New Delhi: Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper, in his keynote address at the NXT Forum 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, spoke extensively about India’s pivotal role in the evolving global order. He acknowledged that while the world is undergoing significant transformations, India is uniquely positioned to navigate these changes successfully.
Harper noted that India would have preferred a reformation of global rules and institutions to reflect its rising status, but these frameworks are losing relevance instead of evolving. Despite this, India does not need excessive hedging strategies, as it is emerging as a global power based on its size and strategic appeal.
Highlighting India’s demographic and economic strength, he pointed out that India is set to become the world’s most populous nation and has secured its place among the top five economies, growing faster than any major country. Combined with its vast landmass and cultural influence, India is on track to become a leading global force.
However, Harper acknowledged India’s challenges, including agricultural inefficiencies, a military that lags behind its economic strength, and geopolitical pressures from China and elements within the Islamic world.
Despite these obstacles, he emphasized India’s strategic advantages—it is seen as a desirable global partner rather than a threat. He also underlined that India’s democratic values align with the EU and the U.S., making it a key player in countering long-term challenges posed by China.
Harper highlighted India’s unique position as a post-colonial nation, enabling it to build strong partnerships across the Global South, including the Gulf, Africa, and Brazil. As the world shifts into a multipolar order, India remains one of the few nations capable of expanding its global influence while sustaining growth and prosperity.
However, he warned that the emerging world order mirrors the rivalries of the pre-World War I era, a troubling prospect given modern military advancements and AI technologies. He cautioned that such rivalries could lead to even greater instability.
Harper urged India to balance power politics with its commitment to democratic values, playing a constructive global role rather than being drawn solely into spheres of influence. He emphasized that challenges like economic growth, climate change, health crises, and global security require international cooperation, which cannot thrive in a world dominated by authoritarian power struggles.
India, as a free and democratic nation, is well-positioned to be the voice of the Global South while maintaining democratic leadership. He criticized the West for its recent failures in leadership, oscillating between self-doubt and moral superiority, creating a global leadership vacuum that India is well-placed to fill.
Harper viewed the rise of strongman politics, exemplified by Trump, as a necessary but temporary correction and emphasized that the world still needs a strong yet idealistic America.
Meanwhile, he highlighted India’s strong leadership and forward-looking vision, praising its rapid modernization and expanding global partnerships. He commended India’s G20 presidency for representing not just its own interests but also those of Latin America, Africa, and other developing nations.
Harper reaffirmed India’s potential as a leading democratic power, distinct from the West, capable of shaping an Asian Century based on cooperation rather than coercion. He stressed that India’s significance lies beyond its economic and military rise, as it also serves as a beacon of democracy, deeply rooted in its unique history and culture.
Finally, he lauded India’s openness to dialogue and intellectual exchange, noting that this spirit fosters global discussions like the NXT Forum, reinforcing India’s role in shaping the future