Can India Become A Superpower?

 A Superpower can be defined as a powerful and influential state that possesses military and economic might, as well as general influence vastly superior to that of other states.

Superpowers are countries that cannot be ignored on a world stage. No international crisis can be resolved without the cooperation of a superpower. These states derive their power from 4 key elements: military, economic, political, and cultural superiority. To identify the challenges that lie on India’s path to becoming a superpower, we must examine India’s current standing at a global level.

 

Military Standing:

Military power structures world politics and thus possessing a strong military is crucial for any superpower. India fares well in this aspect- a study by defence website ‘Military Direct’ revealed that India has the 4th strongest armed forces in the world, after China, the US, and Russia.
 

However, mounting tensions with China and changes in the global environment demand changes in Indian outlook to meet future challenges. According to CDS General Bipin Rawat - preparing for cyber threats, jointness among the three services, integration of civil and military technology, and building a symbiotic relationship between internal and external security are crucial to address present and future threats to India’s security.

 

Economic Condtions:

Strong and stable economies allow for greater standards of living and are vital markers of a superpower. India has made significant efforts to improve her economy post-Independence through moves such as Liberalization. In 2011, India became the world’s third largest economy by GDP. In 2015, India overtook China to become the fastest growing economy in the world. In 2020 however, India was pushed back to becoming the 6th largest economy by GDP after the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and a series of harsh lockdowns. 

 

India’s GDP shrank by 7.3% during the financial year 2020-21, the most severe contraction since independence. Despite the downturn, India at a growth of 8.2% is set to become the world’s fastest growing major economy once again according to the IMF.

 

The wealth disparity in India is massive and was only exacerbated by the pandemic. Household spending has fallen, plunging the economy into a demand deficiency. 

 

Schemes to support weak groups are thus important to revitalize the economy. The spike in government expenditure can be cushioned by gains from taxing petroleum, oil and lubricants, Reserve Bank transfers and an increase in income tax revenue.

 

Political Power:

Politically, a superpower must be able to influence the policy of other countries through dominance of negotiations. India is the world’s largest democracy, and this has improved its relations with other democratic nations. An active member of the WTO and the Commonwealth, she has close military and strategic ties with France, Russia, the US, and Japan.

Despite this, India still does not hold a permanent position in the United Nations Security Council. During her term as a non-permanent member, policymakers must bring new, compelling arguments to the table to justify India’s inclusion as a permanent member.

 

Cultural Heritage And Influence:

Finally cultural, or soft power is the ability to influence the beliefs, ideology, and way of life in other countries. This can be achieved through dominance of media and cultural products.
India’s cultural contributions are significant and are represented through her vibrant cultural and civilisational heritage. However, the common perception of India continues to be a land of poverty and slums, our only truly celebrated cultural export being the Taj Mahal and Rajput forts. Hidden wonders of India need to be promoted, and more importantly preserved.
 

India has many obstacles to face on her road to becoming a superpower. We are still a land of contradictions, where slums hide in the shadows of gleaming skyscrapers, millions die of malnutrition even as food is casually discarded, and matrimonial columns asking for “fair, upper-class woman” can exist in the heart of modern, urban India. 

At the same time, we are also a land of breath-taking beauty and unmatched diversity, where a billion people of every major religion, speaking more than 1000 languages, each with their unique identity and customs co-exist, bound by a common dream for our motherland. India is a young country, with a young population that is ready to take the future by storm- no matter what challenges lie ahead.

 

Written By: Devi Sankhla