The results of the general elections in India announced on June 4 reveal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a third term in office. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will need the support of its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition for a majority; the BJP itself won 240 seats, down from its previous high of 303 in the 2019 election. However, the NDA’s total of 286 seats is enough to give Modi a majority and a third consecutive victory.
After the election, Modi promised to continue with his agenda, acknowledging the voters’ “immense faith” in his governance. He pledged a “new chapter of big decisions” for India in return.
The BJP, under Modi’s leadership, aims to make India the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, implement economic reforms, and create job opportunities. Modi also seeks to strengthen India’s global leadership position among his economic goals.
In his third term, Modi plans to achieve India’s long-standing goal of permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), establish strategic alliances, address challenges posed by China, improve relations with neighboring countries, and play a significant role in world politics.
With India currently boasting an 8.5 percent GDP growth rate, the country’s ambition to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 seems within reach. Under Modi’s leadership, India has already climbed from tenth place to fifth place since 2014, reaffirming India’s potential to achieve its economic goals.
Modi emphasized that the world is looking at India with hope and stressed the need for significant changes to align with global expectations and reforms.
His third term will focus on reforms to create a “Developed India” by 2047, including market reforms, free trade agreements, digital infrastructure development, energy transition, and enhancing economic resilience against global financial challenges.
On the foreign policy front, Modi’s government will prioritize UNSC membership while exploring alternate institutions for collaboration. Collaborative efforts with like-minded countries through “minilateral” initiatives will also be a key focus.
Efforts such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) between India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, and trilateral consultations on regional security highlight India’s proactive approach to strategic partnerships in the region.
The Modi government will address security challenges along the border with China by enhancing border infrastructure and defense capabilities while strengthening strategic alliances to ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
India’s ties with the United States have flourished under Modi’s leadership, with significant progress in defense and strategic cooperation. Continued engagement with Russia and a focus on maintaining relations with immediate neighbors highlight India’s foreign policy priorities.
By hosting the G-20 Summit and aiming for increased engagement with Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, India aims to establish itself as a credible leader in the Global South, enhancing its diplomatic influence and global partnerships.
Modi’s third term is set to drive comprehensive foreign policy reforms, strengthen strategic alliances, and solidify India’s leadership on the global stage by enhancing regional security, pursuing UNSC membership, and fostering global partnerships.