India’s rising stature in the geopolitical arena, coupled with its burgeoning economic and military strength, necessitates a strategic rethink in how it perceives and secures its interests. In the present multi-polar world marred with Wars & Trade-wars, the time has come to graduate from ‘Vishwamitra – a token terminology’ to ‘Vishwamitra Doctrine’ which would be a foundational pillar for Viksit Bharat’s national security interests.

Vishwamitra Doctrine: India’s Role in a Changing World

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The term “Vishwamitra” implies as friend of the world, an ancient Bhartiya philosophy that India is increasingly embracing in its geopolitical engagements. The present emergence of India is driven by its economic and technological strengths, with special focus on its defence capability. Also, the country’s external engagements have become independent and assertive in the recent years. Under such a spectrum, a doctrine is necessary which mandates to build enough capability there by securing own interests, deterring conflicts and provide net security in the region. Rather this has been the case historically, where India has been a powerhouse of knowledge, technology, economy and defence. But this prowess dwindled for about past few centuries. However, the country has now unshackled its past and is moving in the right direction to re-establish itself in the global arena. This strategic glidepath needs to be backed up with a doctrine to ensure certain Influence Projection capabilities which would prevent conflicts.

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Forging Strategic Capabilities

India’s commitment to protecting its economic, strategic interests and that of friendly foreign nations, along with ensuring the security of its citizens abroad, requires a credible and reliable defence capability. The Vishwamitra doctrine needs an outreach capability that can be used as a tool for creating buffers. The changing dynamics of global politics, conflicts and........

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