Why India must grow confidently, but silently

India’s 6.5% growth defies global economic trends

India is, today, a rare economic outlier in a slowing world.

While major economies are grappling with stagnation, India continues to grow at a robust and consistent 6.5% (aspiring for a higher %), in a global landscape averaging below 2.5%.

For a country as large, diverse, and democratic as India, this growth story is not just unusual, it’s unsettling to many.

A rising power… Quietly

The unease isn’t new. When Japan grew rapidly post-World War II, the West responded with concern, not celebration.

When China rose silently, with the conscious strategy to bide its time, it was initially welcomed, until it started asserting dominance under Xi Jinping.

Now, India is in a similar moment of inflection. With the United States and China themselves facing economic and strategic uncertainty, India’s ascent triggers subconscious fears.

Not that India has done anything wrong, but just the fear of the unknown, at the very least. Simply the fact that it is inching its way up despite its size, diversity, and plethora of problems, without conforming to any one bloc’s script, the other economies fear India. Maybe the China example adds to the fears.

They may be ready to do anything, covertly or even overtly, to block India’s growth. Though individually, we may have nothing to fear them, when they have a collective fear, we should be cognizant of it and address it.

So what should India do?

Grow fast, but stay under the radar

India must adopt a strategy of silent strength.

Grow steadily, solve internal problems boldly, and support the world sincerely, but without chest-thumping or exaggerated global projection.

This is not about hiding in the shadows. India must remain visible where needed, but let its strength show through capability and consistency, not slogans or sabre-rattling”. It’s about strategic humility, which even Thiruvalluvar has emphasized (-Humility is a great virtue for everyone, and more so for the rich and powerful).[1]

When China grew quietly, it attracted investment. When it started flaunting its might, the world turned cautious and started talking about pulling out or at least ‘China +1’.

India, with no hegemonic intent, can learn from the Chinese mistake and grow as far and fast as it can without being seen as a threat by anyone, as far as possible.

The Modi doctrine: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

PM Narendra Modi’s consistent message, “The world is one family”, is not just ancient wisdom; it is a powerful geopolitical principle in a divided world.

India must live by this ethos:

• Help, don’t dominate.
• Build, don’t broadcast.
• Defend, don’t aggress.
• Grow, don’t gloat.

This is not a weakness. It is enlightened nationalism, one that aligns national growth with global goodwill.

The twin challenge: Need to project, avoiding gloating

Admittedly, this is not easy. India needs to attract foreign direct investment, lobby for a permanent UNSC seat, and showcase its technological and industrial prowess. But it must do all this without appearing arrogant or expansionist.

India should promote its successful military wares only in forums where warranted, but not make a song and dance about it in public.

Political parties in power (e.g., the BJP now) have to trumpet the success they have taken India to in order to stay in power. They should do it within the country, and only during elections. Projection has its place, but it should be focused on energizing citizens, not threatening the world

Talking continuously about being the 4th or moving towards the 3rd largest economy, and the largest growing large economy, should be minimized to the extent required.

Lessons from the world: Quiet climbers vs loud risers

History offers ample lessons.

Nations like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia quietly climbed the ladder from low-income to middle- and high-income status without provoking global anxiety. Their approach was rooted in quiet competence, diplomatic humility, and long-term focus.

Japan only drew backlash when its economic dominance began threatening Western industries.

South Korea let its economy do the talking and allowed its cultural exports to follow later.

Vietnam, once ravaged by war, quietly rebuilt and is now an investor magnet.

Indonesia grew steadily without drawing undue attention.

In contrast, countries like China and Russia, after a period of quiet consolidation, shifted to assertive posturing, projecting power, ideology, and global ambitions.

The result? Strategic distrust, encirclement, and economic pushback.

The lesson is clear: silent growth attracts investment and trust; loud growth triggers resistance from the major powers and isolation.

Managing global perceptions

India must not only manage its policies; it must manage how the world perceives those policies.

Key measures:

1. Discourage media chest-thumping: The government should advise Indian media houses to avoid aggressive nationalism in debates and coverage of India’s rise.
2. Avoid unnecessary global PR campaigns: India’s success should speak to its own people through results, not to the major political powers through slogans.
3. Respond decisively, not loudly: I’m not suggesting that India should turn the other cheek. When required, as in Operation Sindoor, India must act decisively, and even send teams to tell the world why we did what we did, not without bragging.
4. Focus on developmental diplomacy: Helping Global South countries with vaccines, digital infrastructure, and clean energy is a better calling card than loudmouths or dominance shows.

Why this matters: The Trump–Xi syndrome

Both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have expressed unease about India’s trajectory, not because India has threatened them, but because it is succeeding in its own, independent way.

Trump has historically admired strength, but dislikes competition.

Xi seeks to dominate Asia and sees India’s self-confidence as a long-term obstacle.

India should not antagonize either. Instead, it should outgrow their fears, not feed them.

Grow silently, solve boldly

India’s goal must not be to appear “sexy” to the world. The goal must be to reach a high-income level, even if it takes decades.

If we shoot for that, we will at the very least reach a sustainable middle-income status soon, a phenomenal achievement for the world’s most complex democracy.

India’s task:

• Grow at 6.5%+ (preferably higher) consistently
• Reduce poverty and improve education
• Ensure military and cyber readiness
• Increase export competitiveness
• Stay out of ideological wars

Do all this without being noisy, and the world will respect India not out of fear, but out of trust.

Final word: The power of calm ascent

The banyan does not race. It does not roar. It simply grows — huge, patient, and unshakable.

That is the metaphor India must embrace.

Let the world guess. Let the world watch. Let India quietly become what it is destined to be, not a power to fear, but a partner to respect. Not just till we grow big, but even after we’ve arrived.

Leadership doesn’t always require noise. India can lead by example, competence, and clarity, showing the world a new model of a large rising power, acting with humility.

In an age of volatility, silent strength is the new mantra for India’s success.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Reference:

[1] Kural – 125 – Thirukkural – Kural Page

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