India's Security Preparedness in a Multipolar Era

 

The Sovereign Voice

(Winning Essay Entry: February 2026)

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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.

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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.

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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