Asia dominated the global stage in the third quarter of 2021. The unexpected return of Taliban in Afghanistan, the changed dynamics of geo-political landscape in the Af-Pak region, the ongoing tense border situation between India and China, AUKUS, the first in-person Quad summit and China’s burgeoning threat on Taiwan and the ongoing Sino-US confrontation have kept both the media and experts busy with interpretative acrobatics.
For India, the last three months have been challenging but rife with opportunities to accelerate its economic growth. It has seen India emerge as a reliable hub of manufacturing as well as a geography that offers resolution of global supply chain woes. India has now to act with precision and move in the right direction, for the world knows—India matters in the emerging world order.
Celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav, the future roadmap for India’s vibrant story should focus on ways and means to strengthen its strategic autonomy and enhance military capabilities through indigenous efforts, and set in motion technology-driven economic progress to achieve self-reliance.
The start has been made. With right intent, focus and out-of-the-box thinking, efforts are on track to revive the sluggish pandemic-hit economy, uplift the confidence of industry and ensure that the ongoing reforms in military affairs continue and the domestic defence industry thrives.
The recent C-295 Airbus-Tata contract, a slew of defence orders to start-ups, SMEs and MSMEs and their hand-holding by the armed forces to further improvise their tech innovations skills and R&D have been encouraging. The government should now further strive to realise the power of collaborative economics ably supported by the competitive and consensual political landscape as these are imperative issues for the domination by Brand India.
Looking into the future, India will have to be on high alert, well prepared to confront security threats as China remains its biggest challenge regionally and globally. The yawning gap between India and global powers in technology, economic and military power should be addressed with prioritised urgency.
With the Indo-Pacific region continuing to be at the forefront of the great power rivalry, India finds itself positioned in the centre and drawn into the new competitive dynamics as an emerging power. As the first steps, India needs to have in place a National Security Doctrine, a revamped foreign policy, and an ambitious yet pragmatic space policy.
Witnessing the immense flux in the world order, without doubt, it is now a high stakes game as India finds itself seated at the high table. The challenge is to play it well.
Team Raksha Anirveda too was intensely engaged during this quarter, its effort saw realisation of two web features in August and September. Hope that the forthcoming October-December edition, with its colourful blend of content and special focus on Indian Air Force (IAF) will find wider acceptance among readers, policy makers, armed forces and industry.
Raksha Anirveda congratulates Indian Air Force on its 89th Foundation Day and extends its best wishes to IAF fraternity – keep your spirits of bounce high and continue to touch the skies with glory.
Jai Hind!!
