The first six years of the 2020s have been defined by profound global turbulence, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and escalating conflict in West Asia. These disruptions have severely impacted global supply chains, exposing deep vulnerabilities in international security, trade dependency, and connectivity. Notably, the war in Iran triggered a major energy crisis by closing sea traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital transit point for nearly 20 percent of the world's crude oil and petroleum products. Despite these cascading challenges, India has managed to navigate the crises while maintaining steady economic growth.
During the pandemic, India developed its own COVID-19 vaccine and exported it to more than 110 countries, earning widespread international trust. When the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, New Delhi maintained its strategic autonomy. It resisted diplomatic pressure from Europe and the United States, continuing to purchase Russian crude oil to secure its energy needs while promoting the message that "this is not the era of war." Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, India quickly diversified its import basket, successfully securing its requirement of 5 million barrels of crude oil per day during June and July.
Currently, India stands as the world's fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and possesses one of the largest militaries, which demonstrated its capabilities during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Domestically, the nation has experienced political continuity, with the Bharatiya Janata Party remaining in power for 12 years across three consecutive elections. Diplomatically, India has expanded its presence across the Global South, positioning itself as its primary voice. It has also emerged as a significant player in technology, supply chain diversification, and the renewable energy transition, while its public health indicators have steadily improved. Furthermore, alumni from premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) continue to lead major global corporations.
To evaluate India's global standing, analysts point to Comprehensive National Power (CNP). While lacking a single definition, CNP represents the combined hard and soft power a country uses to protect its national interests and shape global affairs. The Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index, which evaluates over 100 parameters across eight thematic areas—including economy, military, resilience, future resources, economic relationships, defense networks, diplomatic influence, and cultural influence—ranked India third in 2025, trailing only the United States and China.
Economic strength remains India's primary growth driver, with a steady GDP growth rate of 6 to 7 percent, making it the fastest-growing major economy. This expansion is supported by a domestic consumer market of over 1.4 billion people, active free trade agreements, and a focus on manufacturing and innovation. The country has set an export target of $1 trillion for FY2026-27, comprising $530 billion in merchandise and $470 billion in services, up from $863 billion in total exports last year. Financial inclusion and digital banking systems, alongside mature tax reforms like the Goods and Services Tax, have bolstered government revenues. Additionally, production-linked incentives and soft loans are generating manufacturing jobs. Backed by $600 billion in foreign exchange reserves and major infrastructure developments in expressways, airports, and seaports, India aims to overcome logistical inefficiencies. However, to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, India must maintain growth above 7 percent for the next two decades, improve the ease of doing business, and enhance self-reliance.
On the military front, India maintains the world's third-largest armed forces. Beyond its numerical strength, India is integrating advanced technology and boosting domestic defense manufacturing. It possesses a tested nuclear triad, a tri-service military framework, space capabilities, a blue-water navy, and robust cybersecurity. Advanced weapons platforms like BrahMos missiles, Akashteer air defense systems, hypersonic missiles, and nuclear-powered submarines enable power projection. Domestic defense exports reached nearly 390 billion rupees in FY2025-26. Future procurement plans focus on acquiring fifth-generation fighter aircraft with technology transfers and full control over electronics and guidance systems. Nonetheless, challenges persist. India's defense modernization is uneven, the Indian Air Force faces a shortage of modern fighter aircraft, and critical technologies like aero engines remain unmastered. Continued reliance on imports limits strategic autonomy, and the threat of a two-front conflict with China and Pakistan remains a major challenge.
Technology is another crucial pillar of India's national power. Public platforms like Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) demonstrate digital innovation at scale. The space program is highly advanced, featuring lunar missions, Mars exploration, and the launch of Vikram-1, India's first private space rocket developed by Skyroot Aerospace. While India has initiated national missions for semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, it still lags behind global technology leaders. To close this gap, India must increase research and development spending, accept the concept of "sunk costs" to build proprietary tech platforms, and foster startups capable of competing with global giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Meta.
Demographically, India holds a unique advantage with a median age of 29 years and 68 percent of its population within the working age of 15 to 64. Rising graduate numbers, a focus on STEM education, and declining illiteracy are positive signs. Healthcare initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat universal medical cover scheme, along with lower infant and maternal mortality rates, help support this population. However, translating this demographic dividend into growth requires generating sufficient jobs and ensuring social integration. While political stability has enabled long-term reforms, India must still address bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, judicial delays, and regulatory uncertainties to maximize its potential.
Diplomatically, India's influence has expanded through active participation in the G20, BRICS, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, as well as partnerships like the Quad and I2U2. The 2023 G20 Summit, presided over by India, is widely regarded as a major diplomatic success. India is also a leading contributor of troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Finally, India's soft power is bolstered by a massive global diaspora of 35 million people, including 18 million of Indian origin, particularly in the Gulf region. Engaging this diaspora constructively remains key to advancing India's national interests on the road to 2047.
You have reached the limit of 2 free articles this month.
The next phase of global competition will be determined by control over advanced technologies. Unless India substantially increases R&D investment, and industrial innovation, its technological CNP will lag behind its economic potential.
Related Articles
Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.