2025 — The Crucible Year for India’s Global Standing
By Nita Chicooree-Mercier
India harbours lofty ambitions to scale greater heights across all sectors of development to promote its national interests for the benefit of its 1.4 billion people: from pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, related electronics, to high technology, aluminum, military equipment and defence systems, Artificial Intelligence and Space Technology. In a few sectors India is still lagging far behind key global players, namely the United States and China. But by now Indians themselves and the rest of the world have come to recognize that Atmanirbhar Bharat – the vision of a self-reliant India – is far more than an empty slogan.
Notwithstanding its numerous structural and societal flaws: divisive caste mindset, poverty-stricken underdeveloped regions, lingering backwardness and lack of discipline and hygiene, states’ specific political ideologies thriving on division and undermining the Central government’s efforts at building unity, the Indian government under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi remains unfazed in its determination to face domestic challenges, raise the country above petty political politicking, garner nationwide support for its internal policy in a country of hundreds of ethnic identities and more than 50 languages. Addressing India’s internal challenges is a Herculean task, one that would overwhelm even the most capable and well-intentioned leaders in the West or major Asian powers where political unity was historically forged by force and cultural conformity was imposed by coercion. This diversity factor alone sets India apart.
As of today, India’s contribution to global trade is quite insignificant and is characterized by far more imports than exports except in agriculture and the food industry. Hence the importance of Atmanirbhar, the self-reliance policy being strongly pushed forward by the government in several sectors. Despite remarkable progress in Information Technology, India has yet to develop a prominent, home-grown social media network for both domestic and global use. At the same time, the country is making significant advances in other areas. These include the semiconductor industry and Artificial Intelligence, which is being used to connect agricultural businesses in remote areas, as well as in the ubiquitous Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system and in the manufacture and export of military equipment successfully tested recently in Operation Sindoor, enhanced by an agreement on the transfer of technology from Russia. As for the Space Technology programme, the goal of sending Indian astronauts to the moon by 2040 shows that the sky is not the limit in India’s unstoppable growth.
2025 — A Crucial Year for India
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has thrust India into the geopolitical spotlight. Its refusal to take sides in the conflict has caused friction with Western nations, particularly the U.S. and Europe, who’ve criticized its continued purchase of Russian oil. Under the guidance of its Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar, India has defended its stance, emphasizing a multi-alignment policy focused on its own national interests, a position that’s been met with lectures and criticism from the West.
How will the current spat between the US and India unfold? The recent imposition of erratic tariffs by the Trump administration — often applied without prior dialogue — appears to single out India, with a 50% levy on exports, in what seems to be an attempt to exert pressure after similar measures failed to yield results with China. Prime Minister Modi’s long-standing efforts to build a strong partnership with the US since President Trump’s first term in 2016 now face setbacks and a loss of trust due to these tariff changes, compounded by a US policy shift towards supporting Pakistan barely two months after a military confrontation between the two countries.
2025 is a year of pivotal importance for India, as it juggles a policy of engaging multiple partners without being beholden to any. It demonstrates resilience in managing the erosion of mutual respect in its valuable partnerships with the US and Europe, addresses the threat of nuclear escalation from its uneasy neighbour, strengthens ties within the BRICS bloc, challenges the West’s moral high ground in global politics, and asserts its independence by procuring military equipment from Russia while fostering strategic cooperation with Israel. India’s robust independence is underpinned by its economic strength, political influence, and military capability — three pillars that firmly establish its role on the stage of global powers.
On its 78th National Day, India continues to pursue a path of comprehensive progress, combining economic ambition, political acumen, and technological prowess. The country remains determined to assert its independence, strengthen global partnerships on its own terms, and realize the full potential of its 1.4 billion citizens.
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 15 August 2025
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