Securing India’s Rise

A Persuasive Case for an Indian National Security Makeover

Abstract

An aspirational, resurgent, India, today, in many ways, is the geopolitical toast of the world. In numerous metrics, it does seem to be well on its way to becoming a ‘Vikasit Bharat’ in the time frame of 2047-2050. If there is one eventuality, however, that could disfigure India’s rise as a ‘developed nation by 2047, it is a major national security reversal. In the eight years, the Government has laid a strong foundation for India’s National Security Makeover. Given the accumulating strategic adversity around its peripheries, however, multiple transitions still need to be made. The article examines the challenges and opportunities that line India’s National Security Path as also the transformation that we need to guardrail India’s rise. In doing so, the article also discusses the steps that the Indian Military and wider Defence need to take to transit from a framework focused narrowly on India’s Defence to one that can also enable its Rise.