Editorial- India : The Next Global Superpower

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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin asserted that India deserved to be included in the list of global superpowers. He was addressing a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia. At present, the US, France, UK, China and Russia are considered the global superpowers. India’s friend Russia earnestly believes India deserves to be recognised as a global superpower. Some time back, Vladimir Putin also batted for India’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, and the US, France and UK supported his claim.

Moreover, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR – a renowned economics consultancy based in London, UK) forecast that India would emerge as the largest economy by the end of this century. The CEBR report also predicted that India’s economy was poised to surpass the economies of Germany and Japan by 2032 and that in a few years, India’s GDP would be bigger than that of the US and China. Emerging as an economic superpower is one of the prerequisites for becoming a global superpower. However, the potential superpower is expected to become a military powerhouse, make significant scientific progress, showcase global leadership, develop geographic advantage, and display shrewd diplomacy.

It’s not about global dominance, but rather a ‘Patriarchy’ in the greater public interest

The European countries have always fought bloody battles for global dominance, and the two World Wars were the culmination of such disastrous ambitions. Hence, the United Nations, an intergovernmental organisation, was formed in 1945 (right after WW2) to make sure the world does not fall into such an abyss ever again.

When the US dropped the deadly nuclear bombs on Japan, it finally surrendered, and thus, WW2 ended after an unprecedented bout of absolute destruction. After such a grave mistake that took millions of lives, the responsible countries signed a peace treaty and vowed to avoid wars as much as possible. However, old habits die hard; therefore, the European countries continued to fight proxy wars, commonly and collectively referred to as the Cold War. Barring a few direct conflicts, the European Nations have been fighting proxy wars at different levels to attain or maintain their global dominance.

Today, the world recognises the US as the most dominant global superpower. Banking on their economic and military prowess, the global superpowers such as the US, UK and Germany have tried to maintain their global dominance. While Japan and Germany lost their might after WW2, the US continued to enjoy its global dominance due to its strong economy and military prowess.

The US even dominated the United Nations and continued to enhance its position by developing modern weapons and strengthening its military capabilities. Thus, the US continued to bolster its capabilities (both economic and military) and maintained its global dominance. For many decades, the US exported weapons and provided enormous amounts of loans to other countries, who remained dependent on the US to secure their borders or to keep their economies afloat. However, thanks to secular development in the past few decades, these dependent countries also transformed into self-sufficient economies. While Russia, China and Japan have started manufacturing modern weapons, Japan has achieved remarkable progress in the Information and Technology (Software) domain. Naturally, these developments challenge the US’ absolute global dominance and status.

The Mughals looted India before the Britishers colonised this great Nation. The British ruled India during both the World Wars. It is commendable that India stands tall amongst the global superpowers such as the US and UK after hundreds of years of foreign rule and innumerable invasions, and challenges their absolute dominance over geopolitics and other global topics. Developments such as – global superpowers suggesting that India deserved to be included in the list of global superpowers, the US suggesting that fellow countries offer India permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, or Russia openly recognising India as the new global superpower – bode well for India’s future.

Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to elevate India’s stature at an international forum is commendable. He proved his global leadership when he voluntarily provided medical aid to other countries during the coronavirus pandemic or his support to other countries to tide over natural calamities. The remarkable success story of ‘Chandrayaan-2’ – India’s lunar exploration mission, catapulted India into an elite league of countries which have accomplished the soft landing on the Moon.

The pandemic brought many seemingly stronger economies, including the mighty US, to their knees, driven by supply chain disruptions and crippled tourism industry. However, India handled this unprecedented healthcare and economic crisis remarkably well. As a result, India’s economic resilience has become a hot research topic for many countries as they try to insulate their economies from external shocks.

The United Nations also recognised India’s diplomatic prowess when it appealed to India to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, who have been fighting a protracted battle over territorial disputes and the role of NATO. These multifaceted achievements underscore India’s emergence as an undisputed global leader in geopolitics. PM Modi has already vowed to make India a Self-reliant Nation. The Union Government and PMO have been striving for this in every sphere.

The modern-day concept of a global superpower hinges on the degree of global dominance – military as well as economic. Hence, this concept does not go well with India, a Nation that draws inspiration from her spiritual and cultural heritage. India differs from others in its perspective towards being a global superpower. India believes in guardianship (‘Patriarchy’) rather than brute military or economic dominance.

Hence, India becoming a global superpower and directing other countries as a guardian of humanity becomes the need of the hour. Otherwise, the existing global superpowers would become even more dominant and continue to keep other vulnerable countries at their mercy. Hence, India must become a global superpower, not to flaunt dominance but for humanity – to make this world a better place to live in.

The race for dominance is an old trait. Countries since ancient times have tried to expand their boundaries; however, it’s always preferred that a Nation governed by well-defined laws and regulations like Indraprastha – the kingdom of the Pandavas – expands its territory, rather than a Nation with its foundation as a ‘brute power’ and lawlessness like Hastinapur – the kingdom of the Kauravas. Shrikrushna brought about the great war of Mahabharata to accomplish this. India also believes that war should not be waged merely for destruction (which has an evil motive) but for the restoration of spiritual and cultural ethos and the transformation of a rogue Nation into an ideal Nation.

In this context, India should take immense strides towards becoming a true global superpower and providing global leadership as the guardian of humanity. In the current context of globalisation, military dominance, economic resilience and scientific capabilities are some criteria to qualify as a global superpower. Hence, India should prove its worth on all these fronts and seek the attention of and recognition from the existing global superpowers.

However, once India achieves this feat, the world will benefit from her rich spiritual heritage and successfully resolve many age-old issues and conflicts.

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Once India becomes a superpower, the world will benefit from her rich spiritual heritage and resolve many age-old issues !