Since its independence in 1947, India has faced multiple continental challenges and threats both externally, and internally, yet it has managed to overcome all of its problems and currently stands as a strong and self-dependent identity. A major portion of India's Continental Challenges is due to its complex location and diverse geographical features such as mountains and valleys.
Factors boosting India’s influence:
A newly industrialized country -- India, emerged quickly as a prominent regional power, a nuclear power, an emerging global power with the world's third-largest military expenses, and fifth-largest GDP rates. All this boosted India's influence in international affairs. India currently holds diplomatic relations with 201 states around the world with several missions operating globally.
India’s growing connectivity and international influence:
With still slow growth, India is now addressed as a newly industrialized country and has grown a wide network of connectivity and foreign relations with other countries. A major reason for India's Connectivity is its influence in various organizations throughout the world alongside countries like China and Russia. Additionally, India has been one of the founding members of several international organizations like The United Nations, the BRICS Bank, and the G20 majorly considered the main growth points of developing and developed nations. India's connectivity also comes from the fact that it has a wide network of seaports and airlines. With such an extensive network of transport facilities, it's bound to bring with it international connectivity.
Posing threats and India’s approach to curb it:
A country with such an extensive international network and widespread connectivity must have a strong and diplomatic foreign and security policy to defend itself against various possible security threats. A significant aspect of India's Foreign and Security Policy is the Look East Policy. During its cold war, India didn't have strong relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours. After the end of the cold war, the government realized the importance of boosting its relations with its southeast Asian neighbours thus boosting a strategic shift in India's vision of the world and India's place in the global economy.