10 hours Ago By TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday highlighted the challenges posed by China's rise as a dominant economic and strategic force, stating that it hampers India’s ability to position itself as the natural leader of the Global South. Speaking at the fourth General Bipin Rawat Memorial Lecture in Delhi, General Dwivedi pointed out the increasing competition and complexity created by China's expanding influence. He suggested that India should explore opportunities in Africa, recognising it as a potential power centre in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
“The rise of China as a dominant economic and strategic force adds complexity, creates competition, and hampers India's effort to be the natural leader for the Global South,” he said. Discussing India’s global standing, General Dwivedi noted the obstacles the country faces in influencing key international decisions despite its demographic and strategic advantages. “With the democratic shift and resource control race, we need to look at possibilities of Africa as a future power centre.
.. India’s position will remain pivotal due to its geography, demography, democracy, prosperity, soft power, and inclusive approach.
.. India, despite having the largest population, largest democracy, 7th largest land mass, and a geostrategic location, continues to remain at a relatively lower global standing,” he stated.
He also pointed to international roadblocks that have limited India’s influence, referencing setbacks faced by BRICS and the resistance from the Trump administration towards its financial initiatives. “We have been repeatedly blocked, leaving us with little ability to shape key international decisions directly. Even BRICS has faced setbacks.
.. Its purported attempt to upend the mighty US dollar has invited an open pushback from the Trump administration.
In light of the same, we need to closely watch SCO ( Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ),” he said. Emphasising the role of emerging technologies in national security, General Dwivedi underscored the need for technological advancements to enhance India's strategic deterrence. “Security is about wholesome capability to wage war and deter war.
Healthy military-civil fusion, Aatm Nirbhar defence industrial base, dual-use assets at the national level, well-informed and empowered decision-makers of time framework, and inclusive approach for citizen warriors play a pivotal role,” he said. “Technology prowess has become the new currency of deterrence. Data has become the new capital of trade and security,” he added.
He also spoke about the significance of anti-colonial alliances in shaping a stable global order. “I imagine what Gen Rawat would have said had he been required to give us some guidelines on the envisaged role of India in the emerging security paradigm in the centrality of security forces, anti-colonial allies champion multi-world order and bandwagoning of nations helps prevent conflict. Thus, be a part of all frameworks like SCO, BRICS, BIMSTEC, Indian Ocean Regional Association, etc,” he said.
General Dwivedi called for India to strengthen its role in global governance, advocating for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and greater involvement in international conflict resolution. “Reform the UN Security Council to include global South representatives. Play an active role in conflict resolution as a negotiator or a mediator.
Harness the positive strength of the Indian diaspora the world over for humanitarian causes. Share a common platform for global commerce, enable the emergence of the global South, be the leader in sharing additional resources with the have-nots for better socioeconomic development,” he said. He also stressed India’s leadership in peacekeeping operations and counterterrorism efforts, reaffirming the military’s alignment with national priorities.
“Lead peacekeeping operations, advocate nuclear weapons as a political asset only for deterrent purposes as long as possible, lead GWOT ( Global War on Terrorism ) by virtue of facing it firsthand in J&K, the northeast, and against left-wing extremism; I would like to assure you that the Indian Army remains aligned and integrated with the nation,” he added..
