With US tariffs casting a shadow, Modi–Putin talks, rising BRICS influence, oil trade resilience, and fifth-generation fighter ambitions, India positions itself as a defense and economic powerhouse in a shifting multipolar world.
As global power equations shift, India finds itself at the center of a multipolar realignment. With China and Russia consolidating their positions and the West tightening its grip through tariffs and trade restrictions, the question is whether India can build a defense sector powerful enough to stand on its own while also strengthening its economic and strategic independence.
In recent years, India has made unmatched strides in its defense industry. Indigenous platforms like the Akashteer air defense system are being inducted, providing real-time command-and-control capability with artificial intelligence and satellite integration. The BrahMos missile program has extended its reach to nearly 800 kilometers, while a hypersonic version is under development. Plans for the Future Ready Combat Vehicle point to a generational upgrade of the Army’s armored strength. With defense exports crossing ₹21,000 crore last year, India has moved from being a largely import-dependent country to one that can also project strength abroad.
The defense build-up extends into space and cyber domains. India has cleared a 52-satellite constellation that will dramatically improve land and maritime surveillance by 2027. The SpaDeX mission earlier this year successfully carried out satellite docking in orbit, a breakthrough that paves the way for advanced servicing and space station ambitions. Reusable launch vehicle experiments are also progressing, lowering the cost of access to orbit. At the same time, missions like Aditya-L1 and the Indo-US NISAR project are enhancing India’s scientific and strategic edge in space-based observation and weather prediction, all of which carry military implications.
But these advancements are unfolding under the shadow of economic pressure. The United States has imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports and oil transactions linked to Russia, creating turbulence in the markets. The rupee has fallen to record lows, but India’s economy continues to grow, making it one of the fastest-expanding major economies in the world. Oil traffic is central to this dynamic: India has become one of the largest buyers of Russian crude, rerouting its energy supplies despite Western disapproval. By diversifying imports from multiple partners, New Delhi has demonstrated that it will not allow Western traffic rules to dictate its energy policy.
Diplomatically, India is playing a careful balancing act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming the “special and privileged” partnership even as Washington increases pressure. Modi’s visit to the SCO summit in China, his first in seven years, underlines New Delhi’s willingness to engage with Beijing in a multipolar setting. At the same time, the Indo-Pacific dimension of India’s strategy remains strong. Support from Australia and Japan has reinforced maritime security, joint exercises, and regional stability. Both partners have made clear that they see India as an essential counterweight to rising challenges in the region.
The Indian Air Force is also looking to the future with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft program, designed to deliver a fifth-generation fighter jet. This project reflects India’s determination to achieve parity with the world’s leading air powers, an essential step if India is to maintain control of its skies in future conflicts.
At the global level, India’s growing voice in BRICS highlights its strategic intent. With discussions underway on alternative currency mechanisms, the bloc is exploring ways to reduce reliance on the US dollar. For India, this aligns with its goal of building economic and financial sovereignty alongside its defense and diplomatic strength.
As the Modi government navigates tariff wars with the US, strengthens energy ties with Russia, and builds regional partnerships with countries like Australia and Japan, India is clearly preparing for a future where self-reliance and multipolar engagement go hand in hand. The country’s growing economy, expanding defense production, oil trade resilience, and global diplomatic outreach point toward a new era.
India is not simply reacting to global pressures—it is shaping its own path. With indigenous defense manufacturing, a bold push in space and cyber technologies, the pursuit of fifth-generation fighters, and economic adaptability in the face of Western tariffs, New Delhi is positioning itself as a rising force capable of charting an independent course in the 21st century.
