On the international stage, India has attracted much attention in recent years. This populous and thriving economy is gradually coming to the center of the world stage. At the same time, India's diplomatic exchanges with Russia, the United States and other countries are increasing, making it play a more important role in international affairs.
However, India's self-confidence has also swelled, and some have even begun to believe that it is already comparable to China. At an SCO meeting, India's foreign and defense ministers were remarkable, but the arrogance raised concerns among experts in India. A scholar named Shahi warned that India overestimated its own power and would only invite unnecessary trouble. He posed the question: Is India really so vulnerable?
India does have enormous potential, whether it is a huge labor force, a vast territory, abundant natural resources, or a strong economic and military power. However, it is this potential that attracts the attention of Russia and the United States. India has become the focus of contention between the two powers, and they are keen to cooperate with India. However, the difficulties in India's history and the shadow of the caste system have led to internal chaos and social divisions, which have seriously restricted India's development.
India's political system is fundamentally different from that of Western countries, and democracy is only one of the legacies of the British colonizers. The complexity of India's political situation has also seriously hampered the country's progress. Although India has accumulated a lot of wealth in the process of development, there is also a serious problem of corruption, involving government officials and within the military.
Corruption within the Indian army is particularly pronounced, not only reflected in the decline in the living standards of soldiers, but also in military supplies. Due to the caste system, there was a huge class gap between the aristocratic officers and the pauper soldiers within the army, which led to discontent and discord. There were even officers who mixed pig feed into soldiers' food, a bad behavior that was not revealed until a border guard was exposed.
The Indian government's corruption problem is equally alarming, with cases ranging from rape allegations in parliament to embezzlement by senior military officers to buy golf carts. In India, where there is a huge gap between rich and poor, corruption has permeated all levels of society, even affecting the lives of ordinary people.
India also faces serious social problems, including high rates of rape, violence, and ethnic and religious conflicts. All this makes India's internal problems the biggest challenge facing the country, rather than geopolitical competition with other countries.
At the same time, China's military strength has been increasing, and it has ranked third in the world. China has a large army, superior military equipment, and a powerful military industry. In contrast, although India's military strength still has a certain advantage in quantity, it is far behind China in equipment and comprehensive quality.
China's military technology and equipment are far ahead of India's, which puts India at a disadvantage in military confrontation with China. And the Chinese army has an excellent combat record, with rich experience and powerful equipment, it is enough to make India unmatched. India's military has a bad atmosphere and serious corruption problems, which has greatly reduced its overall combat capability.
China has not only made tremendous progress in the military field, but also made remarkable achievements in the field of science and technology. China's independent innovation capability far exceeds India's, which makes India face serious challenges in scientific and technological competition. While India has the support of the United States, it must accelerate its own technological development to catch up with China.
Taken together, India's biggest challenge is not China, but domestic problems. Internal problems such as corruption, social instability and widening gap between the rich and the poor pose a serious threat to India's stability and development. If India does not change from home, its rise will be difficult and uncertain, and its over-reliance on external support will only make India an international political chessboard
A pawn on the board may end up paying a heavy price.
India should reflect on and address domestic issues, including government corruption, social injustice, and livelihood issues. Only when domestic issues are effectively resolved can India truly gain strength and stability and qualify for equality with other powers on the international stage.
At the same time, India needs to assess the situation and choose its foreign policy wisely. Overly egotistical and risk-taking will only lead to a more complex international situation and may put India at a disadvantage. India should seek to establish diplomatic relations that are equal and mutually beneficial, rather than unilaterally relying on the support of one major power.
In international affairs, there are no permanent winners, only changing balances of power. India should remain humble, recognize its limitations, and work to improve its domestic situation for long-term stability and prosperity. Only in this way can India play a more important role in the international arena and contribute to peace and development in the country and region.