Why India Must Establish Overseas Bases and Build INS Vishal
In the emerging new world order, where alliances are fragile and aggression is normalized, India can no longer afford the luxury of restraint. The era of cautious diplomacy must now evolve into a new doctrine—Strategic Assertion. To safeguard national interest and project its power as a credible counter to expansionist forces, India must move beyond its shores. With China’s militarization of the South China Sea, Turkey’s deepening ties with Pakistan and aggression in the Mediterranean, and the United States’ inconsistent reliability, India must establish forward-operating bases with trusted partners—Armenia, Cyprus, Greece in the West, and friendly ASEAN nations in the East. This is not about provocation —it’s about protection, presence, and principle.
The Western Gateway: Armenia, Cyprus & Greece
Armenia, locked in a battle of survival against Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression, has turned to India as a partner for long-term defense cooperation. This alliance goes beyond arms deals—it is civilizational alignment, forged in resilience and a shared understanding of sovereignty.
Cyprus, straddling the edge of Europe and West Asia, offers an ideal outpost to watch over maritime commerce, monitor Chinese movements, and challenge Turkey’s unchecked influence.
Greece, another civilizational state and maritime democracy, provides India with a valuable NATO-aligned partner, opening the door for docking rights, joint drills, and forward-based logistics.
Indian Systems as Symbols of Stability
The deployment of Tejas, Tejas Mk2, BrahMos-NG, Akash SAMs, and the Gandiva BVR missile will do more than deter aggression—they will inspire confidence among partners. For nations like Armenia and Greece, these systems represent not just military protection but non-aligned sovereignty backed by a reliable power.
The integration of Ghatak stealth UCAVs for deep reconnaissance missions—especially with shared intelligence from host nations—will create a live security dome around volatile regions.
Occasional deployment of India’s P-8I Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, along with upcoming surveillance drones and India’s strategic intelligence assets, will help maintain constant maritime domain awareness and strengthen India’s intelligence web across conflict zones.
Look East: Eyes on the South China Sea
China’s unlawful claims and militarized islands threaten not only sovereignty of smaller nations but global trade itself. India cannot afford a passive posture in the Indo-Pacific.
Strategic engagement with Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia must include shared access to facilities, joint naval exercises, drone patrol networks, and crisis logistics capabilities. These partnerships will transform India’s role from regional balancer to Indo-Pacific stabilizer
⚓ INS Vishal: Naval Sovereignty Manifest
At the heart of this vision stands INS Vishal—a 75,000-tonne nuclearpowered aircraft carrier, envisioned for 2035. This is more than a ship. It is India’s statement of intent: to be at sea, to stay at sea, and to command the sea:
- Unlimited endurance via nuclear propulsion
- EMALS technology to launch next-gen fighters like TEDBF and Tejas Mk2
- Indigenous construction to symbolize true Atmanirbharta
Budget for Power, Vision for Peace
India’s current defense budget—hovering around 2 per cent of GDP—is insufficient for the strategic responsibilities it now bears. An increase to 3.5 per cent of GDP is no longer optional. It is an imperative.
- Overseas basing infrastructure and host-nation agreements
- Sealift, airlift, and rapid deployment logistics
- Surveillance and A2/AD networks
- Integrated intelligence-sharing platforms with allies
Lessons from the Past, Compass for the Future
India must not repeat its post-Independence hesitation—like the missed strategic opportunity in Singapore. While others consolidated power, India held back. The world has changed, and so must we.
India must not dilly-dally in denial of its destiny. China bullied Sri Lanka and Maldives with debt and proxies, right in India’s backyard. India may not yet be as rich as China, but vision, strategy, and resolve are worth more than borrowed billions.
Our Vision 2047 must be to learn from the silence of the past, and speak through strength in the future
☀ Final Word: India Must Be the Winter Sun
India’s foreign policy must be like the winter sun—not harsh, but warm. In times when cold, treacherous winds freeze the growth of friends in the Mediterranean and the Far East, India must be their midday warmth—subtle but sustaining, gentle but unwavering.
Let China buy silence.
Let others threaten chaos.
Let India be the strategic conscience of the Global South—reliable, radiant, and ready.