India’s global stature is rising at an unprecedented pace, with major world powers deepening their strategic and economic ties with the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
A recent Project Syndicate commentary highlights India’s expanding role in international diplomacy, marked by high-profile engagements with global leaders and a growing presence in multilateral forums.
In a significant development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that her first official foreign visit of her second term would be to India. On the same day, newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held his first bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
India’s growing prominence was further underscored during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Washington, where he described the outcome as a “mega partnership” with the United States.
“As part of this partnership, Modi committed to doubling trade with the US by 2030, increasing oil and gas imports, and expanding US military sales to India,” Project Syndicate noted.
With 1.4 billion people and a median age of 29.8 years, India has a younger population compared to the US (38.9), China (40.2), and the European Union (44.5). This youthful workforce, coupled with a booming information and communications technology (ICT) sector, is fueling rapid economic expansion.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects India’s GDP to grow by 6.5% this year, with expectations that India will surpass Japan and Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030.
Historically overlooked by Western powers, India is now at the center of a major global realignment. As Project Syndicate explains, “America’s ‘unipolar moment’ has given way to an era of great-power competition, with emerging economies demanding a more inclusive multilateral system.”
In this evolving landscape, the US and Europe increasingly view India as a crucial strategic partner.
India continues to embrace a balanced foreign policy, rooted in its history as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement. During the Cold War, India navigated relationships with both the US and the Soviet Union, a strategy it maintains today to secure its economic and strategic interests.
Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has taken on greater global responsibilities. In 2023, India held the presidency of both the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It remains a key player in BRICS, which has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE.
While China and Russia often advocate for disruptive changes to the global order, India prefers a reformist approach, positioning itself as a stabilizing force in international affairs.
India’s evolving role is also shaped by its complex relationship with China. While both nations engage in some multilateral efforts, ongoing border disputes and strategic competition in the Global South add tension.
To counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India has partnered with the US and Europe on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, aimed at strengthening global trade and supply chains.
Additionally, India remains a vital member of the Quad alliance, alongside the US, Japan, and Australia. Officially focused on maritime security and economic cooperation, the Quad is widely seen as a counterbalance to China’s Indo-Pacific ambitions.
As Project Syndicate notes, “It is thanks to India—a rising ‘Southern’ power—that the Quad is not perceived as merely another Western-led initiative.”
PM Modi has emphasized India’s democratic heritage, presenting democracy as intrinsic to Indian civilization rather than a Western import. This aligns India with middle powers seeking a redefined global governance system that better represents emerging economies.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has led India through a transformative era, steering the country towards a more assertive global role. While his leadership has sparked debates over India’s democratic trajectory, his political dominance remains unchallenged, with three consecutive election victories—a feat previously achieved only by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Amid shifting geopolitics, India is actively shaping the international landscape. As Project Syndicate succinctly puts it:
“India has long had the potential to be a major force in global affairs. Now, it has arrived.”