India Must Rise—Not as a Dependent Ally, But as a Sovereign Force

Recent developments in U.S. foreign policy have laid bare a sobering truth: India is no longer viewed as a strategic partner by Washington. According to veteran foreign policy expert Ashley Tellis, President Donald Trump’s administration now sees India as just another economic rival—not a priority, not a counterweight to China, but a competitor in the global marketplace.

This shift is not merely rhetorical. The imposition of tariffs on branded Indian pharmaceutical products, the dismantling of the H-1B visa framework, and the push to outsource talent rather than integrate it into the U.S. workforce all point to a structural change in how America sees India. The $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions wasn’t just a policy tweak—it was a signal. As Tellis puts it, “Trump thinks of the entire world as economic rivals of the United States. That changes everything”.

🇮🇳 India’s Response: Strength from Within

In light of this recalibration, my view is clear: India must become a very strong country by itself. And under the present leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I believe we are capable of doing so.

India’s strength must no longer be measured by its proximity to global powers, but by its ability to stand tall—economically, militarily, and diplomatically. The time for strategic hand-holding is over. What lies ahead is a test of self-reliance and national resolve.

🌍 The Global Chessboard: Allies and Illusions

We must also reassess our assumptions about traditional allies. Russia, while historically reliable, is no longer as secure as it once was. Its economic position is deteriorating steadily, and its global influence is under strain. China, on the other hand, has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted.

I also remember the then Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru—who died of a heart attack on 27 May 1964 following India’s defeat—once confided in Defence Minister Krishna Menon that he was suspicious of China and feared they could deceive India at any time. And that is exactly what happened.

I remember the slogan from my youth—“Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai.” It echoed with hope. But that hope was shattered in 1962, and again in recent years during the border standoff. China’s actions have made it clear: their friendship is transactional, their strategy opaque, and their ambitions expansionist.

Even our immediate neighbors—Pakistan, China, Nepal, and Bangladesh—have become increasingly hostile or unpredictable. The regional landscape is fraught with tension, and India must be prepared to defend its interests with clarity and strength.

🛡️ The Path Forward: Economic and Military Resilience

India’s solution must be swift and strategic. Economically, we must invest in indigenous innovation, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Militarily, we must modernize our forces, secure our borders, and build deterrence that commands respect.

This is not a call for aggression—it is a call for preparedness. For dignity. For a future where India’s strength is not borrowed, but built.

🧭 Conclusion: A Nation at the Crossroads

The world is changing, and so must we. The U.S. may no longer see us as a strategic ally. Russia may falter. China may deceive. But India must endure—and rise.

We must define our place not by how others treat us, but by how we treat ourselves. With courage, clarity, and conviction.

Let the world recalibrate. India must not wait. The time to act is now.