India Aims for Power Without Dominance, Says Vice President CP Radhakrishnan

New Delhi, October 12 (Daily Kiran) : Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed participants of the 66th course at the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi on October 12, 2026. He spoke on the topic of “Core Values of India, National Interests, and National Objectives.”

During his speech, Radhakrishnan highlighted the importance of strategic thinking, integrated policy-making, and international cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges. He addressed 122 participants, including officials from the Indian armed forces, civil services, police, and 41 foreign officials.

Radhakrishnan emphasized that the core values of a nation form the foundation of its identity. He noted that India has always believed in the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family.” He cited India’s proactive role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vaccines to other countries and assisting during disasters, as an example of this belief.

The Vice President stated that India’s national interests are inspired by constitutional values such as sovereignty, democracy, secularism, justice, freedom, equality, fraternity, and the unity and integrity of the nation. He outlined five broad priorities: protecting India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaining its democratic and secular framework, advancing its strategic, political, economic, and military objectives, ensuring a stable and secure environment for development and human growth, and contributing to international peace and stability.

Radhakrishnan called for increased international cooperation to combat challenges like terrorism, cyber threats, pandemics, climate change, and transnational crime, noting that protecting national interests and promoting shared global interests often require coordinated action, information sharing, and mutual trust among nations.

He identified the goal of a developed India by 2047 as a significant national objective and stressed the need to align resources, robust policy options, and national priorities with a long-term vision.

The Vice President underscored that India’s national security encompasses protecting its land, airspace, maritime interests, and cyberspace while creating conditions for sustainable development and prosperity. He reiterated that India aims to be the most powerful nation in the world, not to dominate others but to ensure that no country imposes unethical conditions on it. Respect for each nation’s sovereignty and dignity is essential, he added, urging nations to avoid infringing on each other’s territorial boundaries.

Radhakrishnan called for a strong engagement with the Global South, emphasizing principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared development priorities. He urged countries to look beyond challenges and strengthen cooperation in technology, trade, connectivity, education, innovation, and capacity building, highlighting that corruption remains a significant challenge for the Global South, necessitating collective efforts to eradicate it.

He encouraged participants, as future strategic leaders, to adopt an integrated and visionary approach beyond institutional and professional boundaries. Radhakrishnan urged them to understand the values that define their nations, identify interests that need protection, set clear goals, prioritize wisely, and develop strategies to translate national resolutions into tangible outcomes.