NEW DELHI: In a year when diplomacy was a tightrope walk and every handshake carried the weight of history, India navigated complicated diplomatic waters amid grave regional tensions. The thawing of a long-standing border dispute with China and renewed discord with Bangladesh required deft diplomatic maneuvering across the subcontinent.
Relations with Canada remain complicated, and Prime Minister Trudeau will remain in power for at least another 10 months. Furthermore, India faced the challenge of establishing diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka’s new Marxist leadership, despite its previous anti-India stance.
India’s diplomatic efforts in 2024 have brought both successes and major hurdles. The country’s diplomatic skills were tested as it dealt with historic conflicts while adapting to evolving global relationships.
Here are some of the key moments that shaped this year’s diplomatic story.
India-Bangladesh relations are tense after the Hasina era
Sheikh Hasina’s expulsion from Bangladeshi politics in August marked a change in the dynamics of India-Bangladesh relations. The student-led movement sparked violent clashes that left more than 1,000 people dead and injured. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus then assumed leadership of the interim government.
Bangladesh experienced major social turmoil after this political transition. The arrest of spiritual preacher Chinmoy Krishna Das was controversial, while an increase in attacks on minorities led to riots and the death of a lawyer in Chattogram. India has expressed serious concerns about the safety of ethnic minorities, particularly Hindus, while Bangladesh has consistently maintained that this is an “internal issue”.
Diplomatic issues between India and Canada intensify
Relations between India and Canada have plunged to new depths following accusations that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Indian terrorist. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s suspicions about India’s involvement set off a chain reaction, including retaliatory expulsions of diplomats, suspension of visa issuances, and a cooling of trade negotiations. India recalled High Commissioner Sanjay Verma along with other diplomats.
The conflict escalated in November when pro-Khalistan supporters allegedly attacked participants at an Indian consulate event at a Hindu temple in Toronto. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Canada of failing to protect Indian nationals and institutions, but Canada stood by its position, calling it a “targeted operation” by Indian agents against Canadian citizens.
In the winter parliament, the government reiterated that Trudeau’s accusations are baseless, and no evidence has been provided by the Trudeau government to the Indian government.
US links RAW agents to assassination plot
The United States has indicted Indian national Nikhil Gupta in connection with the failed assassination attempt on Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Panun. Mr. Gupta is said to have acted on orders from senior Indian officials.
A subsequent Washington Post report implicated Vikram Yadav, a former Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operative, in orchestrating the plot. The Indian government dismissed the claims as “baseless and baseless.” Despite India’s denials, the US called for “meaningful accountability” and suggested the incident was far from over.
Iran declares India an “enemy of Islam,” MEA hits back
Relations between India and Iran faced turmoil after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei singled out India as a place where Muslims were “suffering” and called for global unity among Muslim communities. The comment was made on the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and was harshly criticized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said it contained “false information and is unacceptable.”
Diplomatic wins: Top wins of the year
India-China: long-awaited border resolution
In a major development, India and China ended their 54-month-old military standoff in eastern Ladakh in October and restored pre-2020 LAC patrolling arrangements. The decommissioning process, completed in October, restored pre-2020 patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
In addition to this agreement, the two countries explored ways to rebuild relations through cross-border cooperation, including resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and sharing data on cross-border rivers.
Qatar releases Indian navy personnel
Eight former Indian Navy personnel previously sentenced to death in Qatar have been released after intensive diplomatic efforts. The success of the resolution highlighted effective negotiations led by Indian officials, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the outcome as evidence of strengthening bilateral ties between India and Qatar.
Subsequently, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Modi discussed potential partnerships in advanced sectors.
Sri Lanka’s new president chooses India as his first overseas destination
The political landscape in Sri Lanka has changed with the presidential victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake. His leadership of the Marxist Janata Vimukti Peramuna (JVP), traditionally known for opposing Indian influence since the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord, initially raised diplomatic concerns.
Despite this, Dissanayake chose India as his first overseas destination after assuming office.
India has strengthened its influence in the region by signing a 10-year agreement with Iran for the management and development of the strategic Chabahar port. With this investment worth $370 million, India has played a key role in strengthening connectivity with Central Asia and Afghanistan. The contract marks an important milestone as India will be responsible for managing an overseas port for the first time.
Historic visits to major countries
Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts have also reached regions that are often overlooked in the narrative of India’s foreign policy. Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait in 43 years, and his visit focused on strengthening energy ties and promoting trade.
Prime Minister Modi visited Nigeria for the first time in 17 years and focused on expanding cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and defence. The visit, the first by an Indian prime minister in 56 years, aimed to deepen ties with the Indian diaspora and explore avenues for cooperation in the areas of natural resources and infrastructure.
Balancing Russia and Ukraine
Relations between India and Russia have shown new vitality, with President Vladimir Putin describing the relationship as a “special privilege”. The Prime Minister’s diplomatic expertise was evident during his unprecedented trip to Ukraine in pursuit of peace efforts amid the current conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has highlighted India’s potential diplomatic role and proposed that India host a summit to discuss ways to resolve the Russia conflict.
Improving relations with the Maldives
Relations between India and the Maldives, which experienced tensions under President Mohamed Muiz’s pro-China government, have seen positive developments.
During his first state visit to India, Muiz reassured New Delhi that his government would prioritize India’s security interests.
India extended financial assistance worth $400 million, including a bilateral currency swap agreement worth Rs 3 billion, to show support for the Maldives’ economic recovery.
Cooperation with test time: Operation Sadbabu
India’s humanitarian instincts were demonstrated through Operation Sadbabu, an initiative to deliver emergency relief supplies to Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam in the wake of Typhoon Yagi. The storm, considered the most powerful in Asia this year, caused widespread damage and displaced thousands of people.
