India's foreign policy over the past 25 years has evolved through distinct phases, from prioritizing domestic transformation post-2000s events to asserting strategic autonomy with nuclear tests and the US Civil Nuclear Agreement. The Modi era saw an 'India First' approach, emphasizing personal diplomacy, neighborhood policy, and strengthened ties with the US and Japan, culminating in the G20 presidency. However, challenges like border tensions with China and trade/visa restrictions from the US in 2025 highlighted the limits of ambition and exposed uncomfortable truths about global realities.