Modi's Foreign Policy Stress-Test: Navigating Ukraine, Gaza, and Critical Minerals

• India's foreign policy has been tested by simultaneous crises, including Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel-Hamas war, alongside political shifts in key partners like the US.
• PM Modi's government has demonstrated crisis management capacity, protecting economic interests while maintaining independence from great-power rivalries.
• India's approach emphasizes strategic autonomy, diplomatic balance, and risk mitigation, engaging multiple partners rather than adopting bloc-oriented commitments.
• The upcoming critical minerals ministerial in Washington, where EAM Jaishankar meets Secretary Rubio, is the next test for India's diplomatic maturity.
• India seeks to secure Pax Silica membership on terms that preserve autonomy, establish mineral supply commitments, and integrate semiconductors into its industrial roadmap without subordination.

Why It Matters: Modi's foreign policy successfully navigates global crises, prioritizing India's interests through strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.