India’s Military Dependence and the Urgent Need for Strategic Self-Reliance
India cannot truly be considered a free and sovereign nation when its foreign policy, economic independence, and military strength are significantly influenced by external powers. Despite being a nation of over a billion people and a $3 trillion economy, India’s military still heavily depends on other countries—such as Russia, the United States, Western European nations, and Israel—for everything from basic rifles to advanced fighter jets. This level of dependence severely limits our ability to protect national interests without foreign approval, which is a glaring vulnerability for any sovereign state.
This strategic weakness must be viewed as a cumulative leadership failure over the past 70 years. While India has witnessed unprecedented economic growth over the last three decades, that growth has not been matched by proportional investment in military modernization. Even as border threats have increased, successive governments prioritized imports over developing an indigenous defense manufacturing ecosystem. The result is a military that is technologically underprepared and structurally dependent.
Today, the situation is more dire than ever. With an increasingly assertive Communist China and a hostile Pakistan forging stronger military and diplomatic ties, India faces the real risk of being encircled and strategically isolated in South Asia. These two adversaries are actively courting smaller nations—Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives—shifting the balance of power in the region and undermining India’s traditional influence.
In light of these threats, India's current defense spending—approximately 2.5% of GDP—is simply inadequate. To safeguard national sovereignty and regional stability, it is imperative that the government increases this allocation substantially. A defense budget of at least 10% of GDP for the next five years should be considered to support urgent and widespread modernization.
This investment should focus on:
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Accelerating defense procurement while prioritizing domestic manufacturing.
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Expanding research and development in indigenous military technologies.
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Securing technology transfer agreements where needed.
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Building robust defense infrastructure and supply chains across the country.
A strong, self-reliant military does more than just protect borders—it underpins an independent foreign policy, ensures a secure economic environment, and strengthens India’s negotiating position on the global stage. It is the foundation for sustainable growth, national dignity, and long-term regional influence.
The time for half-measures has passed. To secure its future, India must decisively pursue military self-reliance as a cornerstone of its national strategy.
