Context:
- The editorial examines India’s aspiration to become a major global power and argues that despite sustained economic growth, demographic advantages, and increasing geopolitical relevance, India continues to be perceived as a “rising power” rather than an already “established great power.”
UPSC Relevance: GS II (International Relations), GS III (Economy & Internal Security), Essay
Background:
- India is currently the world’s 4th largest economy (nominal GDP) and among the fastest-growing major economies.
- It plays an active role in G20, Quad, BRICS, SCO, BIMSTEC, IPEF, and the Global South.
- Strategic partnerships with the U.S., France, Japan, Australia, and the EU have strengthened India’s global profile.
- However, global power status depends not only on economic size but also on institutional strength, technological leadership, military capability, and sustained influence.
Highlights:
- India has emerged as a key balancing power in an increasingly multipolar world.
- Its strengths include a large domestic market, demographic dividend, digital public infrastructure, and strategic geography in the Indian Ocean.
- India’s independent foreign policy, or strategic autonomy, enhances its diplomatic credibility.
- Despite progress, India still faces constraints in manufacturing competitiveness, innovation, defence technology, and human capital.
- The editorial argues that India must transition from being a potential power to a comprehensive national power.
Challenges:
- Human Capital Deficit: Gaps in education, healthcare, and skill development.
- Manufacturing Weakness: Limited share in global value chains compared to East Asian economies.
- Technological Dependence: Reliance on imports for advanced semiconductors, AI, and defence technologies.
- Infrastructure & Logistics: High logistics costs reduce export competitiveness.
- Regional Security: Challenges from China, cross-border terrorism, and instability in the neighbourhood.
- Institutional Reforms: Faster judicial processes, regulatory certainty, and governance reforms are needed.
Way Forward:
- Accelerate manufacturing and innovation through initiatives like Make in India and semiconductor missions.
- Invest in education, research & development, and skill development to build knowledge-based growth.
- Strengthen defence indigenisation and technological self-reliance.
- Deepen integration into global supply chains and conclude high-quality trade agreements.
- Continue a balanced foreign policy while enhancing leadership in the Global South and multilateral institutions.
- Improve governance, ease of doing business, and institutional capacity for sustained economic transformation.
UPSC Mains Expected Question:
Q. “India is increasingly recognised as a ‘rising power’, yet translating economic growth into comprehensive national power remains a challenge.” Discuss the factors that determine great power status and examine the reforms required for India to emerge as a leading global power. (250 Words)
