India’s elite leap: How PM Modi’s vision is propelling India into the global big league

By R Anil Kumar

Bengaluru. Over the past decade, India has undergone a remarkable transformation that has reshaped its global standing—from being seen as a developing nation with potential to emerging as a formidable powerhouse across sectors like defence, space, and advanced technologies.

At the heart of this transformation is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic vision that has placed self-reliance, innovation, and indigenous development at the centre of national policy.

Through flagship initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the Modi government has driven an unprecedented shift toward strengthening domestic capabilities, fostering public-private partnerships, and making bold investments in research and development. This journey is no longer just about catching up with global standards—it is about leading from the front. India is no longer a participant; it is a pacesetter in the global technological race.

This is not merely a chronicle of scientific milestones but a story of ambition, transformation, and India’s irreversible march towards becoming a Vishwaguru—a global leader in ideas, innovation, and impact.

Breakthroughs in Defence: Securing India’s Future

India’s defence landscape has seen a paradigm shift with a string of technological breakthroughs that place it alongside global military superpowers. Backed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a strong push from the government, India has cemented its place in elite global defence clubs.

In a recent milestone, India successfully conducted trials of a laser-based directed energy weapon system, capable of neutralizing fixed-wing and swarm drones. This development puts India in a select group of only four nations—alongside the United States, Russia, and China—with such cutting-edge capabilities.

In 2025, India made yet another strategic leap by testing an Active Cooled Scramjet engine for hypersonic missile systems. This included the indigenous development of endothermic scramjet fuel—a first for the country—jointly achieved by the DRDL and Indian industry partners.

In a historic feat, the DRDO in November 2024 test-fired India’s first long-range hypersonic missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. The missile, which flies at over five times the speed of sound and is highly manoeuverable, positions India among a rare few nations with such advanced strike capability.

The year 2024 also marked India’s successful integration of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The Agni-V missile test featuring MIRV capabilities allows India to deploy multiple nuclear warheads on a single missile—each capable of hitting separate targets. This significantly enhances India’s deterrent and strategic flexibility.

Going further back, in 2023, India achieved another major milestone by conducting the maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile. This trial established India’s entry into the exclusive group of countries possessing naval-based Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities.

Also in 2023, India successfully demonstrated its indigenous autonomous stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), signalling a high level of technological maturity in unmanned combat systems. This further strengthened India’s position in futuristic warfare technologies.

In 2019, India stunned the world with Mission Shakti—an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test that successfully destroyed a live satellite in low Earth orbit. This made India only the fourth nation after the US, Russia, and China to possess demonstrated ASAT capability, sending a strong message about the country’s ability to protect its space-based assets.

Soaring in Space: India’s Cosmic Ambitions

India’s rise as a spacefaring nation has been no less spectacular. Led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country’s space missions have captured global attention through record-breaking launches and cost-effective innovation. Under the Modi government, increased funding and bold reforms have helped ISRO scale new heights and enter new frontiers.

Recently, India successfully demonstrated satellite docking and undocking capabilities through ISRO’s SpaDEx mission, joining an elite group of just four nations to have mastered this complex space manoeuvre. The docking sequence succeeded on the first attempt after over 120 simulations, showcasing the maturity of India’s space engineering.

In 2023, India etched its name into history by becoming the first country to land on the Moon’s south pole. With this feat, India became only the fourth country ever to achieve a soft landing on the Moon—after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China—but uniquely, the first to reach the unexplored southern region.

In 2022, India entered a high-stakes global club by becoming the sixth country capable of manufacturing cryogenic engines. The launch of the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) positioned India as a serious contender in next-generation space propulsion systems, with the capacity to support the complete rocket production cycle under one roof.

In 2017, ISRO surprised the world by setting a world record with the launch of 104 satellites in a single mission. The historic PSLV-C37 launch established India as a reliable and cost-effective satellite launch partner for the world and marked India’s entry into the elite tier of space-launch powers.

Beyond Defence and Space: A New Technological Frontier

India’s ambition doesn’t stop with defence and space. The country is actively building future-ready capabilities in high-tech domains such as semiconductors, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.

The launch of the Semicon India initiative marked India’s formal entry into the global semiconductor race. With policy backing and investment support, India is fast emerging as a preferred destination for chip manufacturing. The initiative has attracted top global players and is helping the country create a resilient electronics supply chain.

In 2020, India established the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA), positioning itself in the global quantum race alongside the US and China. With over ₹6,000 crore allocated to the initiative, the government is pushing boundaries in quantum computing, encryption, communication, and simulation. This aggressive move reflects a clear intent to lead—not follow—in next-generation technologies.

India’s rapid ascension into elite circles of defence, space, and technology is a result of deliberate policymaking, long-term vision, and a renewed national confidence. What once seemed aspirational is now increasingly operational. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is no longer waiting in the wings—it is taking centre stage.

From destroying satellites in space to developing hypersonic missiles, from landing on the Moon’s south pole to building quantum computers and semiconductor fabs, India’s achievements are not just milestones—they are markers of a new era. This is the story of a nation no longer defined by limitations but by its limitless potential.