India and Emerging Powers

Introduction

India is an important emerging global power whose international significance derives from its population, economic scale, geographic position, military capabilities, technological development, diplomatic relationships and role in the Global South.

The concept of Emerging Powers refers to states whose economic, political, technological or strategic capabilities are increasing sufficiently to give them greater influence in regional and global affairs.

India is frequently studied alongside other emerging powers because it combines substantial domestic capabilities with an increasingly broad international diplomatic role.

Core Concepts

Emerging Power
A state whose economic, political, technological or strategic capabilities are expanding and whose influence is increasing.

Rising Power
A state experiencing sustained growth in capabilities relative to other states.

Indian Power
The combination of India’s economic, military, demographic, technological, diplomatic and geographic resources.

Strategic Autonomy
The ability to make foreign-policy decisions without excessive dependence on any single external power.

Demographic Power

India has a very large population and a substantial working-age population.

Demography can contribute to national power through:

• labour supply
• consumer markets
• human capital
• military recruitment
• innovation
• domestic demand

Demography does not automatically produce power, however. Its effect depends on education, health, employment, productivity and institutional capacity.

Economic Power

India’s economic power is based on:

• large domestic markets
• services
• manufacturing
• information technology
• pharmaceuticals
• agriculture
• infrastructure
• entrepreneurship

Information Technology

India has developed substantial capabilities in:

• software
• information technology services
• digital payments
• telecommunications
• digital public infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to foundational digital systems that support public and private services.

India’s experience with digital identity, payments and public digital platforms has become an important subject in discussions of technology and development.

Manufacturing and Industrial Policy

India has sought to strengthen manufacturing capacity through industrial policies and investment initiatives.

Strategic sectors include:

• electronics
• pharmaceuticals
• automobiles
• defence production
• renewable energy
• semiconductors

Pharmaceutical Power

India has a major pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

Its international significance includes:

• generic medicines
• pharmaceutical production
• vaccine manufacturing
• healthcare supply chains

Military Power

India maintains significant military capabilities across:

• land forces
• naval forces
• air power
• missile systems
• nuclear forces
• space capabilities

Nuclear Power

India possesses nuclear weapons and maintains a nuclear deterrent.

Its nuclear policy is closely connected with:

• strategic deterrence
• regional security
• relations with Pakistan
• relations with China
• global non-proliferation debates

Indian Ocean Power

India’s geographical position gives it an important role in the Indian Ocean.

The region is important because of:

• maritime trade
• energy routes
• ports
• sea lanes
• strategic chokepoints

Maritime Security

India’s maritime interests include:

• protection of sea lanes
• naval capabilities
• coastal security
• maritime domain awareness
• regional partnerships

Indo-Pacific

India is a major actor in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

Its approach emphasizes:

• maritime security
• connectivity
• regional partnerships
• freedom of navigation
• economic cooperation
• strategic autonomy

QUAD

India is a member of the QUAD, alongside Australia, Japan and the United States.

The grouping provides a platform for diplomatic and practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

India and China

India-China relations involve both cooperation and strategic competition.

Major areas include:

• trade
• border issues
• infrastructure
• maritime strategy
• technology
• regional influence

The relationship is central to Asian geopolitics.

India and Pakistan

India-Pakistan relations are shaped by:

• territorial disputes
• security competition
• nuclear deterrence
• trade
• water issues
• terrorism and counterterrorism
• regional diplomacy

The relationship has major implications for South Asian security.

India and the United States

India and the United States have developed extensive cooperation in:

• defence
• technology
• trade
• energy
• Indo-Pacific security
• education

The relationship is frequently examined in the context of changing Asian power dynamics.

India and Russia

India maintains longstanding relations with Russia involving:

• defence
• energy
• diplomacy
• strategic cooperation

India’s relationships with Russia, the United States, Europe and other partners illustrate its emphasis on diversified foreign relations.

Strategic Autonomy

Strategic Autonomy is a major concept in Indian foreign-policy analysis.

It reflects the objective of preserving freedom of action rather than becoming completely aligned with one major power.

Multi-Alignment

Multi-Alignment refers to maintaining productive relationships with multiple major powers simultaneously.

It differs from traditional alliance politics because the state seeks cooperation across several strategic partnerships without necessarily joining a single opposing bloc.

Non-Alignment

Non-Alignment historically referred to the policy associated with the Non-Aligned Movement.

Contemporary Indian diplomacy is often discussed in terms of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment rather than simply reproducing the Cold War concept of non-alignment.

Global South Leadership

India presents itself as an important voice of the Global South.

Its diplomacy frequently addresses:

• development
• food security
• energy
• climate finance
• technology
• representation in global institutions

BRICS

India is a founding participant in the BRICS grouping.

BRICS provides a platform for cooperation among major emerging and developing economies.

G20

India is an important member of the G20 and has used the forum to engage in discussions concerning:

• global economic governance
• development
• technology
• climate
• infrastructure
• Global South concerns

SCO

India is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, providing another platform for interaction with major Eurasian powers.

Space Power

India has developed important space capabilities through its national space programme.

Areas include:

• satellite communications
• navigation
• remote sensing
• launch capabilities
• planetary exploration
• space science

Technology Power

India’s technology capabilities extend beyond information technology into:

• space
• pharmaceuticals
• digital infrastructure
• telecommunications
• artificial intelligence
• advanced manufacturing

Emerging Power Versus Great Power

An Emerging Power is a state whose capabilities and international influence are expanding.

A Great Power is generally understood as a state possessing substantial capabilities and sustained influence across international affairs.

The categories can overlap, but they are not identical.

Regional Power

Regional Power refers to a state possessing significant influence within its geographical region.

India is frequently studied as a major South Asian and Indian Ocean power.

Global Power

A Global Power possesses capabilities and relationships enabling it to influence international affairs across multiple regions.

The transition from regional to global influence is one of the central questions in studies of emerging powers.

Key Distinctions

Key Terms at a Glance

India, Emerging Power, Rising Power, Strategic Autonomy, Multi-Alignment, Non-Alignment, Regional Power, Global Power, Demographic Power, Economic Power, Information Technology, Digital Public Infrastructure, Pharmaceutical Power, Military Power, Nuclear Deterrence, Indian Ocean, Maritime Security, Indo-Pacific, QUAD, India-China Relations, India-Pakistan Relations, India-US Relations, India-Russia Relations, BRICS, G20, SCO, Space Power, Global South

Related Glossaries

• United States and American Power
• China and the Rise of China
• Japan and East Asian Powers
• India-Pakistan Relations
• India-China Strategic Competition
• Indo-Pacific Strategy and Rivalries
• Indian Ocean Geopolitics
• Global South and Emerging Powers
• Nuclear Deterrence and Strategic Stability
• Regional Organizations and Strategic Groupings

Conclusion

India’s emergence as a major international actor reflects the interaction of demography, economic growth, technology, military capabilities, geography, diplomacy and strategic autonomy.

Its importance extends beyond South Asia because India is simultaneously an Indian Ocean power, an Indo-Pacific actor, a participant in major global groupings and an increasingly important voice in Global South diplomacy.