PM Modi's global accolades: A story that India must tell better

These accolades have the potential to tell a much bigger story, one that reflects not just India's diplomatic reach but also its values, influence, and stature.

- SEMU BHATT

During his latest foreign tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received state honours from Nigeria, Dominica, Guyana, and Barbados. These conferments, significant in themselves, are also a reflection of India's enhanced stature and strengthened diplomatic ties across the world. PM Modi stands not just as the most awarded Indian Prime Minister but also one of the most laureled serving world leaders.

The impressive list of honours reflects the depth of India's diplomatic outreach, spanning from the P5 nations to the Middle East, and from its own neighbourhood to that of global powers like the United States and China. This is all the more remarkable given the complexities of navigating a shifting geopolitical landscape with ever-evolving power dynamics. The challenge is compounded by the fact that while the Indian economy is growing rapidly and climbing global ranks, it remains 4-5 times smaller than the two dominant powers, that there are 1.4 billion citizens to care for, and the internal politics and fault lines often tend to keep the nation shackled.

Special honours are often used for publicity, not analysis. However, these accolades have the potential to tell a much bigger story one that reflects not just India's diplomatic reach but also its values, influence, and stature.