Source : IgMp Editorial
The post-crash world is one of recalibration. While the United States turns inward, adopting a neo-mercantilist stance, the vacuum it leaves behind presents a critical opportunity for India to lead. But leadership in this new multipolar order must be earned through decisive action in key sectors.
Chip manufacturing is the oxygen of modern economies. With global supply chains disrupted and Taiwan under constant geopolitical stress, India’s push towards establishing a resilient semiconductor ecosystem is not just wise—it is imperative. The government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors must evolve from paper commitments to functional foundries. Strategic partnerships with Japan, the EU, and the US itself (via the Quad framework) must be leveraged not just for technology transfer but for long-term infrastructure and talent development.
As the US tech giants face increasing scrutiny and economic volatility, India must reduce its dependency on foreign software ecosystems. The development of a sovereign, indigenous operating system—built with national security, digital autonomy, and AI integration at its core—should become a national mission. Just as India built Aadhaar as a unique digital identity model, a home-grown OS can become the foundation of a secure digital future, especially for government, defence, and public sector utilities.
The Make in India initiative, particularly in defence, is beginning to yield results. The indigenous Tejas fighter, INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, and advanced missile systems are testament to India’s capability. However, the tempo must increase. India should not just aim for self-reliance but for becoming a net exporter of defence technology, particularly to friendly countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. This will not only boost domestic industry but strategically position India as a defence provider in a world where security partnerships matter more than ever.
The Indo-Pacific is fast becoming the most contested maritime theatre of the 21st century. China’s assertive behaviour, combined with the US’s uncertain commitment, calls for a recalibrated Indian maritime doctrine. The Indian Navy must be granted greater autonomy and resources to act decisively in this region. From deploying aircraft carriers in chokepoints like the Malacca Strait to establishing naval bases in the Andamans, Mauritius, and even Vietnam, India must position itself as a guardian of free and open seas.
A blue-water navy is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Ensuring the security of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) is vital not just for India's trade but for the entire Global South that relies on these routes for food, fuel, and growth.
As the dollar’s dominance begins to face structural challenges, India must double down on financial diplomacy through forums like BRICS. A diversified reserve currency system—based on a mix of national currencies and perhaps even blockchain-backed digital currencies—can provide insulation from abrupt dollar shocks.
Yet, this path is not without complications. China’s growing influence in BRICS must be balanced carefully. While India needs BRICS to counter Western monetary hegemony, it must not allow the forum to become a vehicle for Beijing’s ambitions.
India’s foreign policy has matured into a finely tuned balancing act. Membership in the Quad, SCO, I2U2, and BRICS demonstrates a multi-vector approach that serves national interest without ideological rigidity. This multi-alignment has allowed India to import oil from Russia, cooperate with the US on tech, and engage with Europe on climate and trade—all without losing strategic autonomy.
The elephant, unlike the dragon, does not roar—it marches. And India's march must be firm and deliberate. Hastiness can lead to entanglements; hesitation can lead to isolation. But a steady, strategic tempo can allow India to keep the dragon in check while leading the Global South towards a more equitable, multipolar future.
As the West retreats into uncertainty and internal strife, and China seeks dominance through coercion and debt diplomacy, India must rise—not by replicating either model but by presenting a third path. A path defined by democratic resilience, strategic depth, economic self-reliance, and inclusive growth.
The time for quiet leadership is over. The time for assertive, value-driven leadership—rooted in India's civilizational wisdom and 21st-century ambition—has arrived.
By Jeet
Ghosh, Strategic Affairs Contributor
The recent $3.1 trillion market crash in the United States—the largest since the pandemic era—has not only rattled global financial markets but also underscored the fragility of overdependence on a single economic powerhouse. As the US reels under the weight of rising inflation, interest rate hikes, and an increasingly protectionist trade policy, a new chapter is quietly being written in the East. And at the heart of it stands India—resolute, strategic, and steadily emerging as the quiet leader of the Global South.
Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: India’s Strategic Pivot
The post-crash world is one of recalibration. While the United States turns inward, adopting a neo-mercantilist stance, the vacuum it leaves behind presents a critical opportunity for India to lead. But leadership in this new multipolar order must be earned through decisive action in key sectors.
Semiconductors: From Dependence to Dominance
Chip manufacturing is the oxygen of modern economies. With global supply chains disrupted and Taiwan under constant geopolitical stress, India’s push towards establishing a resilient semiconductor ecosystem is not just wise—it is imperative. The government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductors must evolve from paper commitments to functional foundries. Strategic partnerships with Japan, the EU, and the US itself (via the Quad framework) must be leveraged not just for technology transfer but for long-term infrastructure and talent development.
Digital Sovereignty: The Time for an Indigenous OS
As the US tech giants face increasing scrutiny and economic volatility, India must reduce its dependency on foreign software ecosystems. The development of a sovereign, indigenous operating system—built with national security, digital autonomy, and AI integration at its core—should become a national mission. Just as India built Aadhaar as a unique digital identity model, a home-grown OS can become the foundation of a secure digital future, especially for government, defence, and public sector utilities.
Defence Industrial Base: Make in India, Make for the World
The Make in India initiative, particularly in defence, is beginning to yield results. The indigenous Tejas fighter, INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, and advanced missile systems are testament to India’s capability. However, the tempo must increase. India should not just aim for self-reliance but for becoming a net exporter of defence technology, particularly to friendly countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. This will not only boost domestic industry but strategically position India as a defence provider in a world where security partnerships matter more than ever.
Indo-Pacific: Giving the Navy Its Due
The Indo-Pacific is fast becoming the most contested maritime theatre of the 21st century. China’s assertive behaviour, combined with the US’s uncertain commitment, calls for a recalibrated Indian maritime doctrine. The Indian Navy must be granted greater autonomy and resources to act decisively in this region. From deploying aircraft carriers in chokepoints like the Malacca Strait to establishing naval bases in the Andamans, Mauritius, and even Vietnam, India must position itself as a guardian of free and open seas.
A blue-water navy is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Ensuring the security of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) is vital not just for India's trade but for the entire Global South that relies on these routes for food, fuel, and growth.
BRICS and Beyond: Redefining Financial Sovereignty
As the dollar’s dominance begins to face structural challenges, India must double down on financial diplomacy through forums like BRICS. A diversified reserve currency system—based on a mix of national currencies and perhaps even blockchain-backed digital currencies—can provide insulation from abrupt dollar shocks.
Yet, this path is not without complications. China’s growing influence in BRICS must be balanced carefully. While India needs BRICS to counter Western monetary hegemony, it must not allow the forum to become a vehicle for Beijing’s ambitions.
Walking With Giants: The Art of Multi-Alignment
India’s foreign policy has matured into a finely tuned balancing act. Membership in the Quad, SCO, I2U2, and BRICS demonstrates a multi-vector approach that serves national interest without ideological rigidity. This multi-alignment has allowed India to import oil from Russia, cooperate with the US on tech, and engage with Europe on climate and trade—all without losing strategic autonomy.
The elephant, unlike the dragon, does not roar—it marches. And India's march must be firm and deliberate. Hastiness can lead to entanglements; hesitation can lead to isolation. But a steady, strategic tempo can allow India to keep the dragon in check while leading the Global South towards a more equitable, multipolar future.
Conclusion: The Leadership India Was Meant For
As the West retreats into uncertainty and internal strife, and China seeks dominance through coercion and debt diplomacy, India must rise—not by replicating either model but by presenting a third path. A path defined by democratic resilience, strategic depth, economic self-reliance, and inclusive growth.
The time for quiet leadership is over. The time for assertive, value-driven leadership—rooted in India's civilizational wisdom and 21st-century ambition—has arrived.
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