India as a Geoeconomic Actor

As economic interdependence increasingly becomes a tool of state power, countries are seeking new ways to advance their strategic interests through trade, technology, investment, and critical resources. This brief examines India’s emergence as a geoeconomic actor and its growing role as a balancing power in a fragmented global economy. It analyses how India combines economic self-reliance with selective partnerships to strengthen its resilience while expanding its international influence. The brief highlights India’s geoeconomic strengths, including its technological capabilities, digital infrastructure, renewable energy ambitions, and demographic potential, while also examining key vulnerabilities such as energy dependence, reliance on Chinese supply chains, and challenges related to human capital. Written by Pratik Arte, CAS/UI India Fellow and Associate Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI).