The Rise of Hindutva and Foreign Policy: How Domestic Politics Shapes Geopolitics

We often separate domestic politics from foreign policy, but in India, they are deeply intertwined. The current government’s foreign policy has a distinct cultural flavor. The International Day of Yoga, the building of temples abroad (like the one in UAE), and the outreach to the Indian diaspora—it’s all part of a strategy to project ‘soft power.’ Critics argue that it brings religion into diplomacy, which can alienate neighbors like Bangladesh or Pakistan who have Muslim majorities. Supporters argue that it’s about reclaiming India’s ancient civilizational identity. Personally, I think it’s a double-edged sword. It has certainly energized the diaspora in the US and UK to lobby for India’s interests. But it also makes it harder to build trust with countries where identity politics is sensitive. The reality is, India’s geopolitics will increasingly reflect the ideology of whoever is in power in Delhi.