In a world increasingly defined by volatility, a new American approach to security is drawing scrutiny for its reliance on optimistic assumptions rather than hard-nosed realism. For India, a nation sitting at the crossroads of multiple geopolitical and environmental challenges, such a strategy offers no refuge. The critique, articulated by expert Gurucharan Gollerkeri, underscores a vital lesson: in the face of climate crises, turbulent commerce, and persistent conflict, magical thinking is a luxury India cannot afford.
The Illusion of Wishful Security
Gollerkeri's analysis, published on December 20, 2025, dissects the United States' emerging security framework. He characterizes it as resembling a spell cast in the hope that global disorder will simply fade away. This doctrine appears to be built on the expectation that complex threats will resolve themselves politely, without demanding difficult, concrete actions or strategic shifts. For any nation, this is a precarious foundation, but for India, the risks are magnified exponentially.
The country is uniquely buffeted by a triad of formidable pressures. From the frontlines of climate change impacting its vast coastline and agricultural heartland, to the unpredictable waves of global trade and commerce, and not least, the ever-present specter of regional conflict and terrorism. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are daily realities shaping policy in New Delhi.
India's Tangible Threats Demand Pragmatism
Where abstract doctrine meets ground reality, the disconnect becomes stark. India's security calculus must account for verifiable and immediate dangers. Climate-induced events like extreme monsoons and droughts threaten food security and displace millions, creating internal instability. Commercial tensions and supply chain disruptions can cripple economic ambitions overnight. Meanwhile, conflicts on its borders and cross-border terrorism require constant military and diplomatic vigilance.
Gollerkeri's argument implies that adopting a strategy based on hopeful thinking would be a profound misstep for Indian policymakers. The nation's security architecture needs to be rooted in pragmatic assessment, robust defense capabilities, and agile foreign policy. It must anticipate chaos rather than hope for its absence.
The Path Forward: From Hope to Strategy
The conclusion for India is clear. While observing global powers, it must craft its own destiny. This involves doubling down on intelligence-led preparedness, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, securing its economic interests through diversified partnerships, and maintaining a credible deterrent force. The era of assuming that challenges will politely disappear is over.
The lesson from the critique of America's approach is not about bilateral relations, but about strategic philosophy. For India, security in the 21st century will be won not by incantations, but by innovation, investment, and indefatigable realism. The date, December 20, 2025, may mark just another opinion piece, but the warning it carries for Indian strategic circles is timeless and urgent.
