NEW DELHI: India’s leading newspaper The Hindu has described 2025 as a year of diplomatic setbacks for the country, stating that expectations associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy failed to materialize.
The Hindu in its analytical report said regarding India’s foreign relations policy in 2025 that it did not deliver on its goals, thus labeling the year as one of non-fulfillment of diplomatic promises. The daily remarked that symbolic diplomacy, interpersonal rapport, and branding could not replace the real power of economic, military and diplomatic nature.
According to the report, India made commitments to both itself and its international partners without possessing the necessary influence or leverage to implement them. Relations with the United States were described as particularly challenging, with 2025 termed one of the most difficult years for India-US ties this century.
The Hindu highlighted issues such as a 25 percent US tariff, additional restrictions on Russian oil, and curbs on H-1B visas as evidence that India’s partnership with Washington remains conditional and interest-driven. It added that compared to 2017, India’s role in the 2025 US National Security Strategy has been significantly reduced.
The report further stated that despite high-level engagements with China and Russia, no tangible security progress was achieved along the Line of Actual Control, while investment barriers persisted. It noted that India was compelled to retreat from its stance on Russian oil under US pressure.
Describing the Pahalgam incident as a serious security failure, The Hindu acknowledged that India’s military actions following the attack did not receive global diplomatic support. The newspaper also observed that silence over aircraft losses after “Operation Sindoor” damaged India’s credibility.
The report pointed to the announcement of a Saudi Arabia–Pakistan defense agreement as another setback for India, adding that Indian analysts are increasingly viewing Pakistan’s leadership as disciplined and strategically capable.
The Hindu also acknowledged that India-Bangladesh relations have reached their most strained level to date. It warned that India risks shifting from a “Vishwaguru” (global leader) narrative toward a “Vishwa Victim” posture.
Concluding its analysis, the newspaper stated that India’s tendency to blame others remains the biggest obstacle to reform and realistic policymaking.
Analysts said the report openly exposes weaknesses in India’s diplomacy, emphasizing that optics-driven foreign policy cannot deliver practical outcomes. They added that the assessment supports the view that India is no longer an indispensable strategic partner for the United States and that its deterrence narrative has failed to convince the international community.
