The latest instance unfolded during Prime Minister Modi’s current diplomatic engagements, when he was driven by the host country’s top leadership, reflecting an exceptional level of personal regard and warmth. According to news agency PTI, this most recent car ride followed closely on the heels of a similar gesture just a day earlier, when Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II personally drove the Indian prime minister. During that drive, the two leaders even made an unscheduled stop at the Science Museum and Friendship Park before proceeding to the hotel where Modi was scheduled to stay.
Such moments have not been isolated. Similar gestures have been witnessed during Modi’s interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, where the Indian leader was similarly accompanied in a car driven by his counterparts. Diplomats and analysts note that these gestures go beyond protocol, symbolising trust, respect, and a desire for informal, one-on-one engagement away from structured meeting rooms.
Officials familiar with the engagements describe these interactions as reflective of a broader shift in diplomatic style, where personal rapport is increasingly seen as a complement to formal negotiations. While official talks and agreements remain central, these quieter moments offer space for candid conversation and relationship-building at the highest level.
As global diplomacy grows more complex, such gestures carry their own significance. Prime Minister Modi’s “car diplomacy” highlights how personal connection and symbolic acts are being woven into statecraft, reinforcing India’s emphasis on relationship-driven foreign policy. The recent episodes suggest that, alongside formal summits and strategic dialogues, trust built through personal engagement continues to play a meaningful role in shaping international ties.
About The Author
Comment List