India needs to assert its rightful place in rising New World Order

India Needs to Assert Its Rightful Place in the Rising New World Order

In an era where the global landscape is shifting from unipolar dominance to a multipolar framework, India stands at a pivotal juncture. With the rise of institutions like BRICS and the Quad, alongside forums such as the G20, the world is witnessing the emergence of a new order that values diverse voices and balanced power dynamics. India, with its ancient civilizational wisdom fused with modern prowess, must proactively claim its space—not as a follower, but as a shaper of this order. This assertion isn't about aggression but about leveraging India's unique blend of economic vitality, military resilience, and strategic diplomacy to foster global stability and equity.

India's Economic Ascendancy: A Foundation for Global Influence

India's economy has transformed into a juggernaut, defying outdated narratives and positioning the nation as a key driver of global growth. As of 2025, India's GDP growth is projected at 6.4 percent by the International Monetary Fund, maintaining its status as the fastest-growing major economy amid global uncertainties.

This follows a robust 8.2 percent expansion in FY23/24, fueled by domestic consumption, infrastructure investments, and a digital revolution.

Surpassing Japan, India now ranks as the fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP and third by purchasing power parity, with ambitions to hit third place globally by 2028.

A standout achievement is the manufacturing sector's evolution, propelled by initiatives like "Make in India." Merchandise exports reached US$437.42 billion in FY25, marking a steady climb driven by electronics, which surged over 32 percent to exceed US$38 billion in FY24-25.

The Index of Industrial Production grew by 3.5 percent in July 2025, underscoring resilience in sectors like mining and power.

India's digital economy is on track to surpass US$1 trillion by 2025, creating over a million jobs in renewables alone by 2023.

In technology, India's startup ecosystem and AI advancements are redefining global innovation, with exports targeting US$2 trillion by 2030 through diversification into markets like Africa and Latin America.

This economic muscle isn't just numbers—it's intuitive leverage. By integrating thorium-based nuclear energy and sustainable tech, India can pioneer a green multipolar order, exporting solutions to climate-vulnerable nations and reducing dependency on fossil fuel giants.

Military Strength: From Defense to Deterrence in a Multipolar World

India's military capabilities have evolved into a formidable force, ranked fourth globally in the 2025 Global Firepower Index with a score of 0.1184.

Boasting the world's second-largest active personnel at over 1.4 million, including the largest volunteer army, India maintains a defense budget that places it fourth worldwide.

This investment supports a triad of land, sea, and air power, enhanced by indigenous developments that emphasize self-reliance.Key advancements include the successful testing of the Akash Prime air defense system and nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles in 2025, signaling robust deterrence.

India's nuclear arsenal, estimated at 180 warheads, forms a credible minimum deterrence with land-, sea-, and air-based delivery systems.

The 15-year defense roadmap unveiled in 2025 integrates AI, hypersonics, and nuclear propulsion, aiming to counter asymmetric threats and project power regionally.

Plans for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system rival global leaders, positioning India as a potential exporter of advanced weaponry.

Intuitively, this strength allows India to pivot from reactive defense to proactive peacekeeping. In a new world order, India could lead coalitions for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, using its navy to safeguard trade routes and counter coercion without aligning rigidly with any bloc.Geopolitical Positioning: Balancing BRICS, Quad, and G20 for Multipolar Leadership.

India's diplomacy intuitively navigates the complexities of a rising new order, rejecting binary alliances in favor of strategic autonomy. As a founding BRICS member, India champions multipolarity, with the 2025 summit emphasizing reformed multilateralism and Global South priorities.

Yet, it balances China's influence within BRICS by strengthening ties with new entrants like the UAE and Egypt.

Simultaneously, in the Quad—a partnership with the US, Japan, and Australia—India upholds a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, countering expansionism without provocation.

The G20 presidency in 2023, carried forward into 2025, solidified India's role as a bridge-builder, contributing nearly 17 percent to global GDP growth in 2024 and projected to rise to 20 percent.

This positions India as a voice for emerging economies, advocating inclusive reforms in international institutions.Think Tanks suggests India assert itself by pioneering "Great Civilization Diplomacy"—blending cultural soft power with hard assets. Hosting hybrid forums that merge BRICS economic agendas with Quad security dialogues could foster a truly equitable order, where India mediates between East and West.

Overcoming Challenges and the Path to Assertion

While challenges like border tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities persist, India's trajectory is upward. Rejecting Western tropes of underdevelopment or internal biases that downplay achievements, the focus must be on facts: sustained 6+ percent growth over decades and military modernization that rivals superpowers.

To assert its place, India should amplify indigenous innovation, from thorium reactors to AI-driven defense, while forging alliances that prioritize mutual prosperity.

The new world order isn't predefined—it's being co-created. India, with its economic dynamism, military might, and diplomatic finesse, must step forward intuitively, not just participating but leading. By doing so, it ensures a multipolar world that reflects the aspirations of billions, securing peace and progress for all.