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| Photo by Deepak Mehra on Unsplash |
Indian Security Challenges are today thematic; they are no
longer traditional concepts. The ability to safeguard the interests of the
union is the sovereign duty that demands multimodal engagement by state and
non-state actors. The Global Firepower Index (GFP), 2025, ranks the Indian
Defence Forces fourth in overall military power. In alignment with national
interest, the capability enhancement of defence forces for multimodal
engagement to eliminate traditional and non-traditional threats is the need of
the hour. Pro rata, focusing on economic and energy sovereignty is vital.
In the turbulent waters of eroding international order and geopolitical shifts
– the recent Trump-tariff, the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA)
between Islamabad and Riyadh, the Nepalese Gen-Z protests are subtle messages
to New Delhi to navigate towards strategic autonomy and not to position itself
in a "Hobson's choice."
The approach
of non-alignment is rediscovered as multi-alignment. Modi's foreign policy is strategic;
it is an assertion of national interest consistent with the ethos of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam. Strategic autonomy refers to the ability of nations to make
sovereign decisions in foreign policy and defence without being influenced by
external factors- it is the flexibility, independence and capacity to engage
with multiple powers. In this regard, India needs to recalibrate its position
in maintaining territorial integrity, economic growth, fostering technological
advancement, and enhancing regional stability. Geopolitical tension in West
Asia, the protectionist policy of Trump, with the surprise of sudden trade
barriers, has hit the energy supplies and footloose industries, especially the
textile industries. The lesson is clear: the bully-monochromatic export
patterns are detrimental. It is high time to diversify exports and chant the
mantra of 'Swadeshi'.
The above inferences also indicate a continuing threat to
India's energy sovereignty. Excessive import dependence on energy
supplies is a co-morbidity of the Indian economy, which dilutes sovereignty.
Economic figures of rising imports of over 85% crude oil and over 50% of its
natural gas are concerning and qualify for the nation's risk register.
DIVERSIFICATION AS THE CURRENCY OF SOVEREIGNTY
Globally,
rising conflict zones, narrowing shipping lanes, and fragmented supply chains
are a warning of caution. In the rising polarity of international order, the
game balance is based on exploring the vulnerability of a geopolitical partner;
the avenues of diversification are not just impact players in the game, but
they are the leading captains. Diversification is not a substitute; it is the
currency of sovereignty with the potential benefits of economies of scale.
Energy security in its true sense is a continuous supply
and reliance; thus, it mandates diversification. Consider these examples: the
Fukushima Tsunami disaster (2011) reduced confidence in nuclear energy, the
Texas Freeze (2021) saw extreme weather freeze in gas pipelines and handicap
wind turbines, and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine crisis is disrupting Europe's gas
supply. The learnings are clear — the singularity of energy source and
sovereignty cannot co-exist, and diversification helps to overcome the limits
of a cost-efficient model by building resilient infrastructure and ensuring a
continuous supply of energy.
FUTURE PATHWAYS OF INDIAN ENERGY TRANSITION
The goal of
sustainable, clean and reliable energy is not just a climate policy discussion.
It is a survival strategy. The unstoppable rise of energy realism guides energy
transition. Critical energy infrastructures in India should be guided by
domestic capacity building and efficient technology, and they should be
resilient to threats from natural and man-made actors.
The former Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation, Sri.
Shrikant Madhav Vaidya advocates resilient transitions, emphasising the five
pillars of energy security. First, the Indian
indigenous potential of coal gasification must be realised to meet energy
needs. Technological advancements in gasification, such as
electrostatic precipitation and carbon capture, can address the problems of
high ash. There is enough space for innovation and sustainable engineering in
ash pond management. Hydrogen fertilisers, methanol and other products can be
encouraged to promote a circular coal economy. Second, biofuels
are a rural empowerment that meets the national security framework.
The ethanol blending program benefits farmers and helps to reduce import bills.
Gram swarajya includes robust decentralised biofuel generation, which can
restore soil fertility in the agrarian belt. Third, an energy
source built on civil nuclear technology. A comprehensive plan for small
modular reactors can augment nuclear energy by revising the thorium, uranium
and other critical mineral energy roadmaps. Nuclear energy here can be the
guardian of renewable energy resources. Fourth, invest in
green hydrogen, creating an energy ecosystem of domestic technology and
supply chain, i.e., promoting electrolyser manufacturing, catalysis
development, and storage capacity. The fifth pumped hydro storage
model, such as TERI, can use topological advantages to meet energy needs. This
model is proven, durable and essential for energy grid balance. The ideological
pathway is clear in its vision – it aims to store, secure and sustain energy
without fear or favour.
THE COST OF ENERGY TRANSITION
Energy
diversification and transition are very promising ideological frameworks for
Viksit Bharat. In realist terms, there is a need to sincerely measure the
impact and incidence of the cost of transition and diversification on different
sections of society. It is necessary to recollect the incidents from the past-
the story of dams and displacements later developed as bachao andolans, the suspicion
on nuclear technologies and public mistrust, which may possibly repel efforts
of diversification, fearing disproportionate burdens and ecological
catastrophe.
In the political landscape, leaders are concerned about the possible electoral
response to the apprehension of energy apartheid; the metric of electoral
benefit is used to measure the energy transition and diversification. These
diverse, unsettled opinions may halt the engine of
diversification. Navigating this conundrum, there is a need for multi-sectoral
engagement, confidence-building mechanisms, and mobilising public opinion to
secure energy realism. Thus, allocation of resources is not a mere
technological and legislative function; it has to be welcomed and fostered by
the diverse socio-economic fabric.
YOUTH ARCHITECTS POWERING VIKSIT BHARAT
The 18th Lok
Sabha (2024) is one of the oldest. The old guards are innovative and creative
and have attempted a continuous working mechanism for energy diversification,
such as PM–KUSUM for solarising agriculture and the National Green Hydrogen
Mission for a hydrogen ecosystem. Yet, what do they fail at? The schemes do not
capture the imagination of youth. The foundation of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' is
based on capturing the imagination of youth. The old guards are leaders who
plan well but fail to explain it to the youth; this impacts the propulsion of a
legitimate machinery in action.
There is no need to create alternative and parallel institutions,
but a pressing need exists to induct youth inclusively into the existing
institutional framework. Making youth party to policy making, capacity
building, innovation, and transformation are confidence-building mechanisms essential
to energy realism.
Energy transition and diversification need a language consistent with the tone and tenor of its demographic structure. Engagement of youth as active players in energy transition helps aggregate public opinion and consensus on policy. Youth in policy making is an active definition of participatory and deliberative democracy. In ordinary prudence, it may not be easy to understand carbon trading, sustainable management of commons and carrying capacity. Still, the zeal of youth in Viksit Bharat surely understands the nation's first approach, the importance of clean air, clean water and conserving forests. The old guards need to break down the path of energy diversification to the youth. Engaging youth brings coherence and consistency to the spirit of development and energy diversification. There is no substitute for the participation of the youth in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal to the author. Publication on Nib & Notion does not imply endorsement. Nib & Notion assumes no liability for reliance on the information provided.
About the Author
SANATH. D HEGDE
STUDENT, SYMBIOSIS LAW SCHOOL, PUNE
The views expressed are personal. For feedback, please
write to
sanathdhegde1999@gmail.com
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