New Delhi, Srinagar| Oct, 3: As the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed a century of public service, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a new approach to civil service recruitment and administration, arguing that the demands of a rapidly changing India require public servants driven by a commitment to citizens rather than the prestige of public office. Participating in the centenary celebrations of the UPSC at Bharat Mandapam here, Modi described the milestone as more than a commemoration of an institution. He said the 100 years of the commission represented the aspirations of millions of young Indians who appear for its examinations and the trust placed in the institution by citizens. He said the UPSC had maintained its credibility through changing governments, generations, technologies and examination systems, but argued that its next century must be shaped by the requirements of a very different India. The Prime Minister identified two principles that he said should guide the selection of public servants—“Nation First” and “Citizen First”—and said the recruitment system would need to evolve accordingly. “We must bring youth into Public Services who are driven by Public Service, not Public Office,” Modi said, stressing that examinations should go beyond testing what a candidate knows and also examine why the person wants to join the civil services. The remarks came as the country prepares for the next phase of administrative and institutional change, with the Prime Minister linking the future of civil services to India’s stated objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
From Colonial Institution To Independent India: Reflecting on the history of the UPSC, Modi recalled that the institution originated in 1926 during British rule but underwent a fundamental transformation after Independence. He paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whom he credited with recognising the importance of a strong administrative system in consolidating the newly independent country. The Prime Minister said Patel helped provide the “steel frame” necessary not merely to preserve the country but to administer and rebuild it after Independence. The historical transition, Modi said, demonstrated that institutions can retain their structural role while adapting their objectives to the aspirations of a new nation. For the UPSC, he said, the challenge now is to prepare for another major transition as India moves towards 2047. The Prime Minister argued that the civil servant of the future will operate in an environment fundamentally different from that of previous decades. India’s urban population is expanding, the rural-urban divide is changing, technology is altering expectations and citizens increasingly expect government services to function with the speed and convenience associated with digital platforms. This, he said, would require a corresponding change in administrative culture.
‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ At The Heart Of Governance: A central theme of the Prime Minister’s address was the relationship between citizens and the state. Rejecting the traditional “Mai-Baap” conception of administration, Modi advocated what he called “Nagrik Devo Bhava”—the idea that citizens should be treated with the highest respect and that serving them should remain the primary objective of Government. “Our mantra is ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’,” he said, adding that citizen service must remain paramount. The concept, he argued, should influence not only how civil servants work after selection but also how they are selected in the first place. The recruitment system, therefore, should identify people capable of understanding citizens’ problems, anticipating difficulties and developing practical solutions. Prime Minister Modi said civil servants must be “pro-people” and “pro-active”, while maintaining a focus on good governance. He described these three principles as the foundation of India’s emerging administrative work culture.
Beyond Knowledge |Testing Motivation And Foresight: The Prime Minister’s call for a rethink of recruitment was among the key messages of the centenary address. While academic knowledge remains central to competitive examinations, Modi said future selection systems must also identify candidates’ motivation for entering public service. He suggested that newly recruited officers could record their original reasons for joining the civil services and return to those reflections at different stages of their careers. Such an exercise, he said, could help officers remain connected to the purpose that brought them into public service. He also suggested that UPSC and state public service commissions could consider developing similar mechanisms. The proposal reflects a broader question about public administration: whether recruitment systems can identify qualities such as empathy, initiative, ethical commitment and problem-solving alongside academic ability. The Prime Minister argued that selecting candidates with the right motivation would make it easier for the administration to respond to changing public expectations.
Civil Servants For An Era Of AI And Deepfakes: The future administrative environment, Modi said, will involve challenges that were largely absent from earlier generations of civil servants. He referred to information warfare, deepfakes, algorithmic bias and climate justice as emerging areas that administrators will increasingly have to understand. These challenges require more than memorised knowledge, he said. Recruitment systems will have to assess foresight and complex problem-solving capabilities so that officers can respond to problems whose nature may not yet be fully understood. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is rapidly changing the relationship between citizens and government. As technology makes information and services available almost instantly, citizens may increasingly expect similar speed from public institutions. This could put pressure on conventional administrative processes and require civil servants to combine institutional knowledge with technological understanding.
Time Certainty As An Equity Issue: The Prime Minister also focused on the duration of competitive examinations. He called for greater “Time Certainty” in examination processes, arguing that shortening recruitment cycles should not be seen merely as an administrative efficiency measure. For candidates, lengthy examination processes can mean prolonged expenditure on coaching, accommodation, transportation and other necessities. Reducing the time between different stages of recruitment, he said, could therefore become an issue of equity, particularly for candidates from families with limited financial resources. “Time certainty” would mean completing examination and recruitment processes within predictable timelines without compromising standards. The proposal places the experience of candidates at the centre of examination reform and raises the broader question of how recruitment institutions can balance procedural rigour with efficiency.
Expanding The Pool Of Public Talent: The Prime Minister also highlighted the changing social composition of civil service aspirants. He noted that participation in competitive examinations has expanded dramatically over the decades, with the number of candidates increasing many times since the UPSC’s 50th anniversary in 1976. The change, he said, reflects a widening pool of talent entering the public service system. The increasing participation of women was also highlighted. According to figures cited by Modi, women accounted for around three per cent of candidates in 1952, compared with more than 30 per cent today. He also pointed to the appointment of three women as UPSC chairpersons after 2014. The changes, he said, demonstrate the expansion of opportunities available to different sections of society. For the commission, however, the expansion of the candidate pool also brings greater responsibility. The UPSC is not simply selecting employees, Modi said. It is selecting people who will eventually represent the government before citizens, particularly at the grassroots level.
Learning Across Institutions: Prime Minisrter Modi also called for greater institutional learning between the UPSC and state public service commissions. National conferences where state commissions exchange experiences, he said, should be strengthened by incorporating international practices and greater technological learning. Cross-learning could help commissions identify more efficient methods of examination management, technology use and candidate services. The Prime Minister also encouraged continuous capacity building within selection institutions. He suggested that existing digital infrastructure developed under Mission Karmayogi, including the i-GOT platform, could support institutional learning and professional development. The broader objective, he said, should be to ensure that recruitment bodies themselves remain capable of adapting to changing demands.
Protecting Credibility In The Second Century: While calling for reform, Modi stressed that the UPSC’s foundational values must remain protected. Independence, impartiality, merit, confidentiality and fairness, he said, form the core of the institution’s credibility and must not be compromised. This balance between continuity and reform is likely to remain central to the commission’s second century. The UPSC has to respond to new technologies, changing candidate profiles and evolving governance requirements while retaining public confidence in the integrity of its selection process. The challenge is therefore not simply to modernise the examination system but to modernise it without weakening the principles that have sustained its legitimacy.
A Century Completed, Another Challenge Ahead: The centenary celebrations also featured the release of a commemorative postage stamp, a special coin and a compilation of 100 significant case laws associated with the institution. The symbolism of the occasion was clear: the UPSC’s first century was being presented as a record of institutional continuity, while its second century was being framed around adaptation. For millions of young Indians, the UPSC remains more than an examination body. It represents one of the country’s most competitive routes into public administration and continues to attract candidates from diverse social, economic and geographical backgrounds. For the state, the stakes are equally significant. The officers selected today will administer an India that is expected to be more urban, more digital and more closely connected to global economic and technological changes. Their responsibilities will extend beyond traditional administration to emerging questions involving artificial intelligence, climate change, digital information, complex social challenges and rapidly changing citizen expectations. At 100, therefore, the UPSC is being asked to look simultaneously in two directions: preserve the institutional values that built public trust, while redesigning recruitment and capacity-building systems for a radically different administrative environment. Prime Minister Modi’s message at the centenary was that the ultimate measure of that transition should remain the citizen. From “Nation First” and “Citizen First” to “Nagrik Devo Bhava” and the call for a “Pro-People, Pro-Active, Good Governance” work culture, the Prime Minister placed public service at the centre of his vision for the commission’s next century. The larger challenge now lies in translating those principles into recruitment systems, administrative practices and institutional reforms that can meet the expectations of India’s next generation.

Mohammad Irfan

From the surgical strikes of 2016 to the Balakot airstrike in 2019 and Operation Sindoor in 2025, India’s response to terrorism has undergone a visible transformation—from a predominantly reactive security posture to an approach that places greater emphasis on intelligence, precision, preparedness and the ability to impose costs on terrorist infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, marked 10 years of the 2016 surgical strikes and placed them within this broader evolution of India’s counter-terrorism policy. He recalled the September 28-29, 2016 operation in which the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control to strike terrorist launch pads, describing it as a significant moment in India’s response to terrorism. The Prime Minister said the operation demonstrated a new approach and linked it with the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor, arguing that India had repeatedly communicated that terrorist attacks would invite a response. The significance of the message lies not only in the military operations themselves but in how India’s security establishment has sought to change the strategic calculations surrounding cross-border terrorism. The evolution has involved changes in the choice of targets, the use of intelligence and technology, jointness among the armed forces and the effort to distinguish terrorist infrastructure from conventional military targets. Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, became the latest major example of this approach.

From 2016 To 2025| A decade Of Changing Doctrine: The 2016 surgical strikes came after years in which major terrorist attacks had repeatedly triggered demands for stronger action against those responsible. Prime Minister Modi recalled the 2008 Delhi serial blasts and the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks while describing the security environment India had faced in earlier years. The 2016 operation marked a significant departure in public signalling. According to the government, Indian forces targeted terrorist infrastructure across the LoC, demonstrating that the geographical boundary would not necessarily prevent India from acting against identified terrorist launch pads. Three years later, the Balakot airstrike extended this approach. Following the February 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack, India conducted a precision airstrike on February 26 against a Jaish-e-Mohammed training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, according to the government. The operation was presented as an expansion of India’s options in responding to terrorism, with the target located beyond the LoC. Operation Sindoor in 2025 represented another stage in that trajectory. Following the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Defence Ministry said nine sites were targeted and described the action as focused, measured and non-escalatory, adding that Pakistani military facilities were not targeted in the initial strikes. The Government subsequently described Operation Sindoor as a coordinated, intelligence-led campaign involving multiple domains and emphasised the use of precision and restraint. Taken together, these episodes illustrate an expanding set of military options—from ground-based cross-LoC action to airpower and increasingly integrated, technology-enabled operations.

Operation Sindoor And The Pahalgam Trigger: The immediate backdrop to Operation Sindoor was the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 2025.The attack killed 26 people, including a Nepali citizen, according to subsequent government accounts. The attack had a particularly significant impact because it targeted civilians in a prominent tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian response came after a period of intelligence assessment and political deliberation. On May 7, the Defence Ministry announced that the armed forces had launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The initial Government statement said nine sites had been targeted. Importantly, it also described the action as “focused, measured and non-escalatory” and stated that no Pakistani military facilities had been targeted in that phase. This aspect of the operation is important to understanding the emerging doctrine. The stated objective was to hit terrorist infrastructure while attempting to control the risk of a wider military escalation. In other words, the response was framed around the source of the terrorist threat rather than a broad conventional military confrontation.

Precision As The New Language Of Counter-Terrorism: One of the clearest developments between 2016 and 2025 has been the increasing importance of precision. Modern counter-terrorism operations depend not only on the ability to strike a target but also on the ability to identify it accurately, assess its significance and select the appropriate means of attack. Government accounts of Operation Sindoor repeatedly highlighted intelligence, target identification and precision. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the operation as based on multi-agency intelligence and said nine major camps were identified and targeted. The Government has also highlighted the growing role of indigenous technologies, including drones, layered air defence and electronic warfare capabilities, in the operation. This suggests that the future of counter-terrorism will not be determined solely by traditional military strength. It will increasingly depend on the quality of intelligence, surveillance, communications, data analysis, unmanned systems, air defence and the ability to integrate different capabilities quickly.

Jointness Changes The Character Of Operations: Another important feature associated with Operation Sindoor was the emphasis on joint operations.The government described the campaign as demonstrating greater coordination among the armed forces and involving multiple operational domains.

Modern warfare increasingly blurs the boundaries between land, air, maritime, cyber, space and information domains. A terrorist network may use encrypted communications, social media, financial networks and cross-border infrastructure while operating through physical camps and launch facilities.Countering such a network therefore requires more than conventional firepower. It requires intelligence agencies, armed forces, technology platforms and diplomatic institutions to work in coordination.The evolution from the 2016 strikes to Operation Sindoor therefore also reflects a broader institutional shift towards integration.

A Calibrated Response Rather Than An Open-Ended Conflict: A central feature of the official description of Operation Sindoor has been calibration. The initial Defence Ministry statement explicitly characterised the action as measured and non-escalatory. That distinction matters because military action against terrorist infrastructure across an international boundary or in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir carries the risk of escalation. The challenge for policymakers is consequently twofold: demonstrate the capacity and willingness to respond to terrorism while preventing an individual counter-terrorism operation from automatically developing into a broader conventional conflict. The Government’s framing of Operation Sindooremphasised this balance. The objective was presented as targeting terrorist infrastructure while maintaining limits on the scope of the operation. This represents one of the more significant strategic questions for India’s future counter-terrorism policy: how to retain credible deterrence while keeping escalation under control.

“Drones have become relatively inexpensive and widely accessible. Artificial intelligence can assist in analysing large volumes of information. Satellite imagery can improve situational awareness. Electronic warfare can disrupt communications and sensors..….”

The Green Manufacturing And The Next Industrial Frontier: The next phase of Make in India is also being shaped by the global energy transition. Solar manufacturing has expanded considerably, with India reaching 100 GW of solar photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers framework in 2025, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Advanced batteries, electric vehicles, renewable-energy equipment and green technologies are increasingly becoming part of the industrial policy conversation. This could become an important dimension of India’s manufacturing strategy because global investment decisions are increasingly influenced by supply-chain resilience as well as environmental considerations. India’s opportunity lies in combining its large domestic market with manufacturing capacity that can serve international demand for cleaner technologies. Beyond factories: infrastructure and logistics Manufacturing cannot expand sustainably without infrastructure. Over the past decade, the government’s industrial strategy has therefore been accompanied by initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, industrial corridors, industrial parks and the National Single Window System. The objective is to reduce the time and cost involved in moving goods and establishing industrial units. This is an important but less visible aspect of the Make in India story. A modern manufacturing economy depends on the efficiency of the entire chain—from raw material and component suppliers to factories, warehouses, ports, airports, roads and final markets. The growing emphasis on integrated infrastructure planning reflects an understanding that competitiveness is determined by the entire production ecosystem.

The MSME Dimension: Large factories often receive the most attention, but India’s manufacturing ecosystem is heavily dependent on micro, small and medium enterprises. MSMEs supply components, provide specialised services and form the backbone of several industrial clusters. Their integration into larger domestic and global value chains is therefore critical. The long-term impact of Make in India will depend partly on whether smaller enterprises can adopt modern technology, access affordable finance, improve quality standards and become reliable suppliers to large Indian and multinational companies. The spread of digital systems, formalisation and new procurement mechanisms has created additional opportunities, but financing, technology adoption and scale remain important areas requiring continued attention.

The Unfinished Agenda: The 12-year journey also makes clear that manufacturing transformation is a long-term project rather than a completed destination. India’s manufacturing sector still needs deeper domestic supply chains, greater research and development, stronger technology capabilities and higher productivity. The country also needs to increase its participation in sophisticated global value chains where design, intellectual property and advanced components account for a larger share of value. Employment is another important dimension. Higher manufacturing output does not automatically translate into proportionately higher employment. Automation and modern production methods can raise productivity while limiting the number of workers required for individual production lines. The broader objective, therefore, is to create an ecosystem in which manufacturing expansion generates jobs not only inside factories but also across logistics, services, supplier networks, maintenance, design and technology. Skill development will consequently remain central to the next phase.

Kashmir Horizon View: The most significant feature of the Make in India journey may ultimately be the changing definition of what it means to manufacture in India. In its initial phase, the emphasis was strongly associated with attracting companies and encouraging production. Over time, the agenda has widened to include domestic components, strategic technologies, research and development, startups, infrastructure, exports, supply-chain resilience and integration with global markets. The Government’s latest assessment describes this transition as a movement from simply producing more goods towards building the skills, technology and capacity required to create greater value domestically and compete internationally. The numbers provide evidence of substantial expansion in several areas: electronics production has multiplied, defence exports have risen sharply, pharmaceutical and medical-device investments have grown, FDI has expanded and PLI-supported sectors have recorded significant investment, production and employment. At the same time, these figures also point towards the scale of the next challenge. The question for the coming decade is increasingly not whether India can manufacture, but how much value it can create through manufacturing—and how deeply Indian firms can participate in global technology and supply chains. Twelve years after its launch, Make in India has therefore moved from being principally an investment invitation to becoming part of a broader industrial strategy. The journey from assembling products to designing, developing and exporting them at scale will determine the next chapter. For India, the opportunity is substantial: a large domestic market, a growing industrial base, expanding infrastructure, a sizeable workforce and an increasingly diversified manufacturing ecosystem. The first twelve years have built much of the foundation. The next phase will be about depth—more domestic value addition, more technology, stronger supply chains, greater productivity and a larger presence in global markets. That is ultimately where the longer-term significance of “Make in India” will be measured.

(“Team Kashmir Horizon” is committed to continuous improvement and invites feedback and suggestions from readers and its followers on social media sites. Reader insights are considered vital for enhancing content quality and empowering the community. The team encourages open communication and values the thoughts and ideas of its audience, believing that such input will enable them to serve the public more effectively. The initiative aims to ensure that readers have the best possible experience with “Kashmir Horizon”. Interested individuals can reach out to us via email at editor@thekashmirhorizon.com.)

Mohammad Irfan

In Kashmir, the story of Pashmina is often told through the finished shawl—the softness of its fibre, the delicacy of its embroidery and the reputation it has earned in markets across the world. But behind every such product lies a much longer story: of skilled hands, inherited knowledge, patient craftsmanship and families whose livelihoods remain closely tied to an art that has survived generations. The Pashmina Artisan Awards 2026, organised by the Pashmeena Entrepreneurs Makers and Artisans (PEMA) Foundation in Srinagar, sought to bring that less visible story to the centre. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who attended the ceremony, described the awards as a celebration not merely of individual artisans but of Jammu and Kashmir’s wider cultural prosperity. His remarks placed particular emphasis on women artisans, whose contribution often remains less visible despite their role in several stages of the craft process. “The true prosperity of a society is reflected in the artistry of its weavers and craftswomen,” Sinha said, stressing that the value of Kashmir’s craft economy cannot be measured only through production figures or exports. At a time when traditional crafts are navigating changing consumer preferences, competition from machine-made products, evolving markets and the need to provide sustainable livelihoods to younger generations, the question facing Kashmir is not simply how to preserve Pashmina, but how to make its preservation economically meaningful for the people who produce it. That makes recognition of artisans more than a ceremonial exercise.

The People Behind The Pashmina Label: Every Pashmina shawl represents a chain of specialised skills. The transformation of raw fibre into a finished product involves knowledge that has traditionally moved from one generation to another. The Lieutenant Governor described every Pashmina shawl, Kani product and Sozni embroidery as “a living heritage”, shaped by patience and devotion. That description points to an important distinction between a craft and a commodity. A commodity can be mass-produced and replaced. A traditional craft depends on human knowledge accumulated over decades. Once that knowledge disappears from a community, rebuilding it can be extremely difficult.

For Kashmir, This Makes Artisans An Important Cultural Resource As Well As An Economic One: The Pashmina tradition is particularly significant because its reputation rests on craftsmanship. The value of a genuine handmade product is connected not merely to the raw material but to the time, precision and expertise invested in transforming it into something that carries an identifiable Kashmiri character. This is also why authenticity has become increasingly important. The Government has said that 18 crafts in Jammu and Kashmir have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags, while a QR-based authentication system has also been developed. Such mechanisms can potentially help consumers distinguish genuine products from imitations and, in turn, strengthen the market position of artisans. But certification alone cannot secure the future of a craft. The artisan at the end of the production chain must also receive a fair share of the value generated by the final product.

Women At The Centre Of An Old Tradition: One of the defining features of this year’s awards was the focus on women artisans. For generations, women’s contribution to Kashmir’s handicraft economy has often remained within homes and communities, rather than receiving the same public visibility accorded to finished products, traders or brands. Sinha said women artisans are “the silent creators, its custodians and its heartbeat” of the Pashmina tradition. The emphasis is significant because preserving traditional craftsmanship increasingly depends on recognising the people who possess these skills. Women are involved in different stages of the production process, including embroidery and other forms of value addition. Their labour contributes directly to the distinctive character of Kashmiri products, yet the economic value of such work can be difficult to measure when it takes place within household-based production systems.

Greater Recognition Can Therefore Serve Two Purposes: First, it can give artisans social visibility and dignity. Second, it can help create conditions in which traditional skills become economically attractive to younger members of artisan families. If the next generation sees craftsmanship only as low-paid and insecure work, traditional skills may gradually disappear despite their cultural importance. But if craftsmanship provides recognition, stable income, access to markets, social security and opportunities for innovation, it can become a viable livelihood rather than merely a heritage occupation.

Fair Remuneration Is Central To Preservation: The Lieutenant Governor assured artisans of the Government of India’s commitment in four broad areas, beginning with fair remuneration and protection of GI tags. The emphasis on remuneration is perhaps the most important part of the conversation around traditional crafts. There is often a contradiction in the heritage economy: consumers may pay premium prices for products marketed as handmade and traditional, while the person who actually creates the product may receive only a fraction of the final value. Addressing this gap requires stronger connections between artisans and markets. Digital platforms, exhibitions, direct-to-consumer models and organised producer groups can potentially reduce the distance between the maker and the buyer. They can also allow artisans to understand changing consumer preferences and receive better returns from specialised products. The Government’s assurance of expanding access to global markets through e-commerce, exhibitions and digital platforms therefore has relevance beyond promotion. For artisans, market access can determine whether a traditional skill remains economically sustainable. A product may have immense cultural value, but unless there is a dependable market willing to pay for the skill and time involved, cultural recognition alone cannot sustain the artisan community.

Technology Can Protect Tradition Rather Than Replace It: There is sometimes an assumption that modernisation and traditional craftsmanship are contradictory. The experience of Pashmina suggests otherwise. Technology can be used to strengthen traditional production without replacing the human skill that gives handmade products their character. Digital authentication, for example, can help establish provenance. E-commerce can connect artisans with customers outside Kashmir. Social media can allow craftspeople and small enterprises to tell the story behind their products. Digital catalogues can help preserve patterns and designs. Similarly, modern design training can help artisans respond to changing consumer preferences without abandoning traditional techniques. The challenge is to ensure that innovation remains an instrument in the artisan’s hands rather than a substitute for the artisan. That balance will become increasingly important as younger consumers seek products that combine tradition with contemporary design.

“The PEMA Foundation has previously organised editions of the awards in 2023 and 2025. The 2026 edition, according to the Lieutenant Governor, marks a milestone because of its special focus on women artisans…”

A Calibrated Response Rather Than An Open-Ended Conflict: A central feature of the official description of Operation Sindoor has been calibration. The initial Defence Ministry statement explicitly characterised the action as measured and non-escalatory. That distinction matters because military action against terrorist infrastructure across an international boundary or in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir carries the risk of escalation. The challenge for policymakers is consequently twofold: demonstrate the capacity and willingness to respond to terrorism while preventing an individual counter-terrorism operation from automatically developing into a broader conventional conflict. The Government’s framing of Operation Sindoor emphasised this balance. The objective was presented as targeting terrorist infrastructure while maintaining limits on the scope of the operation. This represents one of the more significant strategic questions for India’s future counter-terrorism policy: how to retain credible deterrence while keeping escalation under control.

The Role Of Technology: Technology has increasingly become central to India’s counter-terrorism architecture. The Government’s account of Operation Sindoor highlighted indigenous systems and multi-domain capabilities, pointing to drones, air-defence systems and electronic warfare. This technological transition has implications beyond a single operation. The battlefield is changing rapidly. Drones have become relatively inexpensive and widely accessible. Artificial intelligence can assist in analysing large volumes of information. Satellite imagery can improve situational awareness. Electronic warfare can disrupt communications and sensors. At the same time, terrorist organisations can also exploit technology.

This means that technological superiority cannot be treated as a permanent advantage. It requires continuous investment, innovation and adaptation. For India, the emphasis on indigenous defence technology also connects counter-terrorism with the larger objective of defence self-reliance.

From Military Response To A Broader Security Architecture: The evolution described by Modi is not confined to military operations. Counter-terrorism also involves diplomacy, intelligence cooperation, financial tracking, border management and disruption of recruitment networks. The Government’s post-Pahalgam response included diplomatic and economic measures directed at Pakistan, alongside military action. The broader strategy indicates that terrorism is increasingly being treated as a multi-dimensional security challenge. A terrorist organisation does not operate only from a physical camp. It can rely on financing, recruitment, propaganda, logistics and cross-border networks. Consequently, dismantling the physical infrastructure is only one part of the longer-term challenge. Sustained counter-terrorism requires preventing the rebuilding of those networks.

Evolution In India’s Counter-Terror Response Has A Direct Local Significance: For Jammu and Kashmir, the evolution in India’s counter-terror response has a direct local significance. The region has remained at the centre of the cross-border terrorism challenge for decades, while civilians have repeatedly borne the consequences of violence. The Pahalgam attack demonstrated that terrorism continues to have consequences not only for security personnel but also for civilians and the region’s tourism-dependent economy. The response to such attacks therefore has implications beyond the battlefield. Security, tourism, investment, employment and public confidence are interconnected. A reduction in terrorist violence can potentially create greater space for economic activity and normal civic life, although security outcomes depend on a range of factors and cannot be attributed to military operations alone. For Kashmir, the larger objective remains the creation of an environment in which terrorism loses the ability to disrupt civilian life. The central argument advanced by Modi in Mann Ki Baat was that India’s responses since 2016 have communicated a different threshold for dealing with terrorism. The Government’s own later assessment described the 2016 surgical strikes, Balakot and Operation Sindoor as marking a shift towards swift, calibrated responses to cross-border terrorism. The strategic purpose of such a policy is deterrence: creating uncertainty for those planning terrorist attacks about the consequences that may follow. But deterrence is difficult to measure directly. The absence of a particular attack cannot automatically be attributed to any single military operation. Terrorist organisations can also alter tactics, geography and methods in response to counter-measures. What can be observed, however, is the evolution of India’s declared policy and the range of capabilities it has demonstrated.

The Human Cost Remains The Starting Point: Amid discussions of strikes, technology and strategic doctrine, the human cost of terrorism remains the central reason for counter-terrorism efforts. Prime Minister Modi recalled the September 13, 2008 Delhi blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, as well as the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. He noted that Indians were among the victims of 9/11 and paid tribute to those killed. The remembrance serves as a reminder that counter-terrorism policy ultimately concerns the protection of civilian life. The Pahalgam attack reinforced that reality. The victims were not military personnel engaged in combat. They were civilians whose lives were abruptly taken by terrorism. The response, therefore, has a dual purpose: preventing further attacks while preserving the space for ordinary people to live, travel, work and pursue their livelihoods without fear.

A Decade Of Evolution—And The Next Challenge: Ten years after the 2016 surgical strikes, the trajectory highlighted by Modi runs through three major milestones: the cross-LoC action of 2016, the Balakot airstrike of 2019 and Operation Sindoor of 2025.

Kashmir Horizon View: The common thread has been the government’s stated intention to respond more directly to terrorist infrastructure and to combine military capability with intelligence and technological capacity. Operation Sindoor added another layer by demonstrating the importance of jointness, precision systems and indigenous defence technologies, according to official accounts. The next stage will require sustaining these capabilities while ensuring that counter-terrorism remains precise, intelligence-led and focused on protecting civilians. The challenge is also to ensure that military capability is complemented by prevention: stronger intelligence networks, effective border security, disruption of terrorist financing, international cooperation and efforts to prevent radicalisation and recruitment. India’s counter-terrorism experience over the past decade thus points to a broader lesson. Security policy is no longer defined only by what happens after an attack. It increasingly depends on the ability to anticipate threats, identify networks, use technology intelligently, coordinate across institutions and respond proportionately when violence occurs. From the surgical strikes of 2016 to Operation Sindoor, the language of India’s counter-terrorism policy has changed significantly. The enduring objective, however, remains much simpler: to ensure that terrorism does not dictate the lives of India’s citizens.

That is ultimately the measure against which any security doctrine has to be viewed—not merely the reach of its weapons, but its ability to protect lives, preserve stability and create greater confidence in the country’s capacity to confront the threat.

(“Team Kashmir Horizon” is committed to continuous improvement and invites feedback and suggestions from readers and its followers on social media sites. Reader insights are considered vital for enhancing content quality and empowering the community. The team encourages open communication and values the thoughts and ideas of its audience, believing that such input will enable them to serve the public more effectively. The initiative aims to ensure that readers have the best possible experience with “Kashmir Horizon”. Interested individuals can reach out to us via email at editor@thekashmirhorizon.com.)

Srinagar| Sept,  26: Jammu and Kashmir Bank is preparing to turn its latest financial gains into a wider expansion of its banking network, workforce and digital operations after its total business crossed the ₹3 trillion mark, signalling a new phase for the region’s largest financial institution. The milestone comes alongside the bank’s strongest-ever annual profit of ₹2,363 crore for 2025-26, giving the institution a stronger financial base as it looks to add more than 100 branches over the next two years, recruit fresh officers and associates and invest further in technology and cyber security. The strategy outlined at the bank’s 88th Annual General Meeting suggests that its next phase will be defined not simply by increasing business volumes but by combining expansion with stronger capital buffers, improved customer experience and greater operational efficiency. Managing Director and CEO Amitava Chatterjee told shareholders that the bank crossed the ₹3 trillion total-business mark in June 2026, moving from ₹2 lakh crore to ₹3 lakh crore in a relatively short period. The achievement assumes particular significance for an institution that has historically played a central role in financing households, businesses and entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Chatterjee said the bank had maintained its growth trajectory despite challenging circumstances and delivered a fourth consecutive year of record profitability. The ₹2,363-crore net profit represented a 13.5 per cent year-on-year increase. The management is now looking to build on this performance through a calibrated expansion of both its physical and digital presence.

100-Plus Branches In Two Years: The bank’s most visible expansion plan is the proposed addition of more than 100 branches over the next two years. However, Chatterjee made it clear that the expansion would not be driven merely by increasing the number of branches. New outlets, he said, would be established only where they are commercially viable and capable of contributing productively to the bank’s business. The strategy reflects a shift towards a more targeted branch network, with potential expansion linked to customer demand, economic activity and business opportunities. The bank is also preparing to issue a recruitment notification for officers and associates in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The fresh recruitment is expected to provide additional manpower for the proposed expansion while strengthening the bank’s existing workforce. For customers, the expansion could mean greater access to banking services in emerging economic centres, while for the bank it offers an opportunity to deepen its deposit and credit base.

Stronger Balance Sheet Supports Growth: The expansion plans are being backed by a stronger capital position. J&K Bank recorded its highest-ever capital adequacy ratio of 16.55 per cent, while its Common Equity Tier-1 ratio stood at 13.54 per cent. Its return on assets was 1.37 per cent and return on equity 16.85 per cent. Chatterjee said these indicators had comfortably exceeded the bank’s guidance and provided a stronger foundation for sustainable growth. The management, however, expects capital requirements to increase as the bank expands and as the regulatory environment evolves. The anticipated transition to the Expected Credit Loss framework is among the factors being considered in the bank’s capital planning. The uncertain geopolitical environment has also encouraged financial institutions to maintain stronger capital buffers. This explains the bank’s decision not to declare a dividend for the current year despite recording its highest-ever annual profit. Chatterjee said the decision was influenced by three considerations—the geopolitical environment, impending regulatory changes and the bank’s growth requirements. He stressed that the move did not represent a change in the bank’s dividend policy and assured shareholders that dividends would be paid as usual in the coming years.

Digital Expansion Becomes A Second Growth Engine: While the bank is preparing to expand its physical network, technology is increasingly becoming equally important to its growth strategy. Investments in digital platforms, data analytics, cybersecurity and process automation have become central to the bank’s effort to improve customer service and operational efficiency. Digital transactions increased by up to 94 per cent during 2025-26, highlighting the rapid shift in customer behaviour and growing reliance on digital banking channels. For J&K Bank, the digital transformation also provides an opportunity to reach customers beyond the limitations of traditional branch banking. At the same time, the rapid expansion of digital services brings greater exposure to cyber risks. The management has therefore identified cybersecurity as a continuing priority alongside digital innovation. Chairman S. Krishnan said technology must ultimately serve the customer, rather than become an objective in itself. “Technology is the means. Customer experience is the end,” he said. The bank’s stated objective of becoming the “Bank of Choice” is consequently being linked with investments in people, technology, cybersecurity, customer service and innovation.

CASA Remains A Focus Area: The changing pattern of household savings also emerged as an important issue during the AGM. Chatterjee acknowledged that the bank’s CASA ratio had declined, but said the trend was visible across the banking industry as customers increasingly explored instruments offering higher returns. These include fixed deposits, capital markets and mutual funds. Despite the decline in the ratio, J&K Bank continues to maintain CASA above 45 per cent as of March 31, 2026. Chatterjee said it would be inaccurate to suggest that the bank was losing CASA deposits in absolute terms, as the volume of such deposits had continued to increase even though their proportion of total deposits had declined. The bank is now looking at ways to improve its CASA position as part of its broader effort to strengthen its deposit franchise.

Banking With A Larger Economic Role: The bank’s future strategy also places considerable emphasis on entrepreneurship. Chairman Krishnan highlighted J&K Bank’s role in supporting entrepreneurship and specifically referred to its participation in Mission YUVA. The initiative is significant in the context of efforts to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs and create economic activity. The bank’s role is increasingly moving beyond traditional lending towards providing financial tools and technology that can help businesses develop and scale. This evolution could have wider implications for the regional economy, particularly as small businesses, startups and young entrepreneurs seek easier access to formal finance and digital financial services. The bank’s expansion, therefore, is not limited to adding branches or increasing its balance sheet. Its stated objective is to deepen its role in the economic ecosystem through credit, technology and entrepreneurship.

From ₹3 Trillion To The Next Growth Cycle: The ₹3-trillion business milestone has given J&K Bank a new platform from which to pursue its next growth cycle. The combination of record profitability, stronger capital adequacy, rising digital transactions and plans for additional branches and recruitment provides the bank with considerable room to expand. Yet the management’s emphasis on commercial viability and sustainable earnings indicates that the next phase is also expected to be more disciplined. The bank will have to navigate regulatory changes, changing customer preferences, geopolitical uncertainty and the capital requirements associated with expansion. Its performance over the coming years will therefore depend on how effectively it converts financial strength into sustainable business growth while retaining customer confidence. At the AGM, Krishnan placed the bank’s future in the larger context of its regional role, saying its performance should not be judged only by its size but also by its contribution to the economic and social transformation of the region. With the ₹3-trillion threshold crossed, J&K Bank now appears to be entering precisely that next stage—one in which scale, technology, capital strength and customer reach will increasingly determine how effectively it can serve a changing economy.

Mohammad Irfan

The launch of the book “Sardar Patel and Kashmir: The Untold History”  in Srinagar has brought the constitutional history of Jammu Kashmir, particularly the legacy of Article 370, back into the centre of public discussion. Launching the book on September 22, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 as the fulfilment of what he termed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s “unfinished dream”. He said the constitutional changes had opened new possibilities in education, employment, entrepreneurship and development for the youth of Jammu Kashmir and placed the Union Territory at the threshold of what he described as a new future. The remarks gave the book launch a significance extending beyond the publication itself. At its heart was a larger question: how should the political and constitutional transformation of Jammu Kashmir since 2019 be understood, and what does the legacy of Sardar Patel mean for the region’s future? Article 370 had for decades been one of the defining constitutional features of Jammu Kashmir. The provision created special constitutional arrangements for the erstwhile state and governed the manner in which provisions of the Indian Constitution were extended to it. In August 2019, the Union government issued Constitutional Orders 272 and 273, while Parliament enacted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The latter reorganised the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 judgment, upheld the constitutional changes relating to Article 370 and held that the Constitution of India was fully applicable to Jammu Kashmir. For LG Sinha, the post-2019 phase represents an opportunity to move the region’s public conversation from the constitutional question that dominated much of its recent history towards development, opportunity, peace and empowerment. That transition is now increasingly being presented as the next chapter in Jammu Kashmir’s journey.

Article 370| From Constitutional Arrangement To Historical Turning Point: The story of Article 370 is inseparable from the complicated circumstances under which Jammu Kashmir became part of India in 1947. Unlike many other princely states, Jammu Kashmir’s accession occurred in the context of conflict and a rapidly changing political environment. The subsequent constitutional relationship between the state and the Union evolved through Article 370 and a series of Presidential Orders. Over the decades, the provision became a major point of political debate. Supporters of the earlier arrangement viewed it as an important constitutional expression of Jammu Kashmir’s distinctive circumstances, while successive governments and political groups debated its scope, permanence and implications for integration. The 2019 changes fundamentally altered that constitutional framework. The Supreme Court’s judgment of December 2023 is particularly important in understanding the legal status of the transformation. The Court recorded that Constitutional Orders 272 and 273 had the effect of applying the entire Constitution of India to Jammu Kashmir and abrogating Article 370 as it stood before those orders. It also upheld the constitutional validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, subject to the directions contained in its judgment. Thus, what had once been a defining constitutional distinction is now part of a new legal and administrative framework. It is this change that Sinha described at the book launch as consigning the “era of Article 370” to history. His interpretation is that the change has created a new starting point for Jammu Kashmir—one in which political energy can increasingly be directed towards economic development, social opportunity and institution-building.

Why Patel’s Legacy Enters The Article 370 Debate: The choice of Sardar Patel as the central figure of the new book gives the Article 370 discussion a historical dimension. Patel was one of the principal figures responsible for the integration of princely states into the Indian Union after Independence. As Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he worked closely with V.P. Menon during a period when the political map of newly independent India was still taking shape. The integration of hundreds of princely states was among the most consequential tasks facing the new government. At the Srinagar event, Sinha described Patel as the “architect of modern India” and credited his determination, organisational ability and practical approach with helping bring 562 princely states into a united country. The LG’s central argument was that Patel’s vision of national unity has contemporary relevance for Jammu Kashmir. He went further, saying that had Patel been given responsibility for Jammu Kashmir, some of the problems endured by its people for decades might not have arisen. That is Sinha’s historical assessment, rather than an established counterfactual, but it reflects the central argument he sought to draw from Patel’s legacy. The new book consequently provides a platform for examining Patel’s position on Kashmir and the circumstances surrounding the region’s integration.

2019 As A New Constitutional Chapter: For Jammu Kashmir, August 2019 represented a decisive institutional break with the previous constitutional arrangement. The Union government presented the changes as a measure to bring Jammu Kashmir fully into the constitutional and administrative framework applicable elsewhere in India. The reorganisation also altered the region’s administrative structure. The ertwhile state was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, with a legislature, and Ladakh, without a legislature. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act received presidential assent on August 9, 2019. The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling subsequently became an important legal milestone in determining the constitutional validity of the changes. For the administration in Jammu Kashmir, the importance of this legal and constitutional settlement lies in what it believes should follow from it. The argument is that once the long-standing constitutional dispute has been substantially settled, greater attention can be directed towards governance and development. That is why Sinha connected Article 370 with education, employment, entrepreneurship and infrastructure rather than treating the issue purely as a question of constitutional history.

From constitutional integration To Economic Integration: The next stage of the Jammu Kashmir story is increasingly being framed around economic integration. Constitutional integration establishes a legal relationship, but economic integration depends on whether people, businesses and institutions are able to participate fully in wider markets and opportunities. This is where infrastructure becomes important. Road connectivity, railway expansion, digital networks, airports, logistics facilities and urban infrastructure can reduce the economic disadvantages associated with geography. For Jammu Kashmir, where difficult terrain has historically affected connectivity and transportation costs, infrastructure can have an especially significant multiplier effect.

A Road Does More Than Reduce Travel Time: It can allow farmers to reach markets faster, enable tourists to access new destinations, connect students with educational institutions, facilitate movement of goods and encourage private investment. The same principle applies to digital connectivity. A young entrepreneur in Kashmir can increasingly serve customers outside the region without physically relocating. Digital services, e-commerce, software, online education and creative industries can all expand the economic space available to young people. This is why Sinha’s emphasis on the digital economy and startup culture is significant.

“LG Sinha described the youth of Jammu Kashmir as the region’s “most valuable asset” and stressed the need to channel their energy towards nation-building.The emphasis represents a shift in the narrative.For years, much of the national conversation around Jammu Kashmir centred on security, terrorism, constitutional status and political uncertainty……..”

Artificial Intelligence Youth As The Bridge Between The Two Eras: The most important link between the history of Article 370 and the future of Jammu Kashmir may be its youth. A constitutional transformation has limited meaning unless it is reflected in the lives and opportunities of the next generation. Sinha described the youth of Jammu Kashmir as the region’s “most valuable asset” and stressed the need to channel their energy towards nation-building. The emphasis represents a shift in the narrative. For years, much of the national conversation around Jammu Kashmir centred on security, terrorism, constitutional status and political uncertainty. The emerging policy narrative increasingly seeks to place education, skills, startups, technology, tourism and employment alongside security concerns. This does not mean that security challenges have disappeared. Rather, the argument is that lasting stability requires economic and social opportunities as well. A young population needs more than political assurances. It needs high-quality education, employable skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, access to capital, modern infrastructure and the confidence to build its future locally.

The startup Opportunity: Jammu Kashmir’s economic structure has traditionally relied heavily on agriculture, horticulture, tourism, government employment and small businesses. These sectors remain important, but the digital economy offers an opportunity to diversify. Startups can operate in areas ranging from tourism technology and handicrafts to agriculture, logistics, education, healthcare and software. The region’s unique products and cultural assets can also be taken to national and international markets through digital platforms. The challenge will be to build an ecosystem around these ideas. Entrepreneurs require incubation facilities, mentorship, finance, skilled employees, reliable connectivity and access to customers. Universities and colleges can become important parts of this ecosystem by connecting research with commercial applications. Srinagar and Jammu, in particular, have the institutional base to develop stronger innovation ecosystems. Sinha’s vision of these cities as centres of education, trade and innovation therefore reflects an attempt to connect the post-2019 phase with a more diversified economic future.

Development As The Next Measure Of Integration: The strongest test of any new political or constitutional phase is ultimately development. For ordinary citizens, constitutional arrangements matter, but so do employment, healthcare, education, roads, electricity, tourism and household incomes. The post-2019 narrative will therefore increasingly be judged by measurable outcomes. If constitutional integration is accompanied by greater economic integration, more investment, improved infrastructure and wider employment opportunities, the changes will acquire a practical meaning in people’s lives. This is also why Sinha’s four priorities—peace, infrastructure and connectivity, youth empowerment, and cultural revival—are interconnected. A peaceful environment encourages investment. Infrastructure connects markets. Youth entrepreneurship generates employment. Cultural tourism creates opportunities while preserving identity. Together, these elements can form a broader development model.

Peace Remains The Foundation: Sinha placed peace and security at the top of his priorities, reiterating the administration’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. For any development strategy in Jammu Kashmir, security remains a fundamental consideration. Tourism requires visitors to feel safe. Businesses require predictable conditions. Infrastructure projects require stability. Students and professionals need an environment in which they can pursue education and careers without disruption. At the same time, development can reinforce stability by giving young people greater economic opportunity and creating stronger links between communities and institutions. This makes peace and development mutually reinforcing rather than competing objectives. The broader challenge for governance is therefore to ensure that security measures, economic development and public services advance together.

Culture As A Source Of Strength: The fourth pillar highlighted by Sinha is cultural heritage. Jammu Kashmir possesses a distinctive cultural inheritance that includes historic architecture, crafts, literature, music, cuisine, pilgrimage traditions and diverse local practices. The post-Article 370 development narrative can incorporate this heritage not only as a tourism product but as an important component of social identity. Handicrafts and traditional industries provide livelihoods to thousands of families. Heritage tourism can create opportunities for local guides, artisans, hospitality providers and small businesses. Cultural preservation can also strengthen young people’s connection with their communities. In this sense, development does not necessarily mean replacing traditional identities with modern economic models. It can instead mean finding ways in which heritage becomes an asset within a modern economy.

A Fresh Examination Of History: The launch of Sardar Patel and Kashmir: The Untold History also raises an important question about how Jammu Kashmir’s history should be studied. Sinha called for historical narratives to be examined with honesty and impartiality and urged writers to treat history as a mirror of truth rather than an instrument of glorification. That approach is particularly relevant to Kashmir. The region’s modern history has been interpreted through different political perspectives, and several aspects remain contested among historians and political actors. A stronger engagement with archival material and primary sources can help broaden the debate. The value of historical research lies not necessarily in producing a single interpretation but in enabling citizens to understand why particular decisions were taken, what alternatives existed and what consequences followed. That becomes especially important when historical events continue to shape contemporary politics.

Patel’s Idea Of Unity And Today’s Jammu & Kashmir: The central theme of Patel’s legacy, as presented at the Srinagar event, is national unity. His integration of princely states created the territorial and administrative foundation of the Indian Union. Sinha’s argument is that the constitutional changes of 2019 should be viewed within this longer story of integration. The analogy has a clear political dimension, but it also offers a framework for considering what integration means beyond constitutional provisions. Modern integration is not simply territorial. It also involves economic participation, equal access to institutions, mobility, education, technology and opportunities. If Jammu Kashmir’s young people can participate fully in India’s expanding digital and entrepreneurial economy, integration acquires an economic dimension. If students can access educational opportunities across the country, it acquires a social dimension. If businesses in Jammu Kashmir can access national markets without structural barriers, it acquires a commercial dimension. And if the region’s cultural identity continues to flourish within this larger national framework, integration need not imply cultural uniformity. This is close to the idea Sinha invoked through “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”—unity alongside diversity.

Looking Beyond The Article 370 Debate:  The constitutional debate around Article 370 dominated Jammu Kashmir’s political discourse for generations. The 2019 changes and the Supreme Court’s 2023 judgment have now created a substantially different constitutional landscape. The challenge for the coming years is to move from constitutional settlement to institutional and economic consolidation. That means strengthening schools and universities, developing industries, improving healthcare, expanding tourism, encouraging entrepreneurship, building infrastructure and creating employment. It also means ensuring that young people see a future in which their ambitions can be realised within Jammu Kashmir. This is perhaps the most consequential shift in the narrative. The question is no longer only how Jammu Kashmir should be positioned constitutionally within India. It is increasingly about what kind of economy and society the region can build within that framework.

A New Chapter After A Long Constitutional Debate: The book launch has therefore provided an opportunity to connect three different periods of Jammu Kashmir’s history. The first is the period of Independence and the integration of princely states, in which Sardar Patel emerged as a central nation-builder. The second is the long constitutional era in which Article 370 became one of the defining features of Jammu Kashmir’s relationship with the Union. The third is the post-2019 period, in which the constitutional framework has been fundamentally altered and the region is being presented with a development-oriented future. Sinha’s message is that these three periods should not be viewed in isolation. For him, the legacy of Patel provides a historical lens through which the 2019 changes can be interpreted, while the post-2019 period should ultimately be judged by the opportunities it creates for the people of Jammu Kashmir. That makes development the most important next chapter.

From History To Opportunity: The lasting significance of the Article 370 transformation will ultimately depend on what Jammu Kashmir makes of the new constitutional environment. The region possesses considerable strengths: a highly educated youth population, internationally recognised tourism destinations, a strong horticulture sector, traditional handicrafts, an expanding infrastructure network and major educational institutions. Its geography, culture and natural resources can also support new economic opportunities. The task is to connect these strengths with modern markets. That requires investment, innovation and skills. It requires young people to become participants in the digital economy. It requires universities to become centres of research and entrepreneurship. It requires cities to become hubs of trade and innovation. And it requires rural areas to be connected to markets and services. This is where the post-370 narrative moves from politics to policy.

Kashmir Horizon View: At the Srinagar launch, Sinha described the book as a “lighthouse” illuminating Patel’s vision of a united and confident India. The metaphor is significant because the event was ultimately less about looking backwards than about drawing lessons for the future. Patel’s contribution to India’s integration belongs to history. Article 370’s constitutional journey has entered a new phase following the 2019 changes and the Supreme Court’s 2023 judgment. The next challenge is to ensure that Jammu Kashmir’s future is defined increasingly by peace, opportunity and development. The LG’s four priorities provide one such framework: security, connectivity, youth empowerment and cultural revival. Each addresses a different requirement of a modern economy and society. Together, they suggest a development model in which peace creates stability, infrastructure creates access, youth create innovation and culture creates identity and economic opportunity. For Jammu Kashmir, this could represent a significant transition—from a political narrative dominated for decades by constitutional questions towards one increasingly centred on human development. The history of Article 370 will continue to be studied and debated. So will the role of Sardar Patel in Jammu Kashmir’s early constitutional history. But the most important measure of the next chapter will be practical: whether young people find greater opportunities, whether businesses grow, whether infrastructure connects communities, whether tourism and traditional industries expand, and whether peace becomes sufficiently durable for development to take deeper root.

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Mohammad Irfan

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Make in India’ initiative on September 25, 2014, the central proposition was straightforward but ambitious: India should not merely be a large consumer market but should increasingly become a place where goods are designed, manufactured and exported to the world. Twelve years later, the initiative has evolved well beyond its original campaign identity. It has become an umbrella for a series of policy interventions aimed at attracting investment, expanding domestic manufacturing, improving infrastructure, supporting technology-intensive industries and integrating Indian companies into global value chains. Marking the completion of 12 years on September 25, Prime Minister Modi highlighted three broad outcomes of the initiative—“more made in India”, “more investment in India” and “more exports from India”—and said that the transformation was visible across sectors. The more significant story, however, lies not merely in the slogan but in how the manufacturing ecosystem has changed during this period. According to the government’s latest assessment, manufacturing Gross Value Added at constant prices recorded a compound annual growth rate of 10.88 per cent between 2022-23 and 2025-26 under the revised national accounts series. The manufacturing component of the Index of Industrial Production also grew 7 per cent during April-July 2026 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier. These figures suggest that the manufacturing push has acquired greater breadth, even as the larger objective of making India a globally competitive manufacturing base remains an ongoing process.

From An Initiative To An Industrial Policy Architecture: One of the important changes over the past 12 years has been the expansion of Make in India from a broad investment-promotion initiative into a wider policy architecture. Make in India 2.0 currently covers 27 sectors, including 15 manufacturing sectors and 12 services sectors. Alongside it, the government has introduced or expanded programmes such as the Production Linked Incentive scheme, National Single Window System, PM GatiShakti, the GIS-enabled Industrial Land Bank, Startup India, industrial parks, public procurement measures and initiatives to reduce compliance burdens. This matters because manufacturing competitiveness depends on more than factories. A company deciding to establish a production facility must consider land, logistics, power, skilled workers, taxation, access to suppliers, regulatory approvals, ports and roads, technology and the availability of a market. The policy approach of the past decade has increasingly attempted to address these interconnected requirements rather than treating manufacturing as an isolated activity. The Production Linked Incentive scheme represents perhaps the clearest example of this shift. Introduced across 14 strategic sectors, the scheme links incentives to incremental production and sales, encouraging companies to expand manufacturing capacity in India. By December 2025, the PLI framework had attracted more than Rs 2.16 lakh crore in investment, generated over Rs 20.41 lakh crore in incremental production and sales, and supported more than 14.39 lakh direct and indirect jobs, according to government data. By June 2026, the government reported that cumulative PLI investments had risen to Rs 2.6 lakh crore, with production and sales of Rs 23.8 lakh crore, exports exceeding Rs 15.5 lakh crore and 14.6 lakh jobs generated across the covered sectors. The figures illustrate how Make in India has increasingly relied on targeted industrial policy rather than a single incentive or program.

Electronics| Perhaps The Most Visible Transformation: Few sectors demonstrate the changing character of Indian manufacturing as clearly as electronics. In 2014-15, electronics production was valued at around Rs 1.9 lakh crore. By 2025-26, government data put electronics production at approximately Rs 13.11 lakh crore—nearly seven times the earlier level. Mobile-phone production increased from around Rs 18,900 crore to approximately Rs 6.3 lakh crore during the same period. India is now the world’s second-largest mobile-phone manufacturer by volume, according to the government’s latest Make in India assessment. The transformation is also reflected in export figures. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology data show that electronics production rose from Rs 6.41 lakh crore in 2021-22 to Rs 11.33 lakh crore in 2024-25. Electronics exports increased from Rs 1.17 lakh crore to Rs 3.27 lakh crore over the same period, registering a compound annual growth rate of about 40.9 per cent. More importantly, the sector is gradually moving beyond simple assembly. Government data on the PLI programme indicate that domestic manufacturing has expanded into printed circuit board assemblies, batteries, camera and display modules, enclosures and other sub-assemblies. The direction of this change is significant because the long-term value of manufacturing depends on the depth of the domestic supply chain, not simply on the final assembly of imported components.

The challenge ahead is therefore to deepen localisation further, bringing more components, design capabilities, semiconductor-related activities and high-value technologies into India’s production ecosystem.

Automobiles Show The Depth Of An Established Industrial Base: The automobile industry provides another important window into India’s manufacturing trajectory. India already possessed a substantial automotive industry before Make in India was launched. The significance of the past 12 years, therefore, is less about creating the sector from scratch and more about expanding its scale, technological capabilities, supply chains and export potential. According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ annual report, vehicle production in India increased from around two million units in 1991-92 to approximately 31 million units in 2024-25. The Indian automotive industry’s turnover is estimated at around $240 billion, or roughly Rs 20 lakh crore. The industry has also become an important destination for foreign investment and a major source of components and engineering capabilities. The next phase is increasingly linked to electric mobility, batteries, advanced chemistry cells and cleaner transportation technologies. These areas have been included within the broader manufacturing incentive framework, indicating that Make in India is being used not only to expand traditional manufacturing but also to position Indian industry for emerging technologies. That transition is particularly important because global manufacturing is being reshaped by electrification, automation, artificial intelligence and supply-chain diversification.

Defence Manufacturing|From Procurement To Production And Exports : Defence is another area where the domestic manufacturing base has expanded sharply. India’s defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, according to government data. Defence exports increased from Rs 686 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26. Government figures state that Indian defence products are now being exported to more than 80 countries. The significance of this change extends beyond the export number. A domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem can create demand for engineering, electronics, materials, software, precision manufacturing and research. The government’s indigenization programmes have also sought to expand the role of domestic firms, startups and academic institutions. Since 2022-23, 25 per cent of the defence research and development budget has been opened to industry, startups and academia, according to the Ministry of Defence data cited by the government. This reflects a broader movement from a procurement-centred model towards a more integrated defence industrial ecosystem.

Investment As A Critical Pillar: The second part of the Prime Minister’s September 25 message—“more investment in India”—is equally important. India received cumulative FDI inflows of approximately $843 billion between financial years 2014-15 and 2025-26, according to government data. The figure represents a substantial increase over the preceding 12-year period. FDI inflows in 2025-26 were reported at a record $94.53 billion. Manufacturing has been an important component of this investment story. Government data put manufacturing FDI equity inflows between April 2014 and March 2025 at $184.15 billion. Total FDI inflows during 2014-25 were reported at $748.78 billion. The significance of FDI for Make in India is not limited to the capital it brings. Foreign investment can bring technology, managerial practices, supplier networks and access to international markets. When foreign companies manufacture in India and source increasingly from Indian suppliers, the potential impact extends beyond the individual factory.The policy challenge is to ensure that investment creates deeper domestic value addition, technology transfer, employment and local supply chains.

Exports Provide The Global Test: The third pillar highlighted by the Prime Minister is exports.India’s total merchandise and services exports were estimated at $860.09 billion in 2025-26, compared with $825.26 billion in 2024-25, an increase of about 4.22 per cent. Manufacturing exports are particularly important to the Make in India proposition because the ultimate test of an industrial strategy is whether products made domestically can compete in global markets on quality, price, reliability and delivery. Electronics and defence offer two examples of changing export profiles, while pharmaceuticals, automobiles, engineering goods, textiles and chemicals remain important parts of India’s export basket. The emerging pattern is therefore not a single-sector transformation but a gradual diversification of India’s manufacturing and export base.

“Since 2022-23, 25 per cent of the defence research and development budget has been opened to industry, startups and academia, according to the Ministry of Defence data cited by the government.….”

The Green Manufacturing And The Next Industrial Frontier: The next phase of Make in India is also being shaped by the global energy transition. Solar manufacturing has expanded considerably, with India reaching 100 GW of solar photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers framework in 2025, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Advanced batteries, electric vehicles, renewable-energy equipment and green technologies are increasingly becoming part of the industrial policy conversation. This could become an important dimension of India’s manufacturing strategy because global investment decisions are increasingly influenced by supply-chain resilience as well as environmental considerations. India’s opportunity lies in combining its large domestic market with manufacturing capacity that can serve international demand for cleaner technologies.

Beyond Factories| Infra, Logistics: Manufacturing cannot expand sustainably without infrastructure. Over the past decade, the government’s industrial strategy has therefore been accompanied by initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, industrial corridors, industrial parks and the National Single Window System. The objective is to reduce the time and cost involved in moving goods and establishing industrial units. This is an important but less visible aspect of the Make in India story. A modern manufacturing economy depends on the efficiency of the entire chain—from raw material and component suppliers to factories, warehouses, ports, airports, roads and final markets.The growing emphasis on integrated infrastructure planning reflects an understanding that competitiveness is determined by the entire production ecosystem.

The MSME Dimension: Large factories often receive the most attention, but India’s manufacturing ecosystem is heavily dependent on micro, small and medium enterprises. MSMEs supply components, provide specialised services and form the backbone of several industrial clusters. Their integration into larger domestic and global value chains is therefore critical. The long-term impact of Make in India will depend partly on whether smaller enterprises can adopt modern technology, access affordable finance, improve quality standards and become reliable suppliers to large Indian and multinational companies. The spread of digital systems, formalisation and new procurement mechanisms has created additional opportunities, but financing, technology adoption and scale remain important areas requiring continued attention.

The Unfinished Agenda: The 12-year journey also makes clear that manufacturing transformation is a long-term project rather than a completed destination. India’s manufacturing sector still needs deeper domestic supply chains, greater research and development, stronger technology capabilities and higher productivity. The country also needs to increase its participation in sophisticated global value chains where design, intellectual property and advanced components account for a larger share of value. Employment is another important dimension. Higher manufacturing output does not automatically translate into proportionately higher employment. Automation and modern production methods can raise productivity while limiting the number of workers required for individual production lines. The broader objective, therefore, is to create an ecosystem in which manufacturing expansion generates jobs not only inside factories but also across logistics, services, supplier networks, maintenance, design and technology. Skill development will consequently remain central to the next phase.

Kashmir Horizon View: The most significant feature of the Make in India journey may ultimately be the changing definition of what it means to manufacture in India. In its initial phase, the emphasis was strongly associated with attracting companies and encouraging production. Over time, the agenda has widened to include domestic components, strategic technologies, research and development, startups, infrastructure, exports, supply-chain resilience and integration with global markets. The Government’s latest assessment describes this transition as a movement from simply producing more goods towards building the skills, technology and capacity required to create greater value domestically and compete internationally. The numbers provide evidence of substantial expansion in several areas: electronics production has multiplied, defence exports have risen sharply, pharmaceutical and medical-device investments have grown, FDI has expanded and PLI-supported sectors have recorded significant investment, production and employment. At the same time, these figures also point towards the scale of the next challenge. The question for the coming decade is increasingly not whether India can manufacture, but how much value it can create through manufacturing—and how deeply Indian firms can participate in global technology and supply chains. Twelve years after its launch, Make in India has therefore moved from being principally an investment invitation to becoming part of a broader industrial strategy. The journey from assembling products to designing, developing and exporting them at scale will determine the next chapter. For India, the opportunity is substantial: a large domestic market, a growing industrial base, expanding infrastructure, a sizeable workforce and an increasingly diversified manufacturing ecosystem. The first twelve years have built much of the foundation. The next phase will be about depth—more domestic value addition, more technology, stronger supply chains, greater productivity and a larger presence in global markets.That is ultimately where the longer-term significance of “Make in India” will be measured.

(“Team Kashmir Horizon” is committed to continuous improvement and invites feedback and suggestions from readers and its followers on social media sites. Reader insights are considered vital for enhancing content quality and empowering the community. The team encourages open communication and values the thoughts and ideas of its audience, believing that such input will enable them to serve the public more effectively. The initiative aims to ensure that readers have the best possible experience with “Kashmir Horizon”. Interested individuals can reach out to us via email at editor@thekashmirhorizon.com.)

Srinagar| Sept, 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to reconvene in Srinagar on September 21 for its autumn session, bringing the elected House back to the centre of political and policy debate after weeks of activity outside the legislature. The sixth session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will continue until September 30. Although the calendar spans 10 days, it will effectively have seven sitting days, with September 23 marked as a holiday for Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday, September 26 designated as an off day and September 27 falling on Sunday. The session is expected to provide an important platform for the government and Opposition to debate issues ranging from employment and reservation to development, electricity, governance, public welfare and the demand for restoration of statehood. With 90 members represented in the House, including 41 National Conference MLAs, 29 BJP members, seven Independents, six Congress MLAs, four PDP members and representatives of the Peoples Conference, CPI(M) and Aam Aadmi Party, the Assembly reflects a diverse political composition. The return of the House is therefore significant not merely as a constitutional requirement but as an opportunity for elected representatives to place constituency-level concerns and wider policy questions before the government.
A House Prepared For Business: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned the Assembly to meet from September 21 following the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. The formal convening has set the stage for a session in which the government will present its legislative and policy agenda while members are expected to raise matters concerning their constituencies and the wider public. The Assembly Secretariat has already undertaken extensive preparations to ensure that proceedings take place smoothly. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather recently reviewed arrangements with senior officers from the General Administration Department, Law, Information Technology, security, traffic, health, hospitality and protocol, estates, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and other departments. The Speaker stressed the importance of advance planning, coordination and administrative preparedness, particularly because the session is relatively short but carries considerable legislative responsibility. The preparations cover virtually every aspect of the session, from security and traffic management to internet connectivity, sanitation, medical facilities, power and water supply and arrangements for media coverage. The Assembly Secretariat has also asked departments to ensure timely submission of replies to questions raised by legislators and to designate nodal officers for coordination with the House. This preparation assumes importance because the effectiveness of a legislative session depends not only on the debates inside the chamber but also on the administrative systems supporting the proceedings.
Digital Assembly Takes Centre Stage: One of the notable features of the upcoming session is the continued use of the National e-Vidhan Application, or NeVA. The legislative business for the autumn session is being processed and managed through the digital platform, which is designed to facilitate paperless functioning and streamline legislative work. The IT Department has been directed to ensure reliable internet connectivity and technical support throughout the proceedings. The move towards a hybrid digital system represents another stage in the modernisation of legislative functioning in Jammu and Kashmir. Through NeVA, members and departments can access legislative material, questions, bills and other House-related information through a common digital platform. For legislators, this can make access to information more efficient, while for the Assembly Secretariat it provides an integrated mechanism for managing legislative business.The digitalisation of the House also reflects the broader transition of public institutions towards technology-enabled governance.
Seven Sitting Days, Diverse Business: The provisional calendar provides a clear structure for the autumn session. The opening sitting on September 21 will begin with obituary references, followed by government business during the subsequent sitting days. September 24 has been earmarked for Private Members’ Bills, while September 25 will focus on Private Members’ Resolutions. Private Members’ Bills are scheduled again on September 28, followed by government business on September 29 and 30. The structure provides members with opportunities to raise both constituency-specific concerns and broader policy matters. The allocation of dedicated days for private members’ business is particularly significant because it allows individual legislators to bring legislative proposals and resolutions to the floor outside the government’s own legislative agenda.The government business days, meanwhile, will provide the administration an opportunity to explain its policies, introduce legislative proposals and respond to questions raised by members.
Issues Likely To Dominate Debate: The political focus of the session is expected to centre on several issues that have remained prominent in Jammu and Kashmir’s public discourse. Employment is likely to be among the major subjects. Unemployment and government recruitment remain important concerns for young people, and legislators are expected to seek information about recruitment, job creation and employment-related policies. The question of outsourcing is also expected to feature prominently, particularly in discussions surrounding government employment and service delivery. Reservation policy is another issue likely to generate substantial discussion. The subject has remained politically significant, with legislators from different parties expressing concerns and seeking clarity on the existing framework. The Assembly provides an institutional platform for these competing concerns to be debated on record. Development is another broad area likely to receive attention. MLAs are expected to raise constituency-specific requirements involving roads, public infrastructure, healthcare, education, water supply and other basic services. For legislators, the Assembly offers an opportunity to move individual constituency concerns into the formal policy process. For the government, the session provides an opportunity to present its development agenda and explain the implementation of ongoing schemes and projects. Power supply and electricity policy are also expected to figure prominently. With electricity remaining an important public issue across Jammu and Kashmir, legislators are likely to seek responses on supply, infrastructure, tariffs and the broader power situation.The debate could also connect with wider questions concerning the Union Territory’s economic development and household welfare.
Statehood Remains A Major Political Question: The demand for restoration of statehood is expected to remain among the most significant political themes during the session. The issue has continued to occupy an important place in Jammu and Kashmir’s political discourse since the reorganisation of the former state in 2019. The Assembly gives elected representatives a formal democratic platform to articulate their positions on the issue. The ruling National Conference has consistently made restoration of statehood an important political demand, while Opposition parties have their own positions and approaches on the matter. The coming session could therefore provide another opportunity for the House to debate the constitutional and political future of Jammu and Kashmir within the framework of the elected legislature.
Opposition Prepares For The Session: The BJP, as the principal Opposition party in the Assembly, has indicated that it will raise issues concerning the public. BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa said the party was prepared to raise unemployment, development, public grievances and questions of government accountability. “The BJP is fully prepared for the Assembly session,” Randhawa said, adding that the government would have to respond to issues concerning the people through the House. The Opposition’s role is expected to focus on questioning the government, seeking explanations on policy implementation and placing alternative viewpoints before the legislature. The presence of 29 BJP members gives the party a substantial strength on the Opposition benches, while the Leader of Opposition is Sunil Kumar Sharma, according to the official Assembly portal. Other Opposition and non-ruling parties are also expected to use the session to raise issues. Recent preparations have included an all-party and Business Advisory Committee meeting chaired by Speaker Rather, with participation from representatives of the BJP, National Conference, Congress, CPI(M), Peoples Conference, PDP and an Independent member. The meeting was aimed at ensuring that legislators receive adequate opportunities to raise constituency-specific and public-interest matters.

Mohammad Irfan

The appointment of 29 officers to the Jammu Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Service marks more than the beginning of new careers for a group of young professionals. It represents the entry of a new generation into an institution whose responsibilities extend from maintaining public order and protecting citizens to upholding the rule of law and strengthening public confidence in governance. At a ceremony in Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to the newly selected officers and described the documents as symbols of the trust placed by the people of Jammu Kashmir in those who have chosen a career in public service. The occasion brought together two important themes shaping Jammu Kashmir’s administrative and security landscape: merit-based opportunities for its young population and the continuing professionalisation of its policing institutions. For the newly appointed officers, the appointment letters mark the culmination of a demanding selection process conducted by the Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). For the administration, the occasion represents another step towards creating a professional cadre of officers equipped to respond to the changing requirements of policing and public service. The Lieutenant Governor’s message to the officers was therefore centred not only on their achievement but on the responsibilities that accompany it.

A Career Built On Merit: The selection of officers through a transparent competitive process is an important element of modern public administration. The Lieutenant Governor congratulated the newly appointed officers on successfully completing an intense selection process and praised the JKPSC for maintaining fairness, impartiality and credibility. He described the recruitment process as part of a broader transformation in employment opportunities since 2019, particularly for young people from ordinary families. The significance of merit-based recruitment extends beyond the individuals who receive appointment letters. When public employment is determined through transparent competitive examinations, it creates an opportunity for young people from different social and economic backgrounds to compete on the basis of their education, preparation and ability. The Lieutenant Governor referred to examples of candidates from families of vegetable vendors and labourers securing government positions through talent and hard work. Such examples carry a wider message for young people across Jammu Kashmir: professional achievement can be built through education, perseverance and competitive excellence. The JKPS cadre, in this context, becomes not only a professional service but also an avenue through which the region’s educated youth can contribute directly to public institutions. The appointment of the 29 officers thus carries significance both for policing and for the wider culture of public service.

From Selection To Service: The appointment letter marks the beginning rather than the conclusion of the officers’ journey.Before assuming their full responsibilities, the newly appointed officers will undergo mandatory police training designed to prepare them for the operational, administrative and ethical dimensions of their profession. Police training is particularly important because modern policing requires much more than physical preparedness.Officers have to understand criminal law, investigation procedures, technology, cybercrime, intelligence gathering, community engagement, human rights, disaster response and crisis management. They also have to develop leadership qualities because gazetted officers frequently operate at the intersection of public administration, policing and community concerns. The transition from an examination hall to a police academy therefore represents a transition from academic preparation to professional responsibility. The Lieutenant Governor reminded the officers that the uniform would bring with it authority, but that authority would have to be exercised with integrity and compassion. This balance between authority and human sensitivity is central to the modern understanding of policing. A police officer is often the first representative of the state encountered by a citizen during moments of crisis, distress or uncertainty. The manner in which officers respond can therefore shape public perceptions of the entire institution.Professionalism, accessibility and fairness can strengthen confidence, while disciplined conduct can reinforce respect for the law. The new officers have consequently been entrusted with a role that combines enforcement with service.

Guardians Of Peace And Public Confidence: The Lieutenant Governor described the newly appointed officers as future guardians of peace, dignity and justice. The phrase reflects the broadening responsibilities of policing in a changing environment. Traditional policing responsibilities remain important, but the nature of security challenges has evolved considerably.Technology has changed crime, communication and financial systems. Criminal networks can increasingly operate across jurisdictions and use digital platforms to coordinate activities. The Lieutenant Governor specifically referred to challenges including terrorism, radicalisation, cryptocurrency-linked terror financing and money laundering. For a new generation of police officers, understanding these emerging forms of crime will be essential.The modern police officer increasingly needs technological awareness alongside traditional investigative skills.Cybercrime investigations, digital evidence, financial intelligence and online radicalisation require specialised knowledge and coordination with other agencies. This creates an opportunity for the Jammu Kashmir Police to further develop specialised expertise among its younger officers.The officers joining the service today will potentially spend decades working in an environment in which technology will continue to transform policing.Their training and professional development can therefore become a long-term investment in the future capabilities of the institution.

The Human Face Of Policing: While technology and security remain important, policing ultimately involves people.The Lieutenant Governor’s emphasis on compassion and sensitivity highlighted this dimension of police work. Citizens approach the police for a wide variety of reasons — from reporting crimes and seeking protection to resolving disputes, assisting vulnerable people and responding to emergencies. For many citizens, the police station is one of the most visible points of contact with government. This makes the conduct of police personnel particularly important. The Lieutenant Governor urged the officers to combine authority with compassion and ensure that human sensitivity remained part of their actions.His guiding principle — “Do not harass the innocent; do not spare the guilty” — places fairness at the heart of policing. The principle carries a simple but important message: effective law enforcement must protect innocent citizens while ensuring that those responsible for offences are dealt with according to law.For the new officers, this approach can provide an ethical framework for exercising the considerable authority attached to the uniform.

The Uniform,  Its Responsibility: The khaki uniform has a powerful institutional identity in India.It represents authority, discipline and responsibility, but it also represents public expectations. The Lieutenant Governor told the newly appointed officers that the respect commanded by the uniform would depend on their honesty, courage and conduct. This places individual behaviour at the centre of institutional credibility. An officer’s professional conduct can influence how citizens view the police force as a whole. For young officers beginning their careers, this makes integrity a professional asset as much as a personal value. The ability to make decisions under pressure while remaining committed to law and procedure is one of the defining requirements of police leadership. The Lieutenant Governor urged the officers to maintain honesty, courage and humility even in difficult circumstances.These qualities are particularly relevant for officers who will eventually be responsible for teams, investigations and public order responsibilities.

“Digital platforms, online complaint systems, CCTV networks, forensic technologies and data-based policing are changing the way police agencies interact with citizens and investigate offences.Young officers with familiarity with technology can play an important role in accelerating this transition….”

Leadership Through Service: The new JKPS officers are also joining the service at a time when public expectations from government institutions are evolving.Citizens increasingly expect government services to be accessible, responsive and technology-enabled.

Police Organisations Are Part Of This Transformation: Digital platforms, online complaint systems, CCTV networks, forensic technologies and data-based policing are changing the way police agencies interact with citizens and investigate offences.Young officers with familiarity with technology can play an important role in accelerating this transition. At the same time, technological advancement has to remain connected to the fundamental principles of policing: legality, fairness, accountability and public service. The new generation of officers can therefore contribute to a model of policing that combines technological capability with human understanding. Their role will extend beyond conventional law-and-order functions to include community engagement, crime prevention and public awareness.

Building On The Legacy Of Jammu Kashmir Police: The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the sacrifice, devotion and courage of senior officers and personnel who have served Jammu Kashmir over the decades.The newly appointed officers are joining an institution with a long and demanding operational history. For them, that history represents both a legacy and a responsibility.The Jammu Kashmir Police has worked across a diverse geographical and social environment, from urban centres to remote rural areas and difficult terrain. Its personnel have responsibilities ranging from routine policing and traffic management to investigation, emergency response and security duties. The new officers will inherit this institutional experience while bringing their own education, technological awareness and professional perspectives. The combination of institutional experience and new talent can strengthen the organisation’s ability to adapt to future challenges. Young officers, in particular, can become an important bridge between established policing practices and emerging technologies. Their generation has grown up in an environment shaped by smartphones, digital communication, social media and rapidly evolving technology. These experiences can become valuable professional skills when appropriately integrated into policing.

The Wider Opportunity For Youth: The appointment ceremony also carries significance beyond the police organisation. It sends a broader message about the role of Jammu Kashmir’s young people in public institutions. The region has a large and increasingly educated youth population. Competitive government examinations offer one avenue through which young professionals can enter public service and contribute to administration. The success of candidates from ordinary families can encourage others to pursue education and competitive examinations. The story of merit-based selection is therefore also a story of aspiration. A young person preparing for a competitive examination is investing time, education and personal effort in the possibility of serving society. When that effort results in selection, it demonstrates the value of perseverance and professional preparation. The 29 newly appointed JKPS officers now become examples of that journey. Their careers will potentially take them through different districts, police units and specialised assignments, giving them opportunities to work closely with communities across Jammu Kashmir.

Public Service As A Lifelong Commitment: The Lieutenant Governor’s remarks repeatedly placed service above personal achievement.

That Distinction Is Important: A government appointment provides professional stability and responsibility, but a career in public service carries a larger social purpose.For police officers, this purpose is particularly visible because their decisions can directly affect citizens’ safety and security. The appointment letters therefore represent what the Lieutenant Governor described as the hopes, dreams and faith of the people. This idea can shape the professional culture of the new officers. Their success will not be measured only by promotions or administrative achievements. It will also be reflected in how effectively they protect citizens, prevent crime, assist victims, maintain public order and uphold the law. A police officer’s greatest professional achievement can ultimately be the confidence that citizens place in the institution. Preparing for tomorrow’s security environment The security environment facing police organisations is becoming increasingly complex. Terrorism remains a major security concern, while technological developments have created new forms of financial crime, cybercrime and online radicalisation. The use of crypto currency and sophisticated financial channels in illegal activities requires police officers to develop expertise beyond traditional investigation methods. The newly appointed officers will enter the service at an important point in this transformation. Their training can prepare them to combine conventional policing skills with cyber capabilities, financial investigation, intelligence analysis and modern forensic methods. Continuous professional education will be important throughout their careers. The advantage of a new generation of officers is that they can develop specialised expertise from the beginning of their service. Some may eventually contribute to cybercrime investigation, others to intelligence, forensic science, community policing, counter-terror operations, traffic management or administrative leadership. Together, this diversity of expertise can strengthen the overall policing system.

A Culture Of Integrity: At the heart of the Lieutenant Governor’s message was a simple expectation: integrity must remain non-negotiable. Police officers exercise significant authority, and the legitimacy of that authority ultimately comes from the law and public trust. Integrity ensures that authority is exercised responsibly. The call to choose duty even when circumstances become difficult is therefore particularly relevant to young officers. Their careers will inevitably bring challenging situations requiring judgment, patience and courage. Maintaining professional ethics during such moments can define the quality of their leadership. The emphasis on humility is equally important. Leadership in policing involves command, but it also involves listening. An officer who understands the concerns of citizens, colleagues and subordinate personnel can build stronger teams and more effective relationships with communities.

Kashmir Horizon View: The 29 officers receiving their appointment letters represent the beginning of a new chapter in their professional lives and another generation of leadership for the Jammu Kashmir Police.Their induction combines merit, education, training and public responsibility. As they progress through their careers, they will encounter a Jammu Kashmir that continues to evolve economically, socially and technologically. Their policing responsibilities will evolve alongside it. The future police organisation will increasingly depend on technology, specialised knowledge, community participation and professional leadership. But the fundamental principles will remain constant: protect citizens, uphold the law, respect human dignity and act with integrity. The appointment ceremony at Srinagar brought these principles together. The appointment letters symbolised opportunity, but they also represented responsibility. For the officers, the next stage is training, followed by years of public service. For Jammu Kashmir, their induction represents an investment in a new generation of professional police leadership. Their journey begins with the khaki uniform, but the Lieutenant Governor’s message made clear that the true strength of that uniform will come from what the officers bring to it — honesty, courage, compassion, discipline and an unwavering commitment to duty. As these young officers move into their professional lives, they carry with them not only the authority of the Jammu Kashmir Police but also the expectations of the people they will serve. Their appointment is therefore more than a career milestone. It is an invitation to contribute to peace, security, justice and public confidence and to become part of the continuing institutional journey of Jammu Kashmir’s police service. The ceremony has placed the spotlight on 29 individuals. Their careers, however, have the potential to influence something much larger: the future culture of policing in Jammu Kashmir.

(“Team Kashmir Horizon” is committed to continuous improvement and invites feedback and suggestions from readers and its followers on social media sites. Reader insights are considered vital for enhancing content quality and empowering the community. The team encourages open communication and values the thoughts and ideas of its audience, believing that such input will enable them to serve the public more effectively. The initiative aims to ensure that readers have the best possible experience with “Kashmir Horizon”. Interested individuals can reach out to us via email at editor@thekashmirhorizon.com.)

Srinagar| Sept, 12: This week Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address at the IIT (BHU) Global Alumni Meet in Chicago placed India’s technological ambitions within a much broader civilisational narrative, linking the legacy of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya with the country’s emerging role in artificial intelligence, innovation and global leadership. Addressing alumni of one of India’s most prominent technical institutions in the United States, Sinha argued that the next phase of India’s development will depend not merely on technological capability but on the ability to combine innovation with human values, institutional strength and global cooperation. His remarks also sought to position the Indian diaspora as an important partner in the country’s continuing economic and technological transformation. The Lieutenant Governor began by paying tribute to Malaviya, whose vision helped lay the foundation for modern technical education and industrial development in India. For Sinha, Malaviya’s legacy remains relevant at a time when India is once again attempting to expand its technological capabilities and create institutions capable of competing at the global level. Malaviya’s contribution, he said, was never confined to establishing an educational institution. His larger vision was to use education, science and technology as instruments of national reconstruction. That approach, Sinha suggested, carries particular significance today as India seeks to build an economy driven by knowledge, innovation and advanced technologies.
From Malaviya’s Vision To The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: The transition from Malaviya’s era of institution-building to the present age of artificial intelligence formed one of the central themes of Sinha’s address.AI, he said, has the potential to become a major driver of economic growth by bringing together human potential and machine intelligence. The significance of AI therefore extends beyond the technology sector. It has implications for manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, financial services, scientific research and almost every part of the modern economy. Yet Sinha placed an important qualification alongside this optimism: technological progress cannot be allowed to become detached from human responsibility.His emphasis on Responsible AI reflected a growing global debate over the implications of increasingly powerful technologies. Artificial intelligence can improve productivity and expand access to knowledge, but its impact will ultimately depend on how societies govern its use. Sinha stressed that AI must remain anchored in ethics, core values and strict human oversight. Technology, he said, must be proactively guided by humanity so that it serves the collective well-being of people. That argument provides an important counterpoint to the idea that technological advancement is an end in itself. For India, the challenge is not simply to become a major AI power but to develop technologies in ways that remain accountable to society. The message also carries particular relevance for India because of the scale and diversity of its population. A technology that is designed around inclusion, accessibility and public welfare could have consequences far beyond economic growth, potentially transforming the delivery of public services and creating new opportunities for communities that have historically remained outside advanced technology ecosystems.
A New India Confident At Home, Engaged With The World: Lt Governor Sinha’s larger political and economic argument was that India is entering a new phase in its history—one in which the country is increasingly confident about its place in the world.He described a new India as stronger at home, confident abroad and prepared to contribute to shaping what he called the new future of humanity. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is building its own place in the world and preparing to lead it,” Sinha said, Declaring therein “This is India’s moment. This is India’s century.” For Sinha, this confidence is rooted in the convergence of several trends: technological advancement, economic expansion, institutional development and social welfare. He described the current phase as the rise of a civilisational power that is “confident, compassionate, innovative and unstoppable.” The formulation is significant because it presents India’s rise not simply as an economic story but as a broader national resurgence. The argument is that technological leadership, economic development and social welfare should advance together rather than in isolation. India’s challenge in the coming decades will therefore be to convert its large population, expanding technology ecosystem and growing global influence into sustainable institutional and economic strength.
Jammu Kashmir | A Story Of Transformation: Against this wider national backdrop, the Lieutenant Governor brought Jammu Kashmir into the narrative of India’s transformation. LG Sinha described the changes in Jammu Kashmir over the last six years as historic, arguing that the region has moved towards greater development, investment and opportunity. “Prime Minister has transformed the destiny of Jammu Kashmir with the abrogation of Article 370,” he said, adding that the region’s transformation represented “not just progress but a renaissance.”He characterised the change in contrasting terms—“from shadows of fear to the light of opportunity, from isolation to integration, and from despair to destiny.” The language reflects the administration’s broader effort to frame Jammu Kashmir’s recent trajectory through development and opportunity rather than conflict and instability. For a region that has historically been viewed internationally primarily through the prism of political conflict, the attempt to project a different narrative has significant implications. Development, investment, tourism, entrepreneurship, education and technology increasingly form part of the administration’s effort to redefine Jammu Kashmir’s public image. LG Sinha argued that this transformation has opened new avenues for development, investment and opportunity. The more difficult task now is to convert that opportunity into durable economic activity, employment and institutional capacity.In that context, technology and education could become particularly important.
The Diaspora As A Strategic Partner: The setting of Sinha’s address—Chicago—also gave his message a significant dimension.The Indian diaspora in the United States represents one of the country’s most important global networks of professional expertise, entrepreneurship, capital and institutional relationships. IIT alumni, in particular, occupy influential positions across technology, academia, business and research. Sinha urged IIT (BHU) Global Alumni to participate actively in India’s ongoing civilisational and economic resurgence.His appeal was not limited to financial investment. Instead, he outlined a four-point roadmap that placed knowledge, mentorship and institutional partnerships alongside capital. The first element was investment in India’s next-generation institutions through mentorship and capital. The second was building strategic partnerships between American and Indian institutions. The third involved sharing what Sinha described as an accurate narrative of India’s transformation. The fourth was reconnecting with roots by bringing back experience and knowledge gained abroad.Together, these priorities suggest a model of diaspora engagement that goes beyond conventional investment. Capital can help establish companies and infrastructure, but knowledge networks can help institutions develop expertise, research collaborations and international connections. Mentorship can help young entrepreneurs navigate global markets, while academic partnerships can strengthen research and innovation.For India’s technological ambitions, such connections could prove increasingly valuable.
Chicago, Vivekananda And The Global Indian Identity: Lt Governor Sinha also invoked another historic connection with Chicago by recalling Swami Vivekananda’s landmark address on September 11, 1893.The reference served to connect the contemporary Indian diaspora with a much longer history of India engaging with the world from American soil. More than a century after Vivekananda’s appearance in Chicago, the Indian presence in the United States has expanded dramatically across technology, medicine, academia, business, research and public life.Sinha’s message effectively positioned the diaspora as a bridge between India’s domestic transformation and its global aspirations.The four-point roadmap therefore becomes more than a call for investment. It is an invitation to build an institutional bridge between two knowledge ecosystems. India needs access to global expertise and markets. The diaspora, meanwhile, can contribute through professional networks, technology transfer, investment and mentorship while maintaining a connection with institutions and communities in India.
From Brain Drain To Knowledge Circulation: One of the most important implications of Sinha’s appeal is the changing understanding of the Indian diaspora. For decades, migration of highly educated Indians to Western countries was often discussed primarily through the lens of “brain drain.” Today, the relationship is increasingly being understood as one of knowledge circulation. Indian professionals abroad can contribute to institutions in India without necessarily relocating permanently. They can mentor students remotely, establish research partnerships, support start-ups, invest in companies and help Indian institutions access global networks. For a country seeking to become a technology leader, this distributed model of expertise can be particularly powerful. The IIT (BHU) alumni network provides an obvious platform for such engagement because its members are already connected through a shared educational heritage and professional experience.
The Larger Test| Turning Ambition Into Institutions: The most consequential part of Sinha’s message may ultimately be the challenge of implementation. India’s emergence as a technological power will not be determined by declarations alone. It will depend on universities capable of producing high-quality research, companies capable of commercialising innovation, institutions capable of regulating emerging technologies and a workforce equipped for rapidly changing industries. The same principle applies to Jammu Kashmir. If the region is to fully benefit from the transformation outlined by Sinha, investment will need to translate into jobs, stronger educational institutions, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and opportunities for young people. The emphasis on AI and responsible technology also suggests that Jammu Kashmir’s future development cannot be separated from the wider technological transformation taking place across India. The opportunity is to ensure that the region is not merely a consumer of new technologies but becomes a participant in their creation and application.
A Vision That Connects Past And Future: Lt Governor Sinha’s Chicago address ultimately brought together three different strands of India’s national journey: Malaviya’s institution-building vision, Vivekananda’s global engagement and the present push towards technological leadership. Malaviya represented the belief that education and technology could help build a stronger India. Vivekananda represented an India confident enough to introduce its civilisational voice to the world. The present moment, in Sinha’s formulation, is about combining those traditions with innovation, AI and global partnerships. The message to IIT (BHU) alumni was therefore straightforward but expansive: India’s next phase cannot be built by government alone. Universities, industry, innovators, professionals and the global Indian community all have a role. And the larger opportunity is not simply to make India a larger economy or a bigger technology market. It is to build institutions and technologies that combine ambition with responsibility and global influence with social purpose. For Jammu Kashmir, the challenge and opportunity are equally significant. If the region’s transformation is to become sustainable, the next chapter will have to be measured not only through infrastructure and investment but through the creation of knowledge, skills, enterprises and opportunities. From Malaviya’s vision of modern education to the possibilities opened by artificial intelligence, the central idea remains remarkably consistent: knowledge becomes meaningful when it is converted into national capability and social progress. In Chicago, Sinha presented that idea as part of a larger Indian moment—one in which technological confidence, global engagement and civilisational self-belief are increasingly being brought together. The ambition now is to turn that confidence into enduring institutions, partnerships and opportunities, ensuring that India’s technological rise remains firmly anchored in the human values that give progress its purpose.

Mohammad Irfan

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a new and more ambitious agenda for BRICS as the grouping marks its 20th anniversary, arguing that its growing economic and political weight must now translate into greater influence over global decision-making, stronger institutional continuity and a larger role for the Global South in shaping international rules.Addressing BRICS leaders and representatives, Modi said the grouping had reached a “coming of age” moment and needed to move beyond consensus-building within the bloc towards concrete outcomes on the global stage. He proposed a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism to ensure that initiatives agreed upon during successive presidencies do not lose momentum when the chairship changes hands. His proposals also included a BRICS Reform Roadmap on global governance, with ten proposals to be developed around three broad principles—representation, responsiveness and rule-making.The speech placed institutional reform at the centre of India’s BRICS agenda, reflecting New Delhi’s broader effort to position the grouping not merely as an economic coalition but as an important platform through which developing countries can seek a greater voice in international institutions.

From Economic Grouping To Wider Global Platform: BRICS began two decades ago as a grouping centred largely on the economic significance of emerging economies. Over time, however, its agenda has expanded into development, finance, technology, health, climate change, food and energy security, multilateral reform and other areas of international cooperation. Prime Minister Modi’s assessment that BRICS has reached a “coming of age” moment therefore carries significance beyond the symbolism of its 20th anniversary. The grouping today operates in a substantially different international environment from the one in which it was created. Global economic power has become more dispersed, developing economies have acquired greater weight in international trade and investment, while geopolitical tensions have complicated cooperation through traditional multilateral institutions. India’s approach under its chairship has attempted to connect BRICS cooperation with practical issues affecting ordinary citizens. PM Modi said more than 350 meetings had been organised during India’s chairship, with participating teams welcomed in nearly 30 cities across the country. He described the approach as “people-centric” and “humanity-first”, with resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability identified as key priorities. The emphasis on the people-centric character of BRICS is important because the credibility of multilateral institutions increasingly depends on whether their decisions produce visible benefits beyond diplomatic conferences. For developing countries, the test is particularly acute. Issues such as food security, access to finance, energy affordability, climate vulnerability, digital inclusion and public health directly affect millions of people, while many of the international institutions dealing with these issues continue to operate through structures established decades ago. Prime Minister Modi’s speech attempted to bridge that gap by arguing that BRICS should become more effective internally while simultaneously advocating structural reform externally.

Continuity Mechanism Proposed To Prevent Loss Of Momentum: One of the most concrete proposals in Modi’s address was the establishment of a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism. The annual rotation of the BRICS chairship provides each member with an opportunity to place its priorities on the organisation’s agenda. But rotating leadership can also create a structural challenge: initiatives launched under one presidency may lose momentum once another country assumes the chair. Prime Minister Modi proposed addressing this through the BRICS Troika, with a mechanism that would systematically follow up on decisions and initiatives. He suggested creating a secure digital repository where every decision could be linked to a nodal point, a timeline and its implementation status. On paper, this is a relatively administrative proposal. Politically, however, it addresses one of the central challenges facing multilateral groupings—the gap between declarations and delivery. International summits routinely produce lengthy communiques, commitments and initiatives. The more difficult question is what happens after leaders return home. A digital system tracking responsibilities and deadlines could create greater institutional memory within BRICS. It could also allow future presidencies to inherit an established implementation framework rather than beginning with a fresh set of priorities. The proposal reflects India’s attempt to move BRICS towards a more institutionalised model without necessarily creating a heavily centralised bureaucracy. For a grouping that has expanded in membership and broadened its agenda, such institutional continuity could become increasingly important.

The ‘Pyramid Of Privilege’ And Global South: The most politically significant section of Modi’s speech focused on global governance. Describing the existing international system as resembling a “pyramid”, he argued that decision-making power remains concentrated at the top while countries at the bottom are often affected by decisions in which they have limited participation. His formulation that the Global South is “in the front row of global crises, but in the back row of decision-making” captures one of the principal arguments behind India’s advocacy for reform of global institutions. The Global South is disproportionately exposed to several transnational challenges, including climate change, food and energy insecurity, debt pressures, conflicts and economic disruptions.Yet many developing countries argue that the institutions responsible for making or influencing global decisions do not adequately reflect the distribution of economic and demographic power in the contemporary world.Modi proposed replacing what he termed a “pyramid of privilege” with a “platform of partnership”.

The Distinction Is Central To India’s Diplomatic Positioning:  New Delhi has consistently argued for a more representative multilateral order while avoiding the framing that reform should be directed against existing powers. In his speech, Modi again stressed that BRICS should not be “against anyone” but should seek to take everyone along. This positioning could become particularly important as BRICS seeks to expand its influence without being defined exclusively through rivalry with established Western institutions.UN Security Council Reform At CentreModi’s call for reform of the United Nations Security Council was among the clearest elements of the proposed global governance agenda. He said reform could no longer be delayed and argued that text-based negotiations should be connected to a clearly defined timeline and concrete outcomes. The demand for Security Council reform is not new. India has for years sought permanent membership of the Council, arguing that the existing structure does not adequately reflect contemporary geopolitical and economic realities. The composition of the Security Council reflects the world that emerged after the Second World War. The five permanent members—the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom—retain veto powers, while the wider UN membership has expanded substantially since the organisation was founded. For countries such as India, the issue is therefore one of representation as much as status. PM Modi linked Security Council reform with broader changes in international financial institutions. He argued that voting power, leadership positions and policy priorities should better reflect today’s economic realities.The underlying argument is that global economic governance cannot remain disconnected from the countries responsible for a growing share of global economic activity.This issue could become one of BRICS’ most consequential areas of collective diplomacy, although translating broad support into agreement on the precise structure of reform remains difficult.

“India does not need to build every component from scratch.It can learn, adapt and develop systems suited to its own conditions. This becomes particularly important for sports in which India is only beginning to establish a competitive presence.…..”

The Responsiveness As A Measure Of Multilateralism: Modi’s second proposed pillar—responsiveness—shifted the discussion from who controls international institutions to how effectively those institutions respond to crises. He argued that global institutions will retain public trust only if they can deliver effective solutions at speed and scale, particularly at the last mile. The focus on implementation is particularly relevant for developing countries, where international commitments often encounter capacity constraints before reaching communities. As crises increasingly cross borders, the demand for faster international responses has also grown. Climate-related disasters, pandemics, conflicts, disruptions to maritime trade and humanitarian emergencies rarely remain confined to one jurisdiction. Yet international responses can be slowed by bureaucratic procedures, fragmented responsibilities and political disagreements.

PM Modi’s proposal for a Seafarers Emergency Support Network: Seafarers are central to international trade but can face serious difficulties when ships encounter emergencies, medical crises or other disruptions. Modi suggested a network linking maritime authorities and diplomatic missions to facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and evacuation support. The proposal is narrower than Security Council reform, but its importance lies in its practical character. It demonstrates the kind of cooperation Modi wants BRICS to pursue—less focused solely on declarations and more focused on mechanisms capable of solving specific problems. The challenge will be to determine whether such proposals can be converted into functioning institutions, with clear responsibilities, funding and operational protocols.

From Rule-Takers To Rule-Shapers : The third pillar of Modi’s proposed reform agenda—rule-making—looks towards the technologies that will define the next phase of global competition.Artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and critical technologies are rapidly creating new economic opportunities while simultaneously raising questions about security, privacy, ethics, intellectual property and international law.Many developing countries have historically had limited influence over the formulation of global standards governing emerging technologies. Prime Minister Modi argued that the Global South must move from being a collection of “rule-takers” to becoming “rule-shapers”.This is likely to become an increasingly important dimension of BRICS cooperation. The rules governing artificial intelligence, for example, will have consequences extending far beyond the countries currently leading the development of frontier technologies. Decisions on data, computing infrastructure, algorithmic accountability, cybersecurity and access to AI could affect development trajectories across the Global South. Similarly, emerging rules around outer space and biotechnology could determine who benefits from technological progress and who remains dependent on technologies developed elsewhere. India’s proposal to provide young diplomats and policymakers from developing countries with negotiation skills, practical training and legal expertise therefore points towards a longer-term strategy. Rather than simply demanding a seat at existing negotiating tables, BRICS could attempt to build the institutional capacity required to influence negotiations.

South-South Cooperation Gets Renewed Emphasis: Prime Minister Modi’s reference to the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation added another layer to the speech.South-South cooperation has traditionally focused on technical assistance, development partnerships, capacity-building and the exchange of knowledge among developing countries. India has sought to expand this concept into areas such as digital public infrastructure, development financing, disaster resilience, healthcare, renewable energy and technology. The BRICS platform provides an additional avenue for such cooperation because its members possess substantial economic, demographic and technological capabilities. The question now is whether those capabilities can be pooled effectively. BRICS members have different economic structures, foreign-policy priorities and geopolitical interests. Their approaches to international security, trade and strategic competition can also diverge. Consequently, consensus within BRICS does not necessarily mean uniformity. Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on consensus and partnership acknowledges this reality while arguing that differences should not prevent cooperation where interests converge.

Kashmir Horizon View: The growing relevance of BRICS also brings a new challenge: scale.As the grouping expands, its collective economic and political weight increases, but reaching consensus can become more complicated.A larger grouping contains more interests, more regional dynamics and more foreign-policy priorities. This makes the institutional proposals in Modi’s speech particularly significant.A BRICS with a broader membership and wider agenda will need systems capable of managing continuity, implementation and disagreement.Without such systems, expansion could risk making the grouping more declaratory than operational. With effective mechanisms, however, a larger BRICS could potentially become a stronger negotiating platform for developing countries. The success of India’s proposals will therefore depend less on the language adopted at the summit and more on what happens after it. The central message of Modi’s speech can be reduced to a simple proposition: BRICS has reached a point where its influence must be measured by outcomes rather than declarations. The proposed Continuity and Implementation Mechanism addresses the internal functioning of the grouping. The proposed Reform Roadmap addresses its external ambition. Together, they represent an attempt to give BRICS both institutional memory and a longer-term strategic direction.But translating the vision into reality will require political agreement among members.The proposed ten-point global governance agenda will have to reconcile different national priorities. Security Council reform requires negotiations involving countries beyond BRICS. Financial institutional reform involves entrenched interests. Technology rule-making will require engagement with both developed and developing economies. The same complexity applies to practical initiatives such as the proposed Seafarers Emergency Support Network.Yet the significance of the speech lies precisely in its attempt to connect these seemingly different questions. For India, the argument is that a changing world requires institutions capable of reflecting that change.BRICS at 20 is therefore being presented not simply as a celebration of two decades of cooperation but as an opportunity to redefine what the grouping should become over the next two decades. The proposed transition—from “voice to impact” and from “privilege to partnership”—captures that ambition.Whether BRICS can make that transition will depend on its ability to convert political consensus into institutional continuity, practical cooperation and measurable outcomes. The next twenty years could determine whether BRICS becomes primarily a forum that articulates the concerns of emerging economies or a platform capable of materially influencing the rules by which the international system operates. PM Modi’s speech makes clear where India believes the choice should lie: a future in which the countries most affected by global decisions are also given a meaningful role in shaping them.

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