India's Strategic Positioning in a Multipolar World

Navigating Between Power Blocs

India - the emerging lion

I still remember that morning in third grade when my mom woke me up with devastating news: "Rajiv Gandhi, our Prime Minister, has been assassinated." As a child, I had already heard about the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Honestly, it made me wonder if this was just how things worked in India—why was everyone so shocked? Looking back now, I realize that moment shaped my understanding of how fragile political power really is.

Individuals who were born in the 1970s and 1980s experienced a period marked by significant turbulence in Indian history. We witnessed political assassinations that didn't just shake the government but made ordinary people question everything. Many families around us were desperately trying to migrate to the US or UK, chasing dreams of stability and better opportunities that seemed impossible to find at home.

When the World Had Two Superpowers (And Then Just One)

After India's independence, the world was pretty straightforward—you had the US on one side, Russia on the other, and everyone else had to pick a team. It was like being forced to choose sides in a playground fight. But then the Soviet Union collapsed, and suddenly America was the only kid left standing.Even countries like Britain and France, which we grew up believing were major powers, found themselves following America's lead.

Here's where Buddha's teaching of 'Anicca'—impermanence—really hits home. Nothing lasts forever, yet countries act like they are going to be on top indefinitely. History is basically a game of musical chairs between nations, with only one getting to sit on the throne at any given time.

The China Mistake America Can't Take Back

The US now admits they screwed up big time by helping China grow into an economic giant. They practically handed over manufacturing, technology, and market access, thinking they could control the outcome. Now China is USA's biggest headache, and they are terrified of making the same mistake with India.

What's fascinating is watching American foreign policy scramble to deal with this new reality. They are trying to contain China while courting India, but they are also suspicious of us becoming too powerful.  

India's Genius Move: Playing All Sides

For the first time since independence, India is refusing to pick sides, and honestly, it's brilliant. We are maintaining relationships with the US, Russia, China, and Europe without committing exclusively to anyone. Call it "strategic autonomy" or just smart politics—it's working.

This approach reminds me of something from Kautilya's Arthashastra: "Just as a lion, being wise, does not enter the den of another lion, so should a ruler avoid engaging with a strong enemy unless the circumstances are favorable." We are not picking fights we can't win, but we are also not bowing down to anyone.

The Mess Next Door

Examine the events occurring around our borders and tell me that it's just a coincidence. Imran Khan gets ousted and jailed in Pakistan. Bangladesh sees regime change. Nepal's dealing with political instability. This isn't random—it's a coordinated effort to reshape South Asia, and it smells a lot like the old colonial western world playbook.

The tactics might be more sophisticated now, but the goal remains the same: destabilize regions for strategic advantage. The question is whether India can navigate these choppy waters without getting pulled into the chaos.

The China Border Issue We Keep Avoiding

China has actually tried twice to resolve our border disputes—once during Nehru's time and again during Rajiv Gandhi's era. Nehru not only said no but moved troops to the border, which led to the 1962 war that we are still bitter about.

Rajiv Gandhi had the right idea—keep border issues separate from other diplomatic engagement. But after his assassination, that agenda got shelved. Now we have a chance to restart those conversations. The current government should seriously consider this opportunity instead of letting pride and politics get in the way of practical solutions.

The 8% Growth Challenge

India has no choice but to supercharge its economy. To stay relevant in this fragmented world and reach our goal of becoming a developed nation, we need to hit over 8% growth annually (in real terms). That's not just an ambitious target—it's survival.

The good news? We have demographics on our side. Our young population isn't just consuming more; they're driving innovation and entrepreneurship. These tech-savvy millennials and Gen-Z folks are changing entire industries with their consumption patterns and startup ideas.

But here's the catch: we need to sustain this growth while dealing with volatile energy prices, currency fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions.

Energy Headaches and Climate Promises

India's growth story has an energy problem. We need massive amounts of power to fuel our economy, but we have also committed to the Paris Agreement goals for 2030. It's like being told to run faster while carrying more weight.

We are trying to build a stable energy future in the middle of complete chaos. The only solution is diversification—renewable energy, strategic reserves, multiple suppliers, and hope that geopolitics doesn't mess up our plans.

Defence and Tech: Building Our Own Strength

We are finally getting serious about defense modernization and technological independence. This isn't just about buying better weapons; it's about integrating AI, cybersecurity, and unmanned systems into our defense strategy. The goal is simple: never again should we be dependent on others for our security.

Resource security has become equally important. We are actively diversifying where we get critical materials and energy from, building strategic reserves, and reducing vulnerabilities.

Where Investors Are Looking Now

Global investors are getting smart about geopolitical risks. They're moving money toward countries that aren't completelydependent on fragile international supply chains. India's looking pretty attractive right now—large domestic market, young population, and a government that isn't picking fights with everyone.

This shift in investor sentiment supports our broader strategy of reducing dependence on others while building our own manufacturing capabilities. Programs like "Make in India" and "Viksit Bharat" suddenly make a lot more sense when you realize the world is becoming less interconnected, not more.

Learning from History's Lessons

The Buddhist concept of impermanence isn't just philosophy—it's a practical guide to understanding geopolitics. The British Empire seemed permanent until it wasn't. American hegemony felt unstoppable until China started growing. The Soviet Union looked invincible until it collapsed overnight.

Nothing lasts forever in international relations. Today's ally can be tomorrow's competitor. Today's enemy might become tomorrow's partner. That's why India's approach of maintaining multiple relationships while avoiding exclusive commitments makes so much sense.

What This All Means Going Forward

As someone who grew up watching political upheaval and family friends desperately trying to leave India, I am amazed at how far we have come. The country that once seemed unstable and hopeless is now being courted by every major power.

But success isn't guaranteed. We need to maintain high economic growth, secure our energy needs, modernize our military, and most importantly, preserve the strategic autonomy that lets us deal with everyone without being controlled by anyone.

The generation that witnessed the assassinations of the 80s and 90s is now running the country. We learned early that political power is fragile and that external forces can dramatically impact our lives. Maybe that's why we are so determined to chart our own course.

India's refusal to be anyone's junior partner isn't arrogance—it's wisdom born from experience. We have seen what happens when countries become too dependent on others. We have watched superpowers rise and fall. We understand that in this game of international musical chairs, the best strategy is to keep multiple chairs available.

The world is changing rapidly, and the old rules don't apply anymore. But if we can balance ancient wisdom with modern realities, maintain our growth trajectory while preserving our independence, and navigate between competing powers without losing our soul, there’s a strong possibility that this could truly be India's time to become a grown up lion.