EDITOR'S CORNER: The Question of India
India, home to nearly 1.46 billion people, fields the world’s second-largest active army. Its armed forces include about 1.45 million active personnel, 1.15 million in reserve, and another 1.6 million in paramilitary units—bringing India’s total mobilization capacity to an estimated 5.1 million personnel. Why does this matter? Because lately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been seen drawing closer to leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. If the global order continues to polarize, the pressing question becomes: which side will India ultimately choose? INDIA IN A NUTSHELL For nearly two centuries, India existed under British colonial rule, first through the East India Company and later under direct Crown administration after 1858. The Raj exploited India’s vast resources, reshaped its economy to serve imperial interests, and imposed political control while fostering divisions along religious and social lines. Yet this period also witnessed the growth of a national co...