India is pursuing self-sufficiency in economic and military domains – an essential pre-requisite for leveraging its influence as a global power. The paper examines India’s Atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) policy, launched in 2020, and assesses how it has been framed as a core national value by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It delves into the policy decisions, administrative reforms, and resource mobilization undertaken to ensure Atmanirbharta remains a top priority for the Modi administration. Through the lens of constructivism, this paper describes the ideological narratives and identity-based discourses that shape Atmanirbharta. This study addresses two key questions: How has Indian government constructed Atmanirbharta to advance its global ambitions? Why has Atmanirbharta emerged as a central policy instrument for enhancing India’s military and economic capabilities? The study undertakes a qualitative methodological approach to analyze both primary and secondary data. The findings suggest that despite structural and institutional constraints, the governing leadership has actively sought to construct a policy ecosystem that promotes domestic production. In this endeavor, Atmanirbharta functions not only as an economic but also as an ideological framework driving New Delhi’s aspiration for a great power status. This study highlights how ideological narratives increasingly shape economic and security policymaking in rising powers.