India’s Narendra Modi to be sworn in for second five-year term on Thursday
Narendra Modi is today set to take his oath of office for his second term as India’s Prime Minister. His Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will look to continue the foreign policy gains made during his first term, during which India expanded its role as a leading player in the global system. This was, however, somewhat sullied regionally, with an ongoing diplomatic dispute with Pakistan.
In the final vote count announced on May 24, the BJP won 303 of the 573 seats in the lower house of Parliament. Heading into the second half of 2019, Mr Modi’s administration will look to deal with a challenging foreign policy landscape, including tense relations with Pakistan. An opportunity knocks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to be held on June 13 and 14, as both PM Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will be present.
Over the next 5 years, the Modi administration will be keen to make further progress in combatting the rise of China as the region’s main power, as the Belt and Road Initiative continues to take shape. Indeed, defining India’s place in the network will be imperative.
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