Prof. Mahesh Chand Gupta
The world is no longer just a map of separate countries. It has become a system where any disturbance anywhere affects every corner of the world. Recently, the tension between Iran, the USA, and Israel has once again shown this reality. Earlier, the Russia-Ukraine war also taught us that wars do not remain limited to one region. Their effects go beyond borders.
India is not directly involved in the USA-Israel-Iran conflict, but its impact is clearly visible here. Instability in petrol and LPG supply, shutdown of small industries, and impact on exports show that we are also bearing the burden of global instability. The world has become so connected that people often call it a “global village.” If there is fire on one wall of a house, people sitting near another wall will also feel the heat. That is why tensions between Iran, the USA, and Israel are not limited to war zones—they have reached our kitchens, markets, and small businesses.
India follows a policy of peace, but its deep involvement in the global system makes it impossible to avoid such impacts. Whether it is a tea seller or a sweet shop owner, everyone is feeling the effect. Delay in gas cylinder booking is no longer just an inconvenience—it is affecting daily income. The main reason is our dependence on other countries for basic needs. The big question is: have we become so dependent that any global disturbance shakes our own stability?
It is true that a large part of our energy needs is fulfilled through imported oil and gas. When tensions rise in the Gulf region, supply chains get affected, and this directly impacts our homes. This dependence is not only economic but also a strategic weakness. And the issue is not limited to energy. India’s industrial and agricultural systems also depend on global supply in many ways. From edible oil to fertilizers, electronics to defense equipment, we are not fully self-reliant. This becomes more worrying when global crises last longer.
We remember the long queues for petrol and diesel during the Iraq war decades ago. A similar situation is now feared again. Not only imports, but exports are also getting affected. Products like Bikaneri bhujia, bananas from Maharashtra, textiles, and seafood are facing difficulties reaching international markets. Bananas exported daily in large quantities are now stuck at ports. Bhujia exports are also affected. Due to unsafe sea routes and increased costs, traders are suffering losses. This is not just about goods—it is about the livelihood of millions.
In the discussion of self-reliance, the field of information technology is often ignored, though it is very important for both the economy and national security. India has progressed digitally, but its digital infrastructure still depends heavily on foreign technology. Mobile operating systems, cloud services, and server systems are controlled by foreign companies. In case of global tensions or restrictions, this dependence can become risky. Even social media, search engines, and data storage platforms are foreign-owned, raising concerns about data security and digital independence.
At the same time, the lack of original innovation in India is also a concern. Despite strength in IT services, India is still behind in research and patents. Low investment in research and development is a major reason. Therefore, promoting technological innovation is necessary for self-reliance. Self-reliance does not mean cutting off from the world—it means becoming strong enough to reduce the impact of global shocks.
Today, the question is not whether India should reduce global trade, but whether our internal foundation is strong enough to handle external shocks.
The need of the time is to move towards alternative energy sources. Solar and wind energy are not just environmental issues anymore—they are also the base of economic stability. Similarly, strengthening the manufacturing sector, supporting small industries with technology and finance, and promoting agricultural processing are important steps to make India strong from within.
At the same time, we must ask some questions: Have we weakened our production capacity due to cheap imports? Have our policies focused more on short-term benefits than long-term planning? Do we wake up after every crisis and then return to old habits?
Global instability is continuously increasing. One crisis ends, another begins. It is no longer an exception but a permanent condition. Expecting everything to remain normal is unrealistic. The challenge is not to stop wars, but to limit their impact on our country.
When the world is burning, we cannot avoid the heat—but we can try to protect our own home. Self-reliance is that protection. It is a shield that can save us in times of crisis. To make our country self-reliant, government, policymakers, citizens, and institutions must work together. This is necessary and unavoidable. |
