Editorial: From the Watchtower

The turning point in the Indian strategic posture was in December 2025. New Delhi redoubled the quest of strategic independence, but not rhetorically, but through measured realism. The 23rd India-Russia Summit sealed a long-lasting economic and defence arrangement a strong message that India will defend its lasting partnerships, on its own terms, without considering external pressures. This was consolidated by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Oman that guaranteed India preferential trade treatment and reinforced their presence on the sea in the Strait of Hormuz an energy vital and sea-lane security channel in the Western Indian Ocean.

Defence policy at home was approaching a technological plateau. The implementation of the Mission Sudarshan Chakra marked the move towards the multi-layered architecture of Indian security which is AI-enabled. Supported by a 79,000-crore procurement package of home-grown drones and state-of-the-art surveillance, the transition reflected a break of its dependence-led defence acquisition towards the actual capability possession and technological sovereignty.

The inflection points of internal security also occurred. Through the destruction of the insurgent networks and the Red Corridor being neutralized, India was getting closer to its goal of a Naxal-free state by the first half of 2026. This merging has freed the strategic bandwidth and resources to project external power. Along with an updated maritime doctrine, India is now a plausible net security provider capable of protecting its interests both on land, on the sea, in cyber and space increasingly with more insight and cohesion.

 

-Dr. Shreesh Kumar Pathak

Editor

  Seema Sanghosh English: January 2026