The tragedy behind Modi's hollow optics — stadium rallies abroad, diaspora dances, photo-ops, choreographed hugs, inane comments followed by loud laughter — lies a steep diplomatic decline.
From being a regional anchor and a small superpower in the making to becoming diplomatically isolated, almost an international pariah, India’s slide under his leadership is not just embarrassing, it’s dangerous. There is not one friend left in the neighbourhood, think Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan or Burma, we have succeeded in alienating everyone by supposedly flexing diplomatic muscle and being legends in our own minds.
We need statesmanship, not stage shows, substance, not style, gumption, not glitter. Serious foreign policy, not selfie diplomacy.
And we certainly don't require a narcissistic emperor with no clothes who is obsessed with image over outcomes.
The world is watching, and so are the sane ones left in India. Time to reclaim dignity and direction in foreign policy.
