As 2025 draws to a close, the global landscape feels both unsettled and quietly transformative. Power is shifting, alliances are recalibrating, and voices that once hovered at the margins are stepping decisively into the centre of global conversations. This December issue of India Empire captures that moment of transition — not as a collection of isolated headlines, but as a living narrative of India’s expanding diplomatic confidence and its deepening engagement with the world.

At the heart of this edition lies Africa. The African Union’s permanent inclusion in the G20 — a milestone shepherded during India’s presidency — was not merely procedural; it was philosophical. It signalled a recognition that global governance can no longer be credible without Africa’s unified voice. President Droupadi Murmu’s visits to Angola and Botswana, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sustained engagement with African leadership, reflect an India that approaches Africa not as a theatre of opportunity alone, but as a partner in shaping the future of the Global South.

That same ethos echoes across continents. Latin America, too, finds resonance in these pages. India’s engagements with Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay reflect a coordinated deepening of political dialogue, development cooperation, and people-centric partnerships across the region — a sweep that underscores New Delhi’s intent to build durable relationships across South America anchored in mutual growth, institutional linkages, and Global South solidarity. From India–Bolivia and India–Paraguay diplomatic milestones in Latin America to renewed strategic conversations with Australia, Canada, Russia, and the United States, India’s diplomacy today is marked by breadth, intent, and continuity. New consulates, joint mechanisms, trade negotiations, and people-to-people initiatives underscore a simple truth: foreign policy is no longer confined to chancelleries — it lives in classrooms, ports, boardrooms, research labs, and diaspora communities.

This issue also reflects the realities of a world under strain. The tragic blast near Delhi’s Red Fort and the global outpouring of condolences remind us that diplomacy is inseparable from shared humanity. Terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime remain persistent threats, and India’s unwavering stand against them continues to find resonance among partners who value stability, democracy, and the rule of law.

Economics and technology form another strong current in these pages. From India’s ambitious maritime and shipbuilding push with South Korea to the rapid evolution of the space economy, clean energy transitions, critical minerals diplomacy, and healthcare collaboration with partners like Norway and Switzerland, the story is one of scale meeting strategy. India is no longer simply participating in global systems; it is actively shaping them.

The Johannesburg G20 Summit stands as a defining moment in this narrative. Prime Minister Modi’s articulation of human-centric development, climate responsibility, and inclusive growth — coupled with concrete proposals on health, skills, satellite data, and critical minerals — reflects an India confident in its ideas and prepared to shoulder global responsibility.

As always, India Empire remains committed to chronicling these developments through a diaspora-aware, globally attuned lens.

This December, that lens also turns inward — to India’s own entrepreneurial story. Our cover feature spotlights the Muppa Group, a Hyderabad-based enterprise that has evolved from a family-led real estate venture into a multi-generational institution shaping urban landscapes and modern lifestyles. The Muppa story is emblematic of a confident India where long-term vision, trust, and execution converge — values that resonate strongly with the global Indian diaspora seeking enduring connections with India’s growth narrative. Our mission — now spanning over two decades and more than 252 editions — is to document India’s evolving engagement with the world while keeping people, partnerships, and purpose at the centre of the story.

As the year turns, one theme emerges clearly from these pages: India’s global journey is no longer about arrival. It is about stewardship.

Sayantan Chakravarty
sayantanc@gmail.com