Country Name: India
Country Flag:
After centuries of British rule, India achieved independence in 1947. However, the joy of freedom was marred by the violent partition of the subcontinent along religious lines, leading to mass migration and the creation of Pakistan.Led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India embraced democracy. He championed non-alignment in the Cold War, focusing on building a strong, self-sufficient nation. Nehru’s era saw the creation of a democratic constitution, investments in infrastructure, and the establishment of public sector industries. India faced wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, the latter leading to the birth of Bangladesh. Internally, the nation grappled with political instability, famines, and social unrest. Despite these challenges, India made significant strides in science and technology, even developing its own space program. By the early 1990s, India’s socialist economic model faced stagnation. Bold reforms initiated by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao opened up the economy to foreign investment and trade. This shift ushered in an era of rapid economic growth, fueled by globalisation and the rise of the service sector, particularly information technology. Modern India boasts a vibrant democracy, a burgeoning economy (the world’s fifth largest), and a young, skilled population. It is a major player in global affairs, with growing influence in international organisations and a strong military presence. However, significant challenges remain. India continues to grapple with poverty, rural-urban divide, social inequalities, and environmental concerns. Addressing these issues is crucial for inclusive growth and long-term stability. Additionally, India navigates complex relationships with its neighbours, particularly China and Pakistan.
New Delhi
India Standard Time
Time zone in India (GMT+5:30)
Position in the world: 7th
Total Area: 3,287,263 square kilometres (1,269,219 sq mi)
Arable Land: 52.26%
Tropical wet: This climate zone is found in the southwestern lowlands and receives heavy seasonal rainfall. The wettest areas are along the Western Ghats and in southern Assam.
Arid and semi-arid: This zone covers a large part of the interior of the peninsula and the western Rajasthan desert. It receives less rain than the tropical wet zones.
Subtropical humid: This climate zone is found in the Ganges Delta and eastern Himalayas. It receives moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Mountain: The Himalayas have a cold and temperate climate with significant snowfall.
The Summer months can see temperatures rise up to 40°C or higher.
The monsoon season brings most of the country’s yearly rainfall.
India has a variety of minerals and precious metals/stones. The different minerals available are chromite, copper, gold, lead zinc, manganese, rock salt, coal, iron ore, lithium, natural gas, diamonds, limestone, uranium and natural gas.
Floods: India is vulnerable to various natural disasters. Floods are the most common natural disaster in India, affecting vast areas along major rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra. Heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt contribute significantly to flooding.
Earthquakes: India is highly susceptible to earthquakes in the Himalayan Region. The Himalayas are a geologically active zone. Several regions, including Kashmir, the northeastern states, and Gujarat, fall under high seismic zones. Areas such as the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are prone to cyclones.
Droughts: Uneven monsoon rains lead to droughts, particularly in central and western India, severely impacting agriculture and water resources. The heavy rainfall and deforestation trigger landslides in the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and other hilly areas, causing loss of life, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting transportation.
Territorial Waters: India claims a territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines. Within this zone, India exercises full sovereignty, including the right to regulate activities such as navigation, fishing, and scientific research.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Beyond the territorial waters, India claims an exclusive economic zone that extends up to 200 nm from its baselines. Within this zone, India has exclusive rights to exploit and manage natural resources, such as fishing, drilling for oil and gas, and other economic activities.
Continental Shelf: India also claims rights over the continental shelf, which extends beyond the EEZ where the country can exploit non-living resources such as minerals and hydrocarbons.
It’s important to note that India’s maritime claims are subject to international law, including UNCLOS, which provides a framework for resolving disputes among nations regarding maritime boundaries. India has been involved in disputes, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, with neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka over maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones. These disputes are often managed through diplomatic negotiations, bilateral agreements, or international arbitration.
Federal Democracy: India is a federal parliamentary republic with a strong central government and powerful state governments.
Multi-Party System: Unlike some countries with a dominant two-party system, India has a vibrant multi-party system. National and regional parties compete in elections.
Dominant Party: Currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the dominant party at the national level. The BJP is a Hindu nationalist party.
Opposition: The main opposition party is the Indian National Congress (INC), a centre-left party with a long history in Indian politics.
Other Important Parties: Numerous regional parties play a significant role in state politics, often forming coalitions with national parties.
Allies
South Asian Leadership: India aspires to be a leading power in South Asia. It promotes regional security and economic cooperation through initiatives like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) while facing challenges with Pakistan and strained relations with some other neighbours.
The Indo-Pacific Focus: The rise of China has shifted India’s strategic focus towards the Indo-Pacific region. India actively participates in forums like the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) with the US, Japan, and Australia, aiming to counterbalance China’s growing influence.
India’s strategic alliances and partnerships are multifaceted, reflecting its diverse diplomatic engagements across the globe. In the Asia-Pacific region, India maintains close ties with countries like Japan, Australia, and South Korea, fostering economic cooperation, defence collaboration, and regional stability. In the Middle East, India’s relationships with Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar are driven by energy security, economic interests, and a large expatriate Indian community. India’s engagement with Russia remains strong, rooted in historical ties, defence cooperation, and shared geopolitical interests. Additionally, India’s strategic partnership with the United States has deepened significantly in recent years, encompassing defence cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and economic collaboration. Through its membership in organisations like BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN, India also engages in multilateral diplomacy to promote regional integration, economic development, and security cooperation across various continents. Overall, India’s alliances and partnerships reflect its commitment to advancing its national interests, fostering regional stability, and promoting global cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.
Government Type: Secular parliamentary government and federation structure.
President:
Droupadi Murmu
(Term begin- current) (July 2022 – current)
Vice President:
Jagdeep Dhankhar
(Term begin- current) (August 2022 – current)
Prime Minister:
Narendra Modi
(Term begin- current) (May 2014 – current)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
Ideology: Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), right-wing, economic liberalism
Influence: Currently the dominant party in India, the BJP promotes a strong Hindu identity for India and a more assertive foreign policy. They advocate for economic reforms and privatisation.
Indian National Congress (INC):
Ideology: Center-left, secularism, social democracy
Influence: The INC is India’s oldest political party and has a long history of governance. They champion secularism, social welfare programs, and economic development with a focus on social inclusion.
Regional Parties:
Varied – These parties focus on regional identities, languages, and addressing local issues. Their ideologies can range from centre-left to centre-right, with some advocating for greater autonomy for their regions.
May 2029
India’s geopolitics are shaped by its strategic location in South Asia, its status as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, and its complex relationships with neighbouring countries and global powers. As a regional power, India seeks to assert its influence and maintain stability in South Asia while navigating a dynamic geopolitical landscape marked by tensions with Pakistan, border disputes with China, and strategic competition with rising powers such as China. India’s engagement with major global players, including the United States, Russia, and the European Union, reflects its pursuit of strategic partnerships to advance its economic interests, enhance its security, and promote its geopolitical objectives on the world stage. Additionally, India’s commitment to multilateralism, its role in regional organisations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and its advocacy for a rules-based international order underscore its aspirations for regional peace, economic development, and global leadership.
Size in world: Fifth
GDP: $4.2 trillion USD
GDP Per Capita: $2,900 USD
Currency: Rupee
Dominant Economic Sector: Information Technology (IT) and Pharmaceuticals
Social Landscape
Population: 1.41 billion
Position: Class Distribution
Upper: 1%.
Middle: 31%.
Lower: 35-40%
Gini Coefficient:
35-38% (where 0 = perfect inequality and 100 = perfect equality)
Language
Official Language: Hindu
Other Language: English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Malayalam, Assamme, Maithili
Religion
Dominant religion: Hindu