“Can India obtain major power status with adequate international legitimacy in a peaceful manner?“
In the 2023 G20 summit, host nation–India’s aspirational epithet “Vishwa Guru” (Global Leader), used domestically until now, reached the global stage. This quest to secure great power status has been a long-standing ambition for India that shapes its foreign policy, strategic decisions, and diplomatic posture.
In a world with fragmented power structures and crippling international institutions, India’s quest to become a leading power is gaining momentum, as it continues to chart its path amid shifting global alliances and rising geopolitical tensions. While India’s rise on the global stage is widely acknowledged, it remains an unfinished journey. To understand the complexities and challenges of India’s path to great power status, we turn to the work of Prof. T.V. Paul, whose book The Unfinished Quest offers an in-depth analysis of India’s aspirations and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play.
