India’s Diplomatic Identity: From Principled Leadership to Political Performance
India’s Diplomatic Identity: From Principled Leadership to Political Performance https://rakeshinsightfulgaze.blogspot.com/2025/09/blog-post.html India once stood on the world stage with modest economic strength but immense moral authority. Its influence came not from military might or monetary leverage, but from the clarity, character, and credibility of its leadership. Guided by visionaries such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, India projected a sense of purpose that resonated well beyond its borders. These leaders understood the nuances of diplomacy. Their foreign engagements were rooted in substance, not spectacle. When Rajiv Gandhi visited world capitals, he was received not merely as a head of state but as a symbol of India's democratic promise and forward-looking agenda. Crowds welcomed him with admiration, and global leaders engaged him with respect. His travels were not about self-promotion, but strategic outreach calculated, purposeful, and always g...