Regional atlas · 9 sections
India & the World
Choose a region on the map or from the list. Each section sets out historical context, stated policy frameworks, documented engagement and its sources. None of it is ranked or scored.
Neighbourhood
South Asia and India's immediate neighbours.
Historical context
The Ministry's records include agreements that settled long-running questions with neighbours. In June 2015 India and Bangladesh exchanged instruments of ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011 Protocol, in Dhaka.
Stated policy framework
The Government describes its approach to neighbouring countries as “Neighbourhood First”, in its replies to Parliament.
Career link
Dr. Jaishankar served in Sri Lanka from 1988 to 1990 as First Secretary and Political Advisor to the Indian Peace Keeping Force.
Where to read
Indo-Pacific
ASEAN, East Asia, Oceania and the maritime space.
Historical context
India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner and became a full Dialogue Partner in 1995. Relations rose to summit level in 2002, became a Strategic Partnership in 2012 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on 12 November 2022.
Stated policy framework
India announced the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok on 4 November 2019. It has seven pillars, including maritime security, maritime ecology, and trade connectivity and maritime transport. According to the MEA brief, Japan has agreed to lead cooperation on the connectivity pillar.
Documented engagement
- July 2024: ASEAN–India and East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' meetings and the ASEAN Regional Forum, Vientiane.
- Quad Foreign Ministers' Meetings: Tokyo (July 2024), Washington (January and July 2025), New Delhi (May 2026).
- October 2025: represented India at the 20th East Asia Summit, Kuala Lumpur.
Sources
Europe
The European Union, its member states and the wider continent.
Historical context
Launched on 26 January 1998, India's Strategic Partnership with France was, in the Ministry's words, “the first-ever for India with a Western nation”. India and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1954.
Recent framework
The India–France relationship was raised to a Special Global Strategic Partnership in February 2026. That followed the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted in July 2023.
Documented engagement
- January 2026: guest of honour at the 31st Conference of Ambassadors of France. Also took part in the first India–Weimar Foreign Ministers' meeting, with France, Germany and Poland (MEA India–France brief).
- March 2026: attended the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting with partner countries in France (MEA India–France brief).
- September 2026: official visit to Ukraine and Poland.
- Addressed the German Foreign Office's Annual Ambassadors' Conference in Berlin (MEA text).
Sources
West Asia
The Gulf, the Levant and the Arab world.
Documented engagement
- 30–31 January 2026: 2nd India–Arab League Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi.
- 9 March 2026: suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on the situation in West Asia.
Connectivity context
At the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, leaders co-hosted a meeting on investment in economic corridors, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, according to the MEA's India–US brief.
Sources
Africa
The African Union and its member states.
Historical milestone
The African Union became a permanent member of the G20 on 9 September 2023, at the New Delhi Summit, on India's proposal.
Documented engagement
On 13–14 August 2026, Dr. Jaishankar held bilateral talks in New Delhi with Liberia's Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Development partnership
India's capacity-building programme, ITEC, which began in 1964, is open to partner countries including those in Africa. See Global South.
Sources
Central Asia
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Dialogue mechanism
The India–Central Asia Dialogue brings together India's External Affairs Minister and the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian states. Its third meeting was held in New Delhi, and a joint statement was issued on 19 December 2021.
Regional organisation
India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the Astana Summit in June 2017. Dr. Jaishankar attended the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Tianjin on 15 July 2025.
Sources
Americas
North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Framework
The MEA describes India–US relations as a “comprehensive global strategic partnership”. Its apex defence dialogue is the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which the External Affairs Minister co-chairs with the Defence Minister, the US Secretary of State and the US Secretary of Defense.
Career link
Dr. Jaishankar served in Washington twice: as First Secretary (1985–1988) and as Ambassador (December 2013–2015).
Documented engagement
- 21 January 2025: bilateral talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Washington.
- 22 September 2025: meeting with Secretary Rubio on the sidelines of UNGA80, New York.
- 24 May 2026: joint press conference with Secretary Rubio, New Delhi.
Latin America
Brazil is a founding BRICS partner and is covered under the Global South and multilateral sections.
Sources
Global South
Developing countries across regions.
Summit series
India convened the Voice of Global South Summit three times: on 12–13 January 2023, 17 November 2023 and 17 August 2024. All three were held virtually.
Full section
Development partnerships, capacity building and the summit record have their own page, which uses a southern-hemisphere map.
Multilateral system
The UN, the G20, BRICS, the SCO, the Quad and ASEAN-led forums.
Recent record
- UN Security Council non-permanent member, 2021–22.
- G20 Presidency, 1 December 2022 – 30 November 2023.
- BRICS Chairship, 2026.
Full section
The forum matrix sets out each institution's background, India's status and documented ministerial participation.