiations but avoids public provocation. This mode of diplomacy, he argued, has projected India as a dignified actor capable of resolving differences with both superpowers like the United States and key strategic partners such as Russia.

He cited Doval’s meetings earlier in the year with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and later with Russian President Vladimir Putin, conducted against the backdrop of Washington’s punitive tariffs linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, as examples of India’s layered diplomatic engagements to balance competing pressures.

At the core of these shifts lies the increasingly central theme that India and the United States are “natural partners,” a description consistently shared by Modi in his official statements. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister reinforced this view, expressing optimism that the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries would “unlock the limitless potential” of their partnership.

Modi stressed his confidence in the progress of ongoing discussions, noting that teams from both sides are dedicated to concluding talks swiftly. Additionally, he emphasised his eagerness to engage in direct dialogue with Trump in the coming weeks, an invitation Trump has publicly reciprocated.

The U.S. President, who only weeks earlier had employed harsh language regarding tariffs and Indian trade practices, has more recently described the bilateral relationship as a “very special” one, remarking that he and Modi share an enduring personal friendship and reassuring stakeholders that “there is nothing to worry about.”

The context for these developments rests in intensifying economic tensions as Washington imposed tariffs amounting to a cumulative 75 per cent on Indian imports. The initial 50 per cent tariff targeted a wide range of Indian products, with a further 25 per cent penalty levied due to India’s sustained imports of discounted Russian oil.

Washington has argued that India’s Russian crude purchases inadvertently provide financial lifelines for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, but New Delhi has defended its policy as a matter of strategic autonomy and national energy security.

Modi’s Swadeshi-inspired policy has thus sought to insulate India’s core interests from external coercion while openly affirming international friendships. This dual commitment – safeguarding sovereign choices while strengthening partnerships – has resonated with domestic audiences and enhanced India’s reputation as a resilient strategic actor globally.

Akbar further underlined that the recent exchanges between Modi and Trump on social media platforms such as X and Truth Social have helped ease tensions, making clear that public communication also serves as an arena to rebuild trust.

Both leaders have reaffirmed their upcoming meeting, framing it as an opportunity to chart the next chapter of India-U.S. cooperation amid wider turbulence in global trade. For India, the narrative put forward by Akbar reflects a broader conviction that diplomacy intertwined with nationalism and self-reliance does not isolate the country but instead reinforces its credibility as a confident and equal stakeholder.

The effectiveness of Modi’s foreign policy, Akbar suggested, is demonstrated not only in Trump’s changed tone but also in international acknowledgment that India will not concede sovereignty under pressure, choosing instead to negotiate aligned to its own terms and long-term vision.

This balance of strength with pragmatism, coupled with the quiet but impactful role of NSA Doval, provides what Akbar calls powerful evidence of India’s evolving stature on the world stage.

Based On ANI Report