New Delhi: True to his style and mettle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a global diplomatic mission, embracing Bhutan, Brazil, Japan, the US, Myanmar, Nepal and Australia. Visiting seven countries in 6 months sets a hectic pace, signalling improved bilateral ties and trade.
Diplomatic balancing of power blocs and trade blocs is the key to Modi diplomacy: His visit to China is finely juxtapose with Japan and Australia. He precisely balances the East with the West, and the North with the South. In his first foreign visit, Modi will take up strengthening economic ties with the Himalayan king Bhutan.
Modi is scheduled to visit Brazil in July to attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa or BRICS summit. In the same month, he will be visiting Japan to hold bilateral talks with Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. The dates are being worked out by both countries.
In September, he will be visiting the US for summit-level talks with President Barack Obama. In the US, he will also be going to New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting.
Modi is then expected to visit Myanmar to take part in the East Asian summit, during which time the Asean-India summit will also take place. The East Asia summit will take place in October.
Around the same time, the IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Summit will also take place, which will be hosted by Brazil this year.
This will be closely followed by the prime minister’s visit to Brisbane, Australia for the G-20 summit. In the same month, he might also visit Kathmandu to attend the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit.
