Modi made his first foreign visit to Bhutan following an invitation by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Tobgay. The visit was called by the media as a "charm offensive" that would also seek to check Bhutan-China relations that had recently been formalised.[1] He also sought to build business ties,[2] including a hydro-electric deal, and inaugurated the India-funded Supreme Court of Bhutan building.[3] While talking about the visit, Modi said that Bhutan was a "natural choice" for his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship" the two countries shared. He added that he was looking forward to nurture and further strengthen India's special relations with Bhutan. His entourage included Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.[4] He was further set to discuss the insurgency in Northeast India, and China.[5]
In July 2014, he visited Brazil for his first multilateral visit, the 6th BRICS summit was held at the north-eastern beach city of Fortaleza.[6] In the Fortaleza summit the group have agreed to establish a financial institution rivaling the western dominated World Bank and IMF, The bank would be named the New Development Bank as suggested by the Indian side but Modi govt. failed to bag the bank's headquarter for New Delhi, which would be located in Shanghai, China. Later the BRICS leader also attended an event in Brasilia where they met the UNASUR heads of government. At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs added Spanish to its list of available languages, which the Hindustan Times read as "indicative of the government's intent to go beyond Europe, Asia and the US to forge diplomatic and trade ties with Latin American nations."[7] He travelled there via Germany.[8]
Modi arrived for a two-day visit to Nepal on 3 August. The last visit of an Indian prime minister to Nepal was 17 years ago in 1997 by I. K. Gujral.[9][Note I] The talks with Nepal were focused on reviewing the 1950's Treaty of Peace and Friendship, India-funded hydroelectricity projects in Nepal and other infrastructure projects in Nepal.[10] Following Jana Andolan, that marked the beginning of constitutional democracy in 1990, Modi became the first foreign leader to address the Parliament of Nepal.[11][12] The Western media read it as a shift in foreign affairs for India,[13] as well as a Nepal policy shift.[14] He did puja at the fifth century HinduPashupatinath temple (where he donated Rs. 25 crores and the head priest, Mool Bhatta Ganesh Bhatta, said: "I told him that we see him as a mascot for Hinduism, and appreciate his efforts in saving Hindu culture").[15] Further he pledged not to interfere in Nepal's internal affairs (following controversy of appointment of Indian priests at a Nepali temple[16]), Modi announced a credit assistance programme of US$1 billion to Nepal and said "Nepal can free India of its darkness with its electricity. But [sic] we don't want free electricity, we want to buy it. Just by selling electricity to India, Nepal can find a place in the developed countries of the world." He also told Nepali MPs he wanted to turn India's "hostile borders benign and ultimately gateways for free trade and commerce...borders must be bridges not barriers." The Kathmandu Post reacted in writing: "Modi mantra warms Nepal's hearts."[13] The New York Times also suggested the lack of a meeting with former King Gyanendra signified that India would not support a return to monarchy[14] despite the lack of a new constitution of Nepal. The commonality of a majority Hindu heritage was also played up.[15]
He visited Japan on a five-day official trip from 30 August to 3 September which is labelled as his fist bilateral state visit outside the subcontinent. His 2014 visit further strengthened the ties between the two countries, and resulted in several key agreements, including the elevating the already established strategic partnership to the "Special Strategic Global Partnership". During his visit official negotiations have progressed on the sale of US 2 amphibious aircraft for Indian Navy and the long pending civil nuclear agreements.[17][18]
Modi delivered his maiden speech in the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2014, where he called for reform and expansion of United Nations Security Council including India's long standing demand of a permanent membership. He expressed his concerns over the relevance of a 20th century setup in 21st century and the need to evaluate UN's performance in the past 70 years. He had also argued why UN should serve as G-All for global governance instead of several parallel sub-groupings like G7, G20 etc. In the wake of ISIS threat in West Asia and similar in other parts of the globe he urged for immediate implementation of 'Comprehensive on International Terrorism' by the UN and offered India's pro-active role in it citing India as a victim of terrorism for decades. Prior to his speech he along with External Affairs Minister Swaraj met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and discussed UN governance relating issues.[23] Ridiculing the possibility of any multilateral intervention, a demand Sharif has made in his address at the UNGA on 26 September, on Kashmir related mater he stated that his govt is ready for 'bilateral talk' to Pakistan provided Pakistan should cultivate suitable environment for talks by giving up terrorism policy against India.[24] Modi commented briefly on climate change and use of clean energy, in this regards he also asked world leaders and UN officials for observing Yoga Day, emphasizing the importance of incorporating Yoga in modern day life style.[25] Modi fasted during a White House dinner in his honor.[26]
In more than 33 years Modi became the first Indian head of government to visit Fiji after Indira Gandhi's visit in 1981.[29] There he also attended a 'Forum for India-Pacific Island cooperation' along with leaders from all 14 Pacific islands nations.[30]
Earlier Modi was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in January 2015[31] but following the inauguration of the new President Maithripala Sirisena, who will in turn pay a visit to New Delhi in February, Modi is now expected to made his reciprocal visit to the island country from March 13-15 2015. During this trip Modi will also visit to Jafna in the Northern Province.[32]
During Modi's visit he is expected to encourage French companies to participate in the Made In India programme in defense, civil nuclear power and food processing.
During Modi's first ever interaction with German chancellor Angela Merkel, a state visit to Berlin by Modi in April was worked out. Notably earlier in July 2014 Modi spent 2 nights in Germany on his onward and return journey to Brazil but a bilateral meeting could not taken place due to scheduling issues. Modi is also expected to visit Hannover where he will pitch for Make in India campaign in front of German industries.
Modi will make his maiden visit to Peoples Republic of China in May 2015 and speculations are rife that he will travel to the Manasarovar through the proposed new route. And President Xi likely to take him to Xi'an, his home town on the line of Xi's Ahemadabad trip last September.[33]
It will be his second BRICS summit after he took office of Prime Minister of India in 2014. This trip is also likely to include his first state visit to Moscow.[34]
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong has invited Modi to visit Singapore in 2015 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India-Singapore bilateral ties[37]
██ = Future event; ██ = No summit ^aSushma Swaraj attended in the Prime Minister's place. •^b India will host these summits. • ^c India was not full member.
Bhutan
Brazil
Nepal
Japan
United States
Myanmar
Australia
Fiji
Sri Lanka
France
Germany
Peoples Republic of China
Russia
United Kingdom
Bangladesh
Singapore
New Delhi
South Africa
Turkey
Dushanbe