India’s journey toward becoming a major global power is the subject of intense debate, aspiration, and policy focus. While strides have been made since independence, universal recognition as a major power remains just out of reach. India’s considerable credentials—including an ancient civilisation, significant population, vibrant democratic institutions, economic growth, military strength, nuclear capability, and a crucial regional location—make its claim for such status immensely credible. Yet, global acknowledgement remains incomplete, highlighted by gaps in international influence and recurring exclusions from pivotal diplomatic forums and negotiations. To address these challenges and fulfil its destiny as a recognised global leader, India must take decisive action across a broad front. This essay outlines a twelve-point strategy, providing a clear roadmap for India to secure its place among the world’s leading powers.
Promote Universal Recognition as a Future Major Global Power
Gaining global acknowledgement as a future power requires deliberate diplomatic campaigns. India’s quest should focus on altering not just regional perception but the consensus among major world powers. The fastest-growing multi-trillion-dollar economy, a massive and skilled workforce, technological advancement, and a well-reputed global diaspora reinforce India’s pre-eminent claim. To institutionalise this recognition, continuous engagement in global reform movements—especially those affecting the United Nations—must be prioritised. Only by embedding this image into international consciousness will the world see India’s ascent and leadership as inevitable rather than aspirational.
Achieve High Economic Growth Targets Continuously
Economic prowess is the foundation of major power status. India must target and sustain an annual growth rate of at least 8% over the coming decades to catch up with the world’s largest economies. Crucially, per-capita growth should accompany aggregate GDP expansion to ensure prosperity reaches all layers of society. Achieving this requires transformative policy reforms: investing in infrastructure, enhancing education and workforce skills, welcoming foreign direct investment, and drastically streamlining business protocols. Innovation, digitisation, and scalable industry adaptation must become ingrained in every economic process. Shifting toward a larger tax base and away from subsidies will create a more dynamic, competitive economy attuned to global trends.
Transform India’s Armed Forces into a Modern, World-Class Military
To project influence internationally and protect critical interests, India’s military must be transformed into a technologically advanced, agile force - ready for multi-domain challenges. Modernisation means investing in cutting-edge technology and integrating lessons from global conflicts, emphasising both hard and soft power—including humanitarian and disaster relief missions. Timely resolution of border disputes is also a necessity, freeing resources for economic and technological growth. Partnerships for foreign technology, combined with a focus on local manufacturing, must drive this evolution. This transformation ensures India’s might is seen as an asset for regional stability rather than a threat.
Ensure Internal Security and an Effective Criminal Justice System
Internal stability underpins a nation’s external influence. India must address persistent internal threats—terrorism, insurgencies, crime and communal strife—to foster an attractive investment climate. Comprehensive reforms in policing, justice, and corrections are necessary. Technology adoption, streamlined judicial processes, and accountability can ensure quick, fair resolutions and enhance public trust. A corruption-free and rights-based justice system will further strengthen India’s global image and solidify its claim to major power stature.
Human Development Must Be Given Utmost Priority
India’s human development metrics, such as its low per capita GDP (142nd out of 193) and Human Development Index ranking (130th out of 193), illustrate the need for focused and sustained improvement. Achieving rapid progress means universalising access to education, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation, while fostering genuine gender equality and eradicating poverty. Investment in social sectors should be scaled to at least 6% of GDP for education and 3% for health. Programs must be aligned with the realities of a technology-driven economy, and delivery systems should be transparent and decentralised, ensuring benefits directly reach the intended populace. Only broad-based human development can create a solid platform for long-term global influence.
Transform 'Young India' into a Demographic Dividend
With one of the world’s youngest populations, India’s demographic edge can become a powerful economic catalyst. This requires world-class skill development, education aligned with global demand, and the promotion of 21st-century skills—critical thinking, problem solving, and digital literacy. Encouraging civic responsibility, pluralism, and resistance to divisive ideology in youth are vital. Meaningful job creation and skill-matching are fundamental, as is fostering entrepreneurship and full social participation from both rural and urban youth. Properly harnessed, this demographic dividend will propel India’s growth and global competitiveness.
Promote Value-Based Principles of Governance and Functioning
India’s domestic and international standing rests on credible governance rooted in democracy, transparency, pluralism, gender parity, and human rights. Improving global rankings in these areas is both morally and strategically necessary. India must maintain a firm, incorruptible stance on justice, freedom, and protection for minorities, ensuring no tolerance of communal discord or violence. Institutions should exemplify neutrality and integrity, while Indian companies and organisations operating abroad must model fairness and ethical standards. By setting and adhering to global best practices, India can shape not just its destiny but also influence the broader evolution of international norms.
Leverage India’s Scientific and Technological Prowess
India’s edge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is well established, especially in information technology, space and the nuclear domain. To be the architect of its future, India must nurture innovation, create high-value jobs, and encourage a scientific temper. Continued achievements in fields like AI, nano-technology, robotics, and IoT should be commercialised and scaled. Greater domestic investment and global partnerships in research and development will enable India to leapfrog outdated technologies and remain competitive globally. Harnessing this technological capital is key to both sustainable development and a powerful international presence.
Environmental and Ecological Security
Environmental stress poses existential risks to India’s sustainability and growth. Challenges include air and water pollution, deforestation, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, worsened by rapid industrialisation and climate change. Addressing these requires a comprehensive strategy: massive investments in renewable energy, water conservation, waste management reform, and aggressive enforcement of environmental standards. Reforestation and adoption of circular economy principles must be large-scale and swift. Treating ecological security as a core element of national security is imperative, not only for India’s progress but for its leadership claim in today’s environmentally conscious global arena.
Assume a Leadership Role in the Asian Region
Regional leadership in Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is crucial for India’s larger aspirations. This should be pursued through cooperation, not hegemony, allowing India’s unique model—an open economy combined with democratic and cultural influence—to guide regional development. Improving connectivity, deepening security relationships, and leveraging historical ties are all essential. Multilateral engagement with organisations like IORA, BIMSTEC, and QUAD, and deep security partnerships with extra-regional powers, will further strengthen India’s centrality in Asia. Collaborative leadership that emphasises shared prosperity and stability will solidify India’s role as an indispensable regional anchor.
Develop Cooperative Strategic Partnerships at the Global Level
Strategic global partnerships are vital for access to technology, secure markets, and political leverage. India needs to cement close ties with established and emerging powers: the United States, Russia, France, the UK, Germany, Japan, and others in Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. Strategic alliances should be tailored for mutual benefit, including technology transfer, market access, and intelligence sharing on threats like terrorism and cybercrime. Active participation in multilateral forums—UN, G20, BRICS, ASEAN, and more—will amplify India’s voice and allow it to push for equitable policies on global challenges such as security of the global commons, conflict resolution, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.
Transform as a 'Rule-Shaper' on the Global Stage
If India is to be a true global power, it must transition from a passive recipient of global norms to an active rule-shaper. This means playing a decisive role in designing and leading international frameworks on trade, technology, security, climate change, and humanitarian response. As India’s profile grows—from net aid recipient to aid provider, investment destination to investor—responsibility for solving the world’s problems increases proportionally. India’s growing influence must translate into greater contributions in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, environmental protection, anti-terrorism, and development aid. Leading on issues of climate change and technology standards, India can help shape the rules of tomorrow’s world.
Conclusion
Becoming a major global power will not materialise through economic might alone. India’s progress depends on integrated advancement across human development, security, technology, ethics, and diplomacy. The twelve-point strategy presented is broad and ambitious, demanding commitment and coordination across all sectors of policy and society. Addressing long-standing internal gaps while decisively engaging the world will allow India to convert its immense potential into a recognised global authority—as a rule-maker in the 21st century, not just for itself but for the world at large.
(The writer was Vice Chief of the Indian Army)
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK)