Building upon the deep-seated intellectual and cultural foundations of its ancient past, modern India is rapidly carving out its destiny as a significant global power. The “wings of a new era” are manifest in its burgeoning economy, its strides in indigenous defence capabilities, its globally acclaimed space program, and its increasingly assertive and principled voice on the world stage. This contemporary ascent is fuelled by a potent combination of technological prowess, demographic dynamism, and a national resolve towards self-reliance (‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’).
Economically, India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) consistently showing robust growth (for instance, projections for FY2024-25 indicate growth of around 7%, with similar positive outlooks maintained into mid-2025 by various international agencies), India is a beacon of dynamism in a sometimes-sluggish global economic landscape. This growth is driven by a diverse range of sectors, including services (particularly IT and IT-enabled services, where India is a global leader), manufacturing, and agriculture. Government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ aim to bolster the manufacturing sector, transforming India into a global production hub. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, implemented in 2017, has streamlined indirect taxation, contributing to economic formalisation. Furthermore, a massive push in infrastructure development – including new highways, motorways, airports (like the upcoming Noida International Airport), ports, and dedicated freight corridors – is creating the backbone for sustained economic expansion and improved logistics.
In the realm of defence, India is resolutely pursuing self-reliance to reduce its historical dependence on imported military hardware. The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has given a significant impetus to indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of defence equipment. Key achievements include:
LCA Tejas: The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a testament to India’s aerospace capabilities. The improved Tejas Mark 1A variant, featuring advanced avionics and weaponry, is being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), with significant orders placed. Production capacity is being ramped up, with deliveries accelerating in 2024-2025. The Tejas Mark 2 (Medium Weight Fighter) is in advanced stages of development, with its first flight anticipated in early 2026.
Naval Indigenisation: The commissioning of INS Vikrant in 2022, India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, was a landmark achievement. India now belongs to a select group of nations with this capability. Construction of indigenous destroyers (like the Visakhapatnam-class), frigates (Nilgiri-class), and nuclear submarines (Arihant-class) further underscores naval self-reliance.
Missile Systems: India has developed a comprehensive suite of indigenous missile systems, including the Agni series of ballistic missiles, the Prithvi series, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (a joint venture with Russia), the Akash surface-to-air missile, and anti-tank guided missiles like Nag.
Armoured Vehicles: The Arjun Main Battle Tank and various other armoured vehicles are being indigenously produced. Defence exports have also seen a significant surge, crossing ₹21,000 crore in FY 2023-24 and aiming for higher targets, showcasing India’s growing stature as a defence exporter.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) continues to earn global admiration for its cost-effective and successful space missions. Historic achievements like the Chandrayaan-3 mission (making India the first country to soft-land near the Moon’s south pole in 2023) and the Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission (2014) have demonstrated India’s prowess. The Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first solar observatory, successfully reached its destination in early 2024. Preparations for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, are in full swing, with uncrewed test flights planned leading up to a crewed launch (projected around early 2027). ISRO’s capabilities in satellite launch services (PSLV, GSLV/LVM3 rockets) are also sought after internationally.
India’s demographic dividend, with a large and youthful population, is a significant asset. This young workforce is increasingly skilled and aspirational, driving innovation and entrepreneurship. The startup ecosystem in India is one of the world’s largest, fostering cutting-edge solutions in fintech, e-commerce, health-tech, and other sectors. The ‘Digital India’ initiative is transforming governance and service delivery, promoting digital literacy and connectivity.
On the global stage, India advocates for a multipolar world order, rooted in its policy of strategic autonomy and the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). It plays an active role in international forums like the UN, G20 (successfully hosting the presidency in 2023), Quad, BRICS, and SCO. India has emerged as a strong voice for the Global South, championing issues of climate justice, sustainable development, and equitable global governance.
While challenges remain, modern India, empowered by its economic vitality, technological advancements, defence capabilities, and the immense potential of its people, is confidently charting its course. The “wings of this new era” are propelling the nation towards a future where it is poised to play an even more significant and constructive role in shaping the 21st century.
