India's World Magazine - June 2026

In this issue

As Indian companies expand across continents, acquire global brands, invest abroad, and enter new markets, the relationship between business and foreign policy is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. This issue of India’s World explores the growing international footprint of Indian business and what it means for India’s economic ambitions, diplomatic practice, and geopolitical influence. In his note “From the Editor,” Happymon Jacob argues that business and foreign policy can no longer be treated as separate domains. As Indian capital moves abroad, the challenge for policymakers is not only to celebrate global success stories but also to understand how business interests intersect with national interests and geopolitical influence. The opening section, “The Argument,” features Rajat Kathuria examining the changing geography of Indian investment. While outward investment reflects the growing confidence of Indian firms, he argues that it may also reveal persistent domestic constraints that encourage capital to seek opportunities abroad. The cover story section explores how India’s diplomacy can better support business overseas, the historical roots of Indian corporate internationalisation, the future of defence exports, and the need for stronger protection of Indian commercial interests abroad. Beyond economics and geopolitics, essays on mango diplomacy, India’s emerging cheese industry, and the global journeys of jazz reveal the cultural dimensions of India’s international presence. For India, the challenge is not merely producing globally successful companies, but ensuring that economic expansion abroad strengthens the country’s broader strategic position in the world.