State Visits as Strategic Diplomacy and Economic Outreach

One of the major characteristics of being a “state” is the ability to conduct independent diplomatic relations. While scholars argue the utility of diplomatic outreach and public diplomacy (PD) efforts, no one denies that it benefits domestic audiences. While leaders and heads of states travel abroad for several reasons, strengthening bilateral economic ties between their country and the countries they are visiting remains an important component. Scholars have found that African leaders’ state visits to China significantly impact bilateral trade volume. A similarity is found in the case of the United States of America as well, where visits by a country’s leaders to the United States and vice versa, impacts the bilateral trade flows. We argue that interpersonal contacts allow leaders to cultivate close ties and trust, which complements the institutional foreign policy maneuverings. This project investigates the geographical pattern of Indian leaders’ state visits and examines if such state visits are positively associated with bilateral trade flows between India and the partner countries.

Upon examining this question, as an extended study, the project will analyze India’s foreign policy trajectories since 2004 through a set of parameters. With reference to the renewed “domestic-first” approach unfurling across the world, in this extended study, the project will explore the evolving nature of Indian diplomacy empirically, systematically, and objectively. In this respect, India’s identity, civilizational politics, and diaspora engagement policies will also be examined.