India’s accelerating economic and technological advancement could soon make it a defining “third pole” in an increasingly multipolar world, said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former foreign secretary and current Rajya Sabha member. Speaking at the Pune International Centre, Shringla cautioned that India must not allow its strategic influence to diminish, particularly as global power equations appear to be shifting toward a G2 model led by the United States and China.
He pointed out that the idea of a G2 framework—where Washington and Beijing jointly steer major international issues—was earlier hinted at by former US President Donald Trump before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. To maintain its global standing, Shringla emphasized, India must deepen self-reliance and expand its domestic capacity across key industries.
He identified semiconductors, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and rare earth minerals as vital sectors that could determine the nation’s future competitiveness. India, he said, should not only focus on economic and industrial self-sufficiency but also aim to become a global leader in technology and innovation. Shringla highlighted the upcoming Global AI Summit as a milestone event where India could play a decisive role in shaping international governance frameworks for emerging technologies.
Elaborating on India’s diplomatic strengths, Shringla said that New Delhi’s power lies in its ability to forge durable relationships across varied geopolitical regions—the United States, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South. These partnerships, he noted, rest on shared democratic ideals, technological collaboration, robust trade ties, and mutual security concerns.
He reaffirmed India’s “Neighborhood First” policy, emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation with West Asia, Southeast Asia, and other developing nations. Turning to India’s strategic environment, Shringla underscored the evolving face of modern warfare—where cyber capabilities, drones, and digital tools increasingly shape both military and diplomatic outcomes.
To preserve and expand its influence, he stressed, India must maintain economic resilience, invest in strategic deterrence, and leverage skilled diplomacy. As global power structures evolve, he concluded, India’s blend of innovation, democratic strength, and global partnerships positions it as a vital stabilizing force in the emerging world order.
