In recent weeks, diplomatic engagements between Prime Minister Modi and various world leaders – notably from the US – have been reflective of a recent commitment towards expanding and broadening the scope of India in worldly affairs. However, India is not particularly a stranger to being at the focal point of diplomatic affairs, and the Modi playbook does well at amalgamating both historical and modern wisdom. To the well-versed, this is but a mere continuation of centuries-old engagement with the world. For the unknowing, the Indian historical record is replete with being at the center of global trade, technological disruption, and cultural exchange. From urban planning and commerce being pioneered during the Indus Valley Civilization to the golden age of the Gupta Empire, India has been dominant in economic progress. Furthermore, being a central hub in the Silk Road & Indian Ocean trade networks made India a crucial node in global commerce, not much different from India's contemporary ambitions. I believe that understanding India’s current playbook necessitates comprehending essential historical context. As India transitioned from the 20th to the 21st century, there was a marked shift in the nature of diplomacy from non-alignment – a hallmark of the Cold War – to a much more assertive, strategically engaged role. After receiving independence in 1947, India under Jawaharlal Nehru adopted a non-aligned stance to avoid entanglements in Cold War conflicts between the U.S and Soviet Union. Through this, India was able to benefit from economic and militaristic resources passed down from both sides of the conflict. However, as power dynamics evolved throughout the later period of the 1900s, there was more pressure to lean towards a particular side and reprioritize strategic obligations. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, P.V. Narasimha Rao unveiled a series of economic liberalizations which shifted India’s Cold War-esque stance on trade and economic development. For example, the prior period was characterized by policies such as The License Raj, a system of bureaucratic red tape that restricted private enterprise and ISI (Import Substitution), which discouraged foreign trade. Industries such as steel, telecommunications, and coal were all heavily regulated under the public sector as well. India has historically been adept at balancing relationships with multiple global powers without allowing any single country to exert complete influence over its foreign policy. A striking example of this strategic independence was during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War when the United States and the United Kingdom sent nuclear submarines towards India with intentions to coerce it into submission. However, Russian naval intervention effectively deterred Western forces, solidifying a trust-based relationship between India and Russia that persists to this day. While India has deepened its engagements with the West, it continues to maintain strong ties with Russia, making it one of the few nations to have positive relations with both geopolitical adversaries. Despite the current push towards aligning more with the U.S., India remains pragmatic in ensuring that no country dictates its strategic autonomy. India’s foreign policy has consistently been guided by national interest, reinforcing its historical ability to successfully navigate complex global alliances. Around the 1990s, this model became unsustainable due to an amalgamation of a balance of payments crisis, rising fiscal deficits, and a worldwide transition to market-oriented economies. Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao alongside Finance Minister Manmohan Singh unleashed sweeping reforms that deregulated entire sectors, opened FDI from the U.S & Europe, and privatized certain state-owned enterprises. Ultimately, this paved for stronger ties with the United States due to a need for western capital, diversification of arms imports from Russia, and a desire to counterbalance expanding Chinese cultural relevance in Asia. Returning to our current era, one of the most relevant aspects of the Modi diplomatic agenda is an expanding defense collaboration with the United States, which marks a shift in India’s historically Russia-reliant procurement strategy. Joint military exercises and F-35 acquisitions all exemplify this shift. India’s defense modernization efforts are deeply rooted in its historical commitment to military strength. The Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE), under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, maintained one of the most formidable armies of the ancient world, equipped with war elephants, advanced siege weaponry, and a highly organized intelligence system. By strengthening military ties with the U.S., India is not only securing access to cutting-edge defense technologies but also reinforcing its historical commitment to self-reliance in national security. These defense agreements serve India’s larger goal of countering China’s military expansion in the Indo-Pacific—a geopolitical concern that aligns with India’s historical emphasis on regional balance of power. India’s growing diplomatic engagements, particularly in trade, reflect a legacy of global economic influence that dates back thousands of years. Modi’s administration is actively pursuing trade agreements with the U.S. and other major economies to expand India's export base and attract foreign investment. This strategy mirrors India’s historical role as a global trade hub. During ancient times, Indian merchants traded spices, textiles, and precious stones along the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade routes, connecting South Asia with the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The Chola dynasty (9th–13th century CE) in southern India was particularly known for its extensive maritime trade, fostering economic prosperity and cultural exchange with regions as far as Indonesia and China. Today, Modi’s government is following a similar pattern by leveraging India’s strategic geographic position to strengthen its presence in global supply chains. The "Make in India" initiative, aimed at turning India into a global manufacturing hub, is a modern continuation of its historical economic dominance. The government’s push to reduce trade barriers, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and expand exports aligns with the commercial strategies that fueled India’s economic success in the pre-colonial era. Furthermore, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has significantly strengthened its defense, economic, and diplomatic ties with the West, particularly the United States and Europe. India is now the largest importer of U.S. defense equipment, gaining access to advanced fighter jets, drones, and missile defense systems, while actively collaborating with QUAD (U.S., Japan, Australia, India) to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. On the economic front, U.S.-India bilateral trade surpassed $191 billion in 2022, making the U.S. India’s largest trading partner, while India has also expanded trade agreements with Germany, France, and the U.K. to attract investment. Since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes with China, India has been actively reducing its reliance on Chinese imports by diversifying its trade partnerships. Diplomatically, India’s G20 presidency in 2023 showcased its rising global leadership, while its strategic energy partnerships with the U.S. and Europe aim to boost renewable energy investments and reduce dependency on Middle Eastern oil. India’s diplomatic and economic engagements are not isolated events but part of a long historical tradition of strategic diplomacy, military modernization, economic expansion, and scientific innovation. Modi’s foreign policy initiatives—whether in defense, trade, energy, or technology—align closely with India’s historical patterns of engagement with the world. By understanding India’s past interactions with global powers, we can better appreciate its present-day strategies. Whether through ancient trade routes, medieval military advancements, or modern-day economic liberalization, India has continually adapted to the evolving global order. Today, as it forges stronger alliances with Western powers while maintaining its strategic independence, India is once again reaffirming its place as a central force in global affairs—a role it has played for centuries.