# Carnegie study says Modi’s populism reshapes India foreign policy 2026-08-22T23:46:13+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A new paper from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace argues that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing populism has reshaped the processes of Indian foreign policy, though its effects vary by issue. The study, part of a series on populism and middle-power diplomacy, finds that where foreign policy issues resonate with domestically powerful identity narratives, such as with Pakistan, mobilization and personalization have driven escalation. Where such narratives are weaker or power asymmetries greater, as with China, populism has been restrained, producing less dramatic change. The paper describes Modi as a prototypical populist leader who has styled himself as an outsider to the corrupt political establishment. It notes that the BJP's 'thick' ideology of Hindu nationalism defines India's 'true people' as the Hindu majority, excluding religious and ethnic minorities. The study identifies two key mechanisms: continuous domestic political mobilization and the personalization of decision-making. It argues that populist leaders blur boundaries between domestic politics and international affairs, reshaping how foreign policy is made and justified. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Carnegie analysis provides an external framework for understanding shifts observers have noted in India's bilateral relationships. Under previous governments, India's approach to Pakistan was often reactive and crisis-driven, but the Modi era has seen a more assertive, domestically-charged posture. The paper's distinction between the Pakistan and China tracks is crucial: it suggests populist impulses are tempered by realpolitik when the adversary is stronger. This mirrors a broader trend among populist middle powers that mix nationalist posturing with pragmatic ties abroad. Readers should watch whether India's next moves on cross-border issues continue to track the domestic political calendar, especially with state elections approaching. ## Coverage - carnegieendowment.org Academic analysis framing populism as reshaping foreign policy processes, not taking a partisan stance. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: BJP, Carnegie Endowment, China, Hindutva, Narendra Modi, Pakistan Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/carnegie-study-says-modis-populism-reshapes-india-foreign-policy/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/carnegie-study-says-modis-populism-reshapes-india-foreign-policy/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/