Abstract
This paper analyses the contemporary disrupted global order of 2026, marked by geopolitical fragmentation, ideological contestation, weaponised economies, technological disruption, and the erosion of post–Second World War institutions. It argues that volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) now define international politics—rendering alliances transactional and global governance ineffective. For India, this disruption presents both strategic risk and opportunity. The paper advocates strategic autonomy, indigenous national security capabilities, civil–military fusion, economic and technological self-reliance, and ethical, agile leadership. Emphasising whole-of-government integration and public trust, it contends that adaptability, and not prediction, is central to safeguarding India’s sovereignty and shaping a stable future order.
Keywords: Disrupted World, Fragmentation, Strategic Opportunity, VUCA, Leadership
