India’s journey from a post-colonial nation to an emerging global power has captured the attention of many around the world. Its immense economic growth, technological expansion, and aggressive foreign policy indicate that a new strong participant in the international arena is born. But behind this, there is a question that matters: Is the strategic program of India driven by the need for security, or is it driven by prestige? The pattern of Indian defense and space programs, nuclear policy, and activities in the region indicates the latter and indicates a relatively more interested state in the symbolic power than peace in the region.

India’s development of long-range missiles exceeds its regional security requirements, signaling global power projection.

The most important of these signs is the fact that India is incessantly developing long-range missiles. Its initial missile projects concentrated on fighting off local threats posed by neighboring countries, but its recent acquisition is much more than what it requires. A range of more than 5,000 kilometers of the Agni-V and projected developments of Agni-VI with a range up to 12,000 kilometers are irrelevant in the South Asian security environment. These intercontinental ballistic missiles have multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) technology that is aimed at global power projection, and not directed towards peace, and threatening the stability of regional deterrence.

India’s pursuit of prestige carries serious risks. Its ambitions extend well beyond security, pushing Pakistan, despite economic and internal struggles, into a tough choice: accept India’s dominance or try to keep pace. This fuels mistrust, escalates the arms race, and increases the chances of dangerous missteps in the region.

In 2024, the defence budget of India was  $73.9 billion, which made it the third in the world in terms of the number after the United States and China. This massive spending is not only to utilize traditional security roles, but it is also used to finance aircraft carriers, ballistic missile protection, space-based monitoring, and computer attack capabilities. Even as modernization of the military is a sovereign prerogative, the magnitude and extent of such activities are well beyond what is necessitated by the immediate security needs of India.

Nationalist politics under Modi blur the lines between strategic needs and symbolic military actions.

Domestic politics play a crucial role in this transformation. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the line between strategic needs and nationalist identity has blurred. Incidents like the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the 2025 Pahalgam episode were not just military responses. They became tools for electoral gain and symbols of a broader nationalist narrative. India’s actions now go beyond defense; they promote a vision of a resurgent, Hindu-centered nation reclaiming past glory, both at home and abroad.

The result of this change has uprooted the regional order. Pakistan has acted to ensure greater nuclear deterrence, Sri Lanka and Nepal have slowly been drifting towards Beijing in reaction to harsh Indian diplomacy, Bangladesh show fear of India who takes control over the South Asian forums and dominates SAARC, which used to be the brightest regional organization on the chart of the continent, is currently incapacitated mainly by the unwillingness of India to get involved multilaterally in its relations with Pakistan.

Rather, India advances such alternative institutions as BIMSTEC and the so-called Indo-Pacific Quad, which undermine South Asian solidarity and repackage the Indian identity in terms that focus rather than on the immediate neighborhood but on the broader Asia Pacific region.

Such changes are not at a cheap cost to India. India spends very much on projects of prestige in defense by neglecting human development projects. India has also been ranked in a low position in terms of the Human Development Index, whereas its health, education, and gender disparity are very glaring, despite India being among the largest economies of the world. Millions of Indians lack clean water, power, and basic medical attention, while it is full-steam ahead with satellites circling above and submarines patrolling the oceans. A disparity between the world ambitions and the national realities of India shows the distorted priorities in which the symbols of power are valued over the quality of life of the citizens.

India’s aggressive posture fuels mistrust and arms races, undermining South Asian cooperation.

Additionally, the hostile attitude of India poses a threat of the isolation of the country in the long term. The trust around the region is gradually diminishing, and anyone who is a neighbor is becoming less certain of what New Delhi is up to. Instead of being a harmonizing agent in South Asia, India is perceived as a hegemonic power willing to subdue. Such an image erodes the soft power of India and restricts its cooperative leadership potential. When the state in question wants to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, such mistrust becomes a major diplomatic drawback.

India’s aggressive military posture in a volatile region poses serious risks. As a smaller neighbor, Pakistan’s focus is on survival, not competition, but India’s growing dominance forces it to respond. This arms cycle deepens insecurity, blocks dialogue, and threatens peace across the region.

The region of South Asia, with an approximate population of two billion inhabitants, can ill afford another arms race. There is an urgent need to have regional cooperation, economic integration, as well as building of trust. To achieve this, India needs to take a look at its reasons. It has to question whether, in the pursuit of prestige, which manifests itself through missiles, megaprojects, and military parades, it is serving its people or simply appeasing a nationalist self.

Despite economic growth, India’s social indicators lag, revealing skewed priorities favoring military prestige over human development.

The greatness of power is not measured by the range that their missiles possess and their ability to control their power. A sustainable rise of India should be based on regional cooperation, strategic restraint, and the development of humanity, instead of a blind thirst for prestige.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.