The Sovereign Voice
(Winning Essay Entry: February 2026)
***
India's Security Preparedness in a Multipolar Era
Harmeet Kaur
Research Scholar,
International Relations, Delhi
The global strategic environment is characterized by
dispersed power across multiple geopolitical centres, fundamentally reshaping
international relations. This multipolar order; dominated by US-China
competition, resurgent Russia, and emerging middle powers; has fundamentally
altered traditional security paradigms. India faces complex challenges
maintaining security while preserving strategic autonomy, engaging multiple
power centres based on national interests.
Doctrinal Evolution: From Reactive to Proactive
India's security doctrine has evolved significantly
from primarily reactive to proactive and multi-dimensional. Following the June
2020 Galwan Valley clash (20 Indian casualties) and prolonged Ladakh standoff,
emphasis on conventional deterrence has intensified. The 2017 Joint Doctrine
prioritizes deterrence, quick response, and multi-domain preparedness across
land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains.
Despite this assertiveness, India maintains defensive
realism, eschewing formal alliances while engaging pragmatic partnerships; exemplified
by Quad participation and foundational defence agreements with Washington
(LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA).
Continental Security: The Two-Front Challenge
Continental security remains paramount given
simultaneous challenges from Pakistan and China; a predicament no other major
power confronts. Pakistan tensions include cross-border terrorism (2019 Pulwama
attack killing 40 personnel), while China's assertiveness along the
3,488-kilometer Line of Actual Control presents dual challenges.
India's response includes 50,000 additional troops
deployed to Ladakh since 2020, accelerated border infrastructure development,
and military restructuring. The December 2019 appointment of India's first
Chief of Defence Staff marked historic tri-service integration. Ongoing
reorganization into integrated theatre commands aims to enhance operational
efficiency, though implementation faces coordination challenges.
Maritime Domain: Expanding Blue-Water Ambitions
Maritime security has assumed critical importance as
geopolitical competition manifests in the Indo-Pacific. India's strategic
location astride vital sea lanes; including Malacca Strait through which 80% of
energy imports transit; necessitates robust maritime capabilities.
September 2022's INS Vikrant commissioning; India's
first indigenous aircraft carrier; represents a major milestone. The Navy
operates P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft enhancing anti-submarine
warfare. Submarine modernization continues under Project-75 (six Kalvari-class
boats) and planned Project-75I. Nuclear submarine development has produced INS
Arihant and INS Arighaat, providing credible sea-based nuclear deterrence.
India participates in multilateral naval initiatives; Quad-sponsored
MALABAR exercises, bilateral exercises with France and UK; demonstrating
commitment to regional maritime security without formal alliances.
Military Modernization: The Indigenization Imperative
Military modernization constitutes a critical pillar,
as India remains the world's second-largest arms importer with 60-65% import
dependency. The May 2020 "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative pursues
indigenous defence production through raising FDI caps to 74%, publishing
indigenization lists of 411 restricted items, and establishing Defence
Industrial Corridors.
Defence budget for FY 2024-25 stands at $72.6 billion,
ranking third globally, with $27.4 billion capital expenditure. DRDO has
achieved missile technology successes; BrahMos cruise missile, Agni ballistic
missiles, K-15 submarine-launched missiles. Indigenous Tejas aircraft has
entered service, though production delays persist. Critical dependencies remain
in jet engines, advanced electronics, and artillery systems. Procurement
timelines extend beyond schedules, exemplifying ongoing acquisition challenges.
Strategic Partnerships: Flexible Alignment
Rather than rigid alliances compromising strategic
autonomy, India pursues issue-specific partnerships. US defence cooperation has
expanded, with India designated Major Defence Partner in 2016 facilitating
technology sharing. The Russia relationship faces strain due to Moscow-Beijing
ties and Western sanctions, exemplified by delayed S-400 delivery. However,
India resisted pressure to cancel the $5.4 billion contract.
France engagement has intensified through Rafale
acquisition (36 aircraft) and Scorpene cooperation. Israel partnerships focus
on precision weaponry and missile defence.
Emerging Domains: Cyber, Space, and Information
Emerging domains increasingly shape security
requirements. With 900 million internet users, cyber threats escalate. The
Defence Cyber Agency coordinates military cyber operations, though capability
gaps persist. India demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities through March 2019
Mission Shakti. The Defence Space Agency coordinates military space operations.
Over 50 operational satellites underpin military operations from intelligence
to precision strike.
Information warfare through disinformation campaigns
poses challenges requiring whole-of-government responses.
Nuclear Posture and Internal Security
India's nuclear posture maintains credible minimum
deterrence with No First Use policy. The Strategic Forces Command manages the
nuclear triad comprising land-based Agni missiles, submarine-launched K-series
missiles, and air-delivered weapons. Internal security remains integral, with
left-wing extremism declining; affected districts dropped from 106 in 2010 to
45 in 2023. Integration of paramilitary forces with military intelligence
prevents adversary exploitation.
Conclusion: Sustaining Strategic Autonomy
India's security preparedness depends on synthesizing
military capability, diplomatic agility, and economic resilience. Strategic
autonomy means engaging multiple power centres based on national interests
rather than rigid alignments. Challenges are substantial: technological gaps,
procurement delays, budgetary constraints, and managing simultaneous
continental and maritime threats while developing cyber and space capabilities.
Yet India's strategic position; astride critical sea lanes, with the world's
fifth-largest economy and third-largest military; provides the foundation.
The multipolar era offers opportunities alongside
challenges. India's commitment to strategic autonomy positions it uniquely to
shape regional security architecture while avoiding bloc politics constraints.
Success requires military capability, diplomatic skill, economic strength, and
institutional resilience to execute complex modernization programs amid rapid
technological change and evolving strategic threats.
***
Call
for Essay: March 2026 Issue
Securing
the Blue Frontier: India’s Role as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean
The Indian
Ocean is no longer just a "zone of peace" or a transit corridor; it
is the centre of gravity for global geoeconomics and a primary theatre of
strategic contestation. With 90% of India's trade and 80% of its energy imports
moving through these waters, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is India’s most
critical strategic geography.
Seema
Sanghosh English
invites original and analytically rigorous essays on the theme “Securing the
Blue Frontier: India’s Role as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean.”
This call
comes at a pivotal moment. The recent adoption of Vision MAHASAGAR
(Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and
India’s leadership in the International Fleet Review 2026 underscore New
Delhi’s commitment to a "free, open, and inclusive" maritime order.
Contributors are encouraged to examine how India is transitioning from a
regional naval power to a reliable global anchor for maritime peace.
Submission
Guidelines
- Word Limit: 700 words.
- Originality: Submissions must be original,
unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
- Accuracy: Essays must be factually
accurate and based on credible sources (citations where necessary).
- Format: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx),
Times New Roman, 12pt.
Deadline
& Submission
- Last Date: 5 March 2026
- Email: eng.sanghosh@gmail.com
Please
include the author’s name, affiliation (if any), and a brief biographical note
(50–70 words).
Publication
The
winning essay will be published in the March 2026 issue of the magazine.
Seema Sanghosh English: February 2026
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