The Hindu Editorial Analysis
15 September 2025
Positioning India in an unruly world
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper II: International Relations | GS Paper III: Security Challenges | Essay/IR Paper
Context
An article in Foreign Affairs dismissed India’s Great Power ambitions as “delusional,” citing structural weaknesses and overreliance on U.S. support. M.K. Narayanan responds by arguing that India’s ambitions are neither delusional nor weak but grounded in strong historical, economic, and strategic foundations.
Key Issues and Arguments
1. India’s Great Power Ambition under Criticism
- The Foreign Affairs article suggested India lacks “stature” to rise beyond a regional role.
- It claimed India depends excessively on the U.S. and cannot escape the “middle-income trap.”
- Narayanan calls this view simplistic, ignoring India’s deep historical, civilizational, and economic roots.
2. India’s Historical Foundation
- India’s rise is not new; it is built on strong institutions, independence struggle, and early leadership in global issues.
- India exercised disproportionate global influence, e.g., during Bandung (1955), Afro-Asian solidarity, and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- U.S.-India relations of 1962 and 1971 reveal that India is no passive power; it chooses alignments based on national interest.
3. India vs. the West
- The West measures power primarily in military and material terms.
- India’s trajectory is different: from famine to self-sufficiency in food, building global credibility as a problem-solver.
- India focuses on sustainable growth, social cohesion, and civilizational influence.
- India’s democratic identity and unique geopolitical location give it influence the West often misunderstands.
4. Technological Superiority as Driver
- Unlike “large weapons,” today’s decisive factor is technology leadership.
- India is betting on AI, space, and advanced technologies as the new markers of power.
- U.S. reliance on old paradigms (military dominance) contrasts with India’s civilizational resilience and adaptability.
5. India’s Strategic Location and Diplomacy
- India remains central to global alignments:
- Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, India) counters China.
- BRICS provides a balancing non-Western forum.
- G20 showcased India’s leadership in global consensus-building.
- Unlike Cold War blocs, India balances both sides while protecting sovereignty.
Policy Gaps Identified
| Area | Western Critique | Indian Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Power Projection | Military-first approach | Technology, economy, democracy |
| Alliances | Over-reliance on U.S. | Multi-alignment (Quad, BRICS, SCO) |
| Economic Base | Middle-income trap | Stable growth, digital innovation |
| Strategic Thought | Delusional ambition | Civilizational resilience |
Way Forward
- Strengthen Technological Edge: AI, space, quantum computing to consolidate India’s role.
- Deepen Strategic Autonomy: Continue balancing U.S., China, Russia, and regional coalitions.
- Narrative Building: Project India’s civilizational model as an alternative to militaristic Western or authoritarian Chinese models.
- Institutional Reform: Use G20, BRICS, and SCO to push for restructured global governance.
Conclusion
India’s ambition is not a “delusion of grandeur” but an evolution of history, civilizational continuity, and technological foresight. The West must recognize that power is not just about military might but also about sustainability, innovation, and democratic resilience. India’s positioning in an unruly world is not about imitation of the West but about offering an alternative model of inclusive, multipolar leadership.