While his economic contributions are well recognised, P V Narasimha Rao’s role in reorienting India’s foreign policy is undermined. During his tenure, P V Narasimha Rao was committed to responding to global challenges by reorienting the foreign policy of India based on national interest and bringing several shifts in India’s foreign policy amid unfavourable domestic conditions, leading a minority government for a full term, winning three no-confidence motions in Parliament, overcoming an economic crisis, and the demolition of Babri Masjid despite not being a mass political leader.

This letter takes note of his contributions towards India’s foreign policy in the post-Cold war era.

(Co-authored with Stefy V Joseph, Published in Economic and Political Weekly, March 2024)