View source for India as a potential superpower

{{short description|India as a potential superpower}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2021}}

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! colspan="4"  style="text-align:center; background:#ccf;"|[[India|Republic of India]]
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| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Flag of India.svg|center|border|180px]]
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| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:India (orthographic projection).svg|center|180px]]
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[[Republic of India|India]] is considered one of the [[potential superpowers]] of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_s2.html|title=NIC Global Trend|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616160651/http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_s2.html|archive-date=16 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-01-13-long-view-usat_x.htm|title=Prediction: India, China will be economic giants|date=13 January 2005|work=USA Today|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pubfiles/India_webFINALsml_1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325123418/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pubfiles/India_webFINALsml_1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2020|title=Lowy Institute paper - The Next Economic Giant|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/|title=India: Asia's Other Superpower Breaks Out - Newsweek: World News - MSNBC.com|date=28 March 2006|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328182554/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/|archive-date=28 March 2006}}</ref> This potential is attributed to several indicators, the primary ones being its demographic trends and a rapidly expanding economy and military. In 2015, India became the world's fastest growing economy with a 5% estimated GDP rate (mid year terms).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/imf-expects-india-to-retain-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-tag/articleshow/49245651.cms?from=mdr|title=IMF expects India to retain world's fastest growing economy tag|first=Vinay|last=Pandey|date=7 October 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>  Before it can be considered a [[superpower]], the country must overcome many economic, social, and political problems and it also needs to be as influential on the international stage when compared to the [[United States]], [[China]] and the former [[Soviet Union]].

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==Factors in favour==
{|align=right
|[[Image:Himalayas.jpg|thumb|250px|View of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. The [[Himalaya]]s in the north and north-east protect the subcontinent from bitter continental cold, save the [[monsoon]] winds from escaping, and replenish the river watersheds and flat arable lands that have spawned the Indian civilisation.]]
[[Image:Bombay24a.jpg|thumb|250px|The Metropolis of [[Mumbai]] as seen from above during night time. Mumbai is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in [[India]]]]
|}

India lies in the cultural region of the [[Indian Ocean]] - a zone with unprecedented potential for growth in the scale of transoceanic commerce, with many Eurasian and increasingly Afro-Asian sea-trade routes passing through or close to Indian [[territorial waters]].  The subcontinent's land and water resources, though strained, are still sustaining its massive population. {{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}
According to [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston]] of the [[British Empire]]:

<blockquote>
The central position of India, its magnificent resources, its teeming multitude of men, its great trading harbours, its reserve of military strength, supplying an army always in a high state of efficiency and capable of being hurled at a moment's notice upon any point either of Asia or Africa--all these are assets of precious value. On the West, India must exercise a predominant influence over the destinies of [[Iran|Persia]] and [[Afghanistan]]; on the north, it can veto any rival in [[Tibet]]; on the north-east . . . it can exert great pressure upon [[China]], and it is one of the guardians of the autonomous existence of [[Thailand|Siam]] ([[Kingdom of Thailand]]). The possession of India gave the British Empire its global reach.<ref>''The Weekly Standard''[http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 The Great Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216141747/http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 |date=16 December 2008 }} by Daniel Twining</ref>
</blockquote>

===Possible future advantage of location===

====Energy====

In the future, the world is expected to exit the [[Fossil fuel|"fossil fuel age"]], and perhaps the [[Nuclear power|"nuclear energy age"]], and enter the ''[[Renewable energy|"renewable-energy age"]]'' or even further into the ''[[Fusion power|"fusion power age"]]'', if and whenever these technologies become economically sustainable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/11/11/83056/403|title=Our Energy Future: Fusion, Space Solar Power or both? -- kuro5hin.org|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>[[Future energy development]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lb.shuttle.de/apastron/energy.htm|title=The Energy Debate: my conclusions...|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> Being a region in the [[Tropical region|sunny tropical belt]], the [[Indian subcontinent]] could greatly benefit from a renewable energy trend, as it has the ideal combination of both - high [[Insolation|solar insolation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energie-atlas.net/so-100.htm#1-2-101|title=Energy-Atlas Solar radiation|access-date=11 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105230402/http://www.energie-atlas.net/so-100.htm#1-2-101|archive-date=5 November 2015}}</ref> and a big [[consumer|consumer base]] density.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116|title=NASA Visible Earth: Population Density|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608063347/http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116|archive-date=8 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/solar_leds_brig.php|title=Solar LEDs Brighten Rural India's Future|work=TreeHugger|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3623864.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Technology - Solar plan for Indian computers|access-date=11 September 2015|date=5 September 2004}}</ref> For example, considering the costs of energy consumed for temperature control (a major factor influencing a region's [[energy intensity]]) and the fact that -  cooling load requirements, unlike heating, are roughly in phase with the sun's intensity, cooling from the excessive solar radiation could make great energetic (and hence economic) sense in the subcontinent, whenever the required technology becomes competitively cheaper.<ref>[http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/artikeljuni2002-e.html Solar Cooling] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407202244/http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/artikeljuni2002-e.html |date=7 April 2010 }} German report</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilkdresden.de/de/leistungen/forall/pdf/vortrag_cooling_applications.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007160149/http://www.ilkdresden.de/de/leistungen/forall/pdf/vortrag_cooling_applications.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Paper presented at International Conference on Solar Air Conditioning, Germany|archive-date=7 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solel.com/products/icooling/solar_cooling/|title=Solar Cooling - Case Studies|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> India also has 25% of the world's [[thorium]] resources. {{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}

===Demographic factors===
{{Main|Demographics of India}}
[[Image:apartmentingurgaon.JPG|right|thumb|250px|The increased Indian population has prompted the creation of high rise apartment blocks in numerous cities, including relatively minor cities like [[Gurgaon]], where this apartment block was built.]]

====Large population====
India has the [[List of countries and dependencies by population|world's second largest population]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbrank.html|title=International Programs|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622093041/http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbrank.html|archive-date=22 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[List of countries by population growth rate|The PGR for the country is 1.1]]. A very large number of India's population, about 50%, is below the age group of 24. This provides the nation with a large workforce for many decades, helping in its growth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellingenheld/2015/02/25/demographics-will-power-the-worlds-new-growth-leader-india/|title=Demographics Will Power The World's New Growth Leader: India|first=Michael|last=Lingenheld|work=Forbes|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Young population====
Due to its high [[birth rate]], India has a young population compared to more developed nations. It has approximately 65% of its population below the age of 35. In addition, declining fertility is beginning to reduce the youth dependency rate which may produce a [[demographic dividend]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://customerworld.typepad.com/swami_weblog/2006/02/indias_demograp.html|title=India's demographic dividend (Customer World)|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/17/stories/2006011701531100.htm|title=India's potential 'demographic dividend'|work=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=aEISLF.zCjBo&refer=columnist_mukherjee|title=India Argues as Window of Opportunity Closes: Andy Mukherjee|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> In the coming decades, while some of the powerful nations will witness a decrease in workforce numbers, India is expected to have an increase. For example, while [[Europe]] is well past its [[Demographic Window|demographic window]], the [[United States]] entered its own in 1970 (lasting until 2015), [[China]] entered its own in 1990 (and will last until 2025), India entered its own in 2010 (and it will last until 2050).<ref>[https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf Demographic Windows - Table19(pg 93), TableA19(pg 250)] Pop2300, UN</ref> In the words of Indian Scholar [[Rejaul Karim Laskar]], "when greying population will be seen inhibiting economic growth of major countries, India will be brimming with youthful energy".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskar|first1=R. K.|title=To reap India's demographic dividend|url=http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|access-date=28 January 2018|agency=Financial World|date=6 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210142619/http://old.thefinancialworld.com/epaper/fwepaper_new.aspx|archive-date=10 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Regionally, [[South Asia]] is supposed to maintain the youngest demographic profile after [[Africa]] and the [[Middle East]], with the window extending up to the 2070s.<ref>[https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf WORLD POPULATION TO 2300] The United Nations</ref>

====[[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Global diaspora]]====
More than 32 million [[Indian people|Indians]] live across the globe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population of Overseas Indians |url=http://mea.gov.in/images/attach/NRIs-and-PIOs_1.pdf |website=mea.gov.in |access-date=25 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/|title=The Indian Diaspora|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815081659/http://www.indiandiaspora.nic.in/|archive-date=15 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Under fair opportunities, they have become socio-economically successful— especially in the US and the UK where they are the highest earning ethnic demographic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asian-nation.org/demographics.shtml|title=Socioeconomic Statistics & Demographics : Asian-Nation :: Asian American History, Demographics, & Issues|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Foreign language skills====
The importance of the [[English language]] in the 21st century is a topic of debate,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sydneyline.com/Anglosphere%20Challenge.htm|title=Sphere of Influence?|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426232312/http://www.sydneyline.com/Anglosphere%20Challenge.htm|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoboyz.net/archives/001621.html|title=Chicago Boyz » Blog Archive » Language matters. Borders matter.|author=Chicago Boyz|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://law.richmond.edu/jolt/v12i1/article2.pdf|title=Privacy Policy - Consent - University of Richmond|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> nonetheless the growing pool of non-native English speakers makes it the best contender for "[[World language|Global language]]" status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goingglobal.corante.com/archives/2006/02/24/english_as_a_second_language_english_as_a_global_language.php|title=English as a Second Language. English as a Global Language.. Going Global: Adventures in Web globalization and all that it entails|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dannyreviews.com/h/English_Global_Language.html|title=English as a Global Language|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> Incidentally, India has the world's largest [[Indian English|English]] speaking/understanding population.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/txt/s1363471.htm ABC Australia]<!-- This article just mentions Crystal's result; can we get a primary source for this instead of a secondary/tertiary? --></ref> It claims one of the largest workforces of [[engineer]]s, [[physician|doctors]] and other key professionals, all comfortable with English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investmentcommission.in/human_capital.htm|title=Versatile, skilled human capital|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> It has the 2nd largest population of "fluent English" speakers, second only to the [[United States]], with estimates ranging from 150 to 250 million speakers, and is expected to have the largest in coming decades. Indians are also learning [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[French language|French]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Mandarin Chinese]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[German language|German]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workpermit.com/news/2007_01_26/india/foreign_language_professionals_needed.htm|title=India needs at least 160,000 foreign language professionals by 2010|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/why-spanish-is-on-its-way-to-becoming-one-of-india-s-favoured-foreign-languages-053048513.html|title=Why Spanish Is On Its Way to Becoming One of India's Favoured Foreign Languages|date=6 April 2015|work=Yahoo News India|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

===Political factors===
{{Main|Politics of India}}
[[File:New Delhi government block 03-2016 img3.jpg|250px|thumb|The Machinery of the world's largest democracy: [[Sansad Bhavan]], the Parliament of India]]
[[File:BRICS leaders meet on the sidelines of 2016 G20 Summit in China.jpg|thumb|250 px|The BRICS leaders in 2016. Left to right: [[Michel Temer|Temer]], [[Narendra Modi|Modi]], [[Xi Jinping|Xi]], [[Vladimir Putin|Putin]] and [[Jacob Zuma|Zuma]].]]

====Democratic republicanism====
India is the world's largest [[democratic republic]], four times bigger than the next largest (the [[United States]]). It has so far been successful politically, especially considering its functionality despite its difficult ethnic composition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu91/3p.asp|title=The World's Largest Democracy|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=76315|title=Google Answers: Democracy in India|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> The fact that India is a [[democracy]] has improved its relations with other democratic nations and significantly improved its ties with the majority of the nations in the [[Developed country|developed world]].<ref>[http://www.io.com/~casburn/blog/archives/2004/01/04/000051.html ''India as a future superpower''] The Trailing Edge</ref>

====Candidacy for Security Council====
India has been pressing for permanent membership of the [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] (as part of the [[G4 nations]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/g4-nations-bid-for-permanent-security-council-seat/a-1335522|title=G4 Nations Bid for Permanent Security Council Seat &#124; DW &#124; 22.09.2004|website=DW.COM}}</ref>) but with a clause that it won't exercise its [[veto]] for the next 15 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/12/content_433530.htm|title=Premier: China supports India's bid for UNSC seat|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> It has received backing from [[United States]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump supports India's permanent membership of UNSC - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/trump-supports-indias-permanent-membership-of-unsc/articleshow/59335826.cms |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Barack Obama reaffirms support for India's UN Security Council bid |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/barack-obama-reaffirms-support-for-indias-un-security-council-bid/articleshow/46855117.cms |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=The Economic Times |date=8 April 2015}}</ref> [[France]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/|title=Daily Times|website=Daily Times}}</ref> [[Russia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2004/12/05/top9.htm|title=Russia wants India in UNSC with veto power: Putin clarifies statement|access-date=11 September 2015|date=5 December 2004}}</ref> and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/frontpage|title=Homepage|date=14 February 2018|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> However, [[China]]'s stand remains unclear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/reform/cluster1/2005/0803chinausblock.htm|title=US and China Unite to Block G4 Plan|author=Administrator|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India's UNSC alliance with Japan biggest mistake: Chinese media |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indias-unsc-alliance-with-japan-biggest-mistake-chinese-media/articleshow/49042814.cms |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 July 2018}}</ref>

====Foreign relations====
{{Main|Foreign relations of India}}
India has developed relationships with the [[Great power|world powers]] like the United Kingdom, the [[India–European Union relations|European Union]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/india/csp/index.htm|title=EU-India|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> [[India–Japan relations|Japan]], [[India–Russia relations|Russia]], and the [[India–United States relations|United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/&articleid=265303|title=Content Not Found - Mail & Guardian|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> It also developed relationships with the [[Africa–India relations|African Union]] (particularly [[India–South Africa relations|South Africa]]), the [[Arab World]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[India–Israel relations|Israel]] and [[South America]]n nations (particularly [[Brazil–India relations|Brazil]]). To make the environment favourable for [[economic growth]], India is investing on its relations with [[China–India relations|China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/special-reports/us-election-world?id=5578|title=US Election & the World &#124; YaleGlobal Online|website=yaleglobal.yale.edu}}</ref>  It has significantly boosted its image among [[Western world|Western nations]] and signed a civilian nuclear deal with the United States in March 2006. It is also working for better relationships with [[India–Pakistan relations|Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.logosjournal.com/issue_4.1/parikh.htm|title=MANJU PARIKH -- INDIA-PAKISTAN RAPPROCHEMENT: A CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM? -- LOGOS 4.1 WINTER 2005|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Role in international politics====
Historically, India was one of the founding members of [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and had good relationships with [[Soviet Union]] and other parts of western world. It played regional roles in [[South Asia]]n affairs, e.g. its use of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and in [[Sri Lanka]]. It took a leading initiative to improve relations between [[Africa]]n and [[Asia]]n countries. India is an active member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and the [[World Trade Organization|WTO]]. The evolving economic integration politics in the West and in Asia is influencing the Indian mood to slowly swing in favour of integration with the global economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/02/feldstein_on_ec.html|title=Economist's View|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>  Currently, India's political moves are being influenced by economic imperatives. [[New Delhi]] is also being observed to slowly, cautiously, and often hesitantly, step into the uncharted role of becoming one of the two major seats of political power in Asia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/BAT/125645.htm|title=Two Sleeping Asian Giants Awaken|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> the other being at [[Beijing]]. Some enlightened thinkers from the subcontinent have also envisioned, over the long run, a South Asian version of free trade zone and even a Union, where the South Asian nations relinquish all past animosities and move to make economic growth a pan subcontinental phenomenon.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=2765|title=The Seoul Times|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Multipolarity====
A new and highly controversial geopolitical strategy, being debated in the West, is whether India should be trusted/helped to become an economically strong democratic citizen of the world, and be used to [[offshore balancing|balance]] the powerful but non-democratic forces, to insure a more stable world.<ref>[http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 The Great Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216141747/http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 |date=16 December 2008 }} by Daniel Twining, ''The Weekly Standard''</ref>  Generally speaking, it is discussed in the context of adopting a policy of [[offshore balancing]] on the part of the United States.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060328182554/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/ India Rising] MSNBC Newsweek</ref>

====Economic growth====
India's current economic growth (as the world's fastest-growing major economy as of 2015) has improved its standing on the world's political stage, even though it is still a developing country, but one that is showing strong development. Many nations are moving to forge better relationships with India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-lauds-india-and-puts-runs-on-board-for-trade-links/2006/03/08/1141701579383.html|title=PM lauds India and puts runs on board for trade links|access-date=11 September 2015|date=9 March 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1718111,00.html|title=Booming India finds that America wants to be its new best friend|first=Amelia|last=Gentleman|newspaper=the Guardian|access-date=11 September 2015|date=26 February 2006}}</ref>
[[File:Mumbai Pune ExpresswayDec2007.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Mumbai Pune Expressway]], part of a series of modern high-traffic roads in India]]

===Economic factors===
{{Main|Economy of India}}
[[File:Narendra Modi launches Make in India.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch of ''[[Make in India]]'']]

====Booming economy====
The [[economy of India]] is currently the world's [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|third largest]] in terms of [[Real versus nominal value|real GDP]] ([[Purchasing Power Parity|PPP]]) after the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. According to the [[World Bank]], India overtook China to become the fastest-growing major economy in the world as of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/indias-growth-rate-set-to-surpass-china-this-year-world-bank/articleshow/47621953.cms|title=India's growth rate set to surpass China this year: World Bank|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=11 September 2015|date=11 June 2015}}</ref> Its record growth was in the third quarter of 2003 when it grew higher than any other emerging economy at 10.4%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.domainmarket.com/buynow/indiainitiative.com|title=IndiaInitiative.com is available at DomainMarket.com|website=IndiaInitiative.com is available at DomainMarket.com}}</ref><ref>[http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2006/0406/will/williamson_india.html India's Rising Economy] by John Williamson</ref> Estimates by the IMF show that in 2011 (see [[List of countries by future GDP estimates (PPP)]]), India became the third largest economy in the world, overtaking the Japanese economy and the fifth largest economy by GDP (Nominal). India has grown at 7.5% in 2015.

=====[[Primary sector of industry|Primary sector]]=====
India, growing at 9% per year, is the world's second largest producer of food next to China. Food processing accounts for US$69.4 billion as gross income.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibef.org/economy/overview.aspx|title=Indian Economy|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

=====[[Secondary sector of industry|Secondary sector]]=====
India is still relatively a small player in manufacturing when compared to many world leaders. Some new trends suggest an improvement in the future, since the manufacturing sector is growing at 11-12%.<ref>[http://ibef.org/download/Manufacturing_13feb06.pdf Manufacturing in India]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/special-reports/us-election-world?id=6582|title=US Election & the World &#124; YaleGlobal Online|website=yaleglobal.yale.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://home.kpmg/ca/en/home.html|title=Home - KPMG Canada|date=19 August 2019|website=KPMG}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physorg.com/news11145.html|title=India eyes hi-tech manufacturing|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kpmg.se/pages/102897.html|title=Manufacturing in India - Opportunities, Challenges, and Myths|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibef.org/economy/manufacturing.aspx|title=Indian Economy|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

=====[[Tertiary sector of industry|Tertiary]] and [[Quaternary sector of industry|quaternary sector]]=====
India currently has an expanding [[Information Technology|IT]] industry which is considered one of the best in the world. Some have begun to describe India as a ''technology superpower''.<ref>[http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/11-01h-04.asp ''India acts as a technology superpower – provides IT grant to Uzbekistan!''] India Daily</ref><ref>[http://www.emergence.nu/events/budapest/ahuja.pdf Information Technology in India] ''The Emergence Project''</ref> It is considered the World's Office and is leading in the Services Industry. This is mainly due to the availability of a large pool of highly skilled, low cost, English speaking workforce.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=1,5,1,144|title=Offshoring|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=323&ObjectID=10329364 India IT] NZ Herald</ref>

[[File:ISRO rockets.JPG|thumb|250px|The [[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle]] in [[Shri Harikota]]. India is one of the few countries in the world that has the capability of launching satellites into [[geostationary transfer orbit]]s.]]

====Science and technology====
{{main|Science and technology in India}}
India is attempting to develop a highly skilled workforce with an expert command of the [[English language]] to fit into the future [[knowledge economy]].<ref>[https://www.newscientist.com/special/india India: The next knowledge superpower] NewScientist</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/WBIPROGRAMS/KFDLP/0,,contentMDK:20552872~menuPK:461238~pagePK:64156158~piPK:64152884~theSitePK:461198,00.html|title=Knowledge for Development - India and the Knowledge Economy: Leveraging Strengths and Opportunities|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> India is becoming one of the world's leading producers of computer software; with mushrooming research and development centres, it is experiencing a steady revolution in its science and technology sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.com.com/Indias+renaissance+The+100+computer/2009-1041_3-5752054.html|title=9news.i.com.com|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://desicritics.org/2006/02/07/160341.php|title=Biotech: The Next Tech Revolution In India|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=5725|title=IT Business Edge - News, Analysis, and Trends|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> A typical example of India's accomplished scientific endeavours includes: becoming the third nation to found a National Space Agency called [[ISRO]], after the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and the U.S.; the third Asian nation to [[Rohini (satellite)|launch a satellite]] from an [[Satellite Launch Vehicle|indigenously developed rocket]] into orbit after China and Japan, starting with [[Rohini (satellite)|Rohini RS-1]] in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aerospaceguide.net/worldspace/india_in_space.html|title=India in Space|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1283700.stm|title=BBC News - SOUTH ASIA - India joins space elite|access-date=11 September 2015|date=18 April 2001}}</ref> In January 2007, India became the fourth nation to complete [[atmospheric reentry]]<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1907193,00040005.htm Hindustan Times] ''Giant step in space as capsule returns''</ref> In October 2008, India launched its first unmanned [[lunar probe]], [[Chandrayaan 1]], which operated until August 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physorg.com/news3448.html|title=Europe, India Cooperate for India's Moon Mission|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-05k.html|title=NASA Seeks Berth On India's Moon Mission|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/05/MNGMIHITQG1.DTL|title=World's nations will shoot for the moon in the next decade|work=SFGate|access-date=11 September 2015|date=5 March 2006}}</ref> On 14 November 2008, the [[Moon Impact Probe]] separated from the Chandrayaan orbiter at 20:06 and was deliberately made to strike the Moon near the south pole, making India the fourth country to reach the Moon's surface. Among its many achievements was the discovery of the widespread presence of water molecules in lunar soil. On 24 September 2014, India became the fourth nation to have a [[Mars Orbiter Mission|satellite orbiting Mars]]. India is the first Asian nation to achieve this and the first to do so in a first attempt in the whole world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29307123|title=Mangalyaan: India's race for space success|date=24 September 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> India and the United States have increased mutual co-operation in space-travel related technologies, such as increasing the interoperability between Indian and US systems, and prospects for a commercial space launch agreement with India that would allow US satellites to be launched on Indian vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/768/1|title=The Space Review: The other rising Asian space power|website=www.thespacereview.com}}</ref> India is among the world leaders in [[remote sensing]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/spp/guide/india/earth/irs.htm|title=IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite)|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> a technology coming to great use, among others, to Indian fishermen & farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/special/india/mg18524871.000|title=NewScientist - Indian Space programme|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> India is also trying to join international R&D projects - e.g. it has recently joined the European [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo GPS Project]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-144243-16&type=News|title=EurActiv|work=EurActiv - EU News & policy debates, across languages|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> and the [[ITER|ITER for fusion energy ]] club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4504668.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Science/Nature - India joins nuclear fusion club|access-date=11 September 2015|date=6 December 2005}}</ref> India also holds a world record for placing 104 satellites in orbit by single launch. India recently launched [[Chandrayaan-2|Chandrayaan 2]] mission to moon which had included a lander and rover. It also has a planned space mission([[Indian Human Spaceflight Programme|Indian Human spaceflight]]) to send a human to space by 2022. Some Indian educational and research institutions like [[Indian Institute of Technology|IIT]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/19/60minutes/main559476.shtml|title=Imported From India|date=19 June 2003|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> [[Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research|IISER]],<ref>{{Cite journal|date=26 March 2015|title=India|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=519|issue=7544|pages=S66–S67|doi=10.1038/519S66a|issn=0028-0836|bibcode=2015Natur.519S..66.|pmid=25806698|doi-access=free}}</ref> [[National Institutes of Technology|NIT]], [[Indian Institutes of Information Technology|IIIT]], [[BITS Pilani]], [[Indian Institute of Management|IIM]], [[Indian Institute of Science|IISc]], [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research|TIFR]] and [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences|AIIMS]] are among the world's best.

====Energy====
To reduce the [[energy]] crisis, India is presently constructing ~ 9 civilian [[nuclear power]] reactors and several [[Hydroelectricity|hydro-power]] stations. On 25 January 2007, Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] offered to build 4 more reactors on a visit to India, and India is expected to clinch this deal of strategical importance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf17.htm|title=Information Library|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105111853/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf17.htm|archive-date=5 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Recently, it also made a civilian nuclear energy deal with the US<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4695477.stm|title=BBC NEWS - South Asia - Historic breakthrough for India-US relations|access-date=11 September 2015|date=19 July 2005}}</ref> and EU.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/20/news/chirac.php France and India agree on atom deal]</ref> In recent years, India joined China to launch a vigorous campaign to acquire oil fields around the world and now has stake in several oil fields (in the Middle East and Russia).<ref>[http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=358 INDIA'S ENERGY FUTURE]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blonnet.com/2005/02/19/stories/2005021902920300.htm|title=India keen on stake in 4 oil fields in Kazakhstan|work=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/apr2005/ind1-a12.shtml|title=India joins the scramble for oil - World Socialist Web Site|first=Parwini|last=Zora|date=12 April 2005|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:New Delhi Metro.jpeg|thumb|250px|[[New Delhi Metro]], operational since 2002, is seen as a model for other metros. With growth in economy and technology, India is welcoming modernisation.]] -->

====Mass transit system====
India is in the process of developing modern [[public transport|mass rapid transit]] systems to replace its existing system which is seen as inadequate to cater to present and future urban requirements. A modern metro rail system is already in place in the cities of [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Kolkata]], [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], [[Kochi (India)|Kochi]], [[Gurgaon]], [[Jaipur]] and [[Lucknow]] . Work is in progress or would be commencing shortly for developing similar mass transit system in cities of [[New Okhla Industrial Development Authority|Noida]], [[Pune]] [[Bhopal]], [[Nagpur]], [[Indore]], [[Kanpur]] and [[Ahmedabad]]. [[Indore]] is leading the track by implementing world class GPS enabled low floor buses in a [[Rapid Transport System]]. With the growth in economy and technology, India is welcoming modernisation. The [[Indian Railways|Indian rail network]] traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 63,140&nbsp;[[kilometre|km]] (39,200&nbsp;[[mile]]s). It is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world, transporting over 9 billion passengers and over 350 million [[tonne]]s of freight annually.<ref>[http://www.indianrail.gov.in/abir.html Salient Features of Indian Railways]. Figures as of 2002.</ref> Its operations covers [[states and territories of India|twenty-seven states and three Union territories]] and also links the neighbouring countries of [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]]. However, other public transport systems, such as buses are often not up to the standards followed in developed countries. India is heading towards the implementation of [[High-speed rail in India|high-speed rail in the country]].

[[File:Big Temple-Temple.jpg|thumb|right|250px|upright|The granite [[gopuram|tower]] of [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]] was completed in 1010 CE by [[Raja Raja Chola I]].]]

====Tourism====
{{main|Tourism in India}}
India, with its diverse and fascinating history, arts, music, culture, spiritual & social models has witnessed the growth of a booming tourism industry.<ref name="HT tourism">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/8131_1821301,00160138.htm India's incredible tourism story only gets better] by Saikat Neogi, 16 October 2006</ref> India is a historic place with a diverse history of over five millennia. About 3.9 million tourists travelled to India in 2005, each spending approximately $1,470 per person, higher than that of France (the leading tourist destination in the world).<ref name="HT tourism"/> Foreign visitors in 2005 spent more than US$15.4 billion annually in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/157-India.shtml|title=Tourism Booming in India|author=smh|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2005/s1496346.htm|title=Foreign Correspondent - 08/11/2005: India - Medical Tourism|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/2169.html|title=Association for Asia Research- India&'s tourism industry booms|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> Many travellers find the cultural diversity an enriching experience, despite the hassles inefficiency, pollution and overcrowding.<ref>[http://www.roadjunky.com/india/guide_india.shtml A Travel Guide to India] ''Road Junky Guides''</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://travel.roughguides.com/roughguides.html|title=Rough Guides Travel|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Monuments like the [[Taj Mahal]] are among the many attractions of this land.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geographia.com/indx04.htm|title=Geographia - Asia Homepage|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>[[Tourism in India]]</ref> As of 2006, Conde Nast Traveller ranked India the 4th most preferred travel destination.<ref name="HT tourism"/> The Planning Commission expects 5.8 million tourists travelling to India by 2010. The World Travel and Tourism Council believes India's tourism industry will grow at 10% per annum in the next decade, making it lead the world in terms of growth.<ref name="HT tourism"/>  Tourism contributes 6% of India's GDP and employs 40 million people, making it an important factor in India's economic growth.<ref name="HT tourism"/> More than 8 million foreign tourists arrived in the year 2015 against 7.68 million in 2014
recording a growth of 4.4 percent over 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/foreign-tourist-arrivals-grow-by-4-4-pc-in-2015/190929/|title=Foreign tourist arrivals grow by 4.4 pc in 2015|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=23 June 2016|date=9 January 2016|author=PTI}}</ref><ref name="PIB2015">{{cite web|title=Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=36|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=11 May 2016}} On the left side of page, English releases are displayed by months; select January 2016 from the menu and click on second last post among the posts displayed on left side.</ref>

====[[Medical tourism in India]]====
Indian Metros have emerged as the leading destination of medical tourism. Last year, an estimated 150,000 foreigners visited India for medical procedures, and the number is increasing at the rate of about 15 percent a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49743-2004Oct20.html|title=Surgeries, Side Trips for 'Medical Tourists'|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

===Military factors===
{{Main|Indian Armed Forces}}
[[File:A Indian CRPF QRT operator.jpg|thumb|An Indian CRPF trooper.]]

====Total strength====
The [[Indian Armed Forces]], India's main defence organisation, consists of two main branches: the core [[Military of India]] and the [[Indian Paramilitary Forces]]. The Military of India maintains the [[List of countries by number of active troops|largest]] [[active duty]] force in the world as of 2020,<ref>See [[List of countries by number of active troops]]</ref> while the [[Indian Paramilitary Forces]], over a million strong, is the second largest [[paramilitary]] force in the world. Combined, the total [[armed forces]] of India are 2,414,700 strong, the [[List of countries by size of armed forces|world's third largest]] defence force.<ref>See [[List of countries by size of armed forces]]</ref>

====Army====
The [[Army of India]], as the Indian [[army]] was called under [[British Raj|British rule]] before 1947, played a crucial role in checking the advance of [[Imperial Japan]] into South Asia during [[World War II]]. It also played a leading role in [[Bangladesh Liberation War|the liberation of Bangladesh]] in 1971. Today, the [[Indian Army]] is the world's largest army in total numbers of armed personnel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.TOTL.P1?year_high_desc=true|title=Armed forces personnel, total &#124; Data|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref>

====Air force====
The [[Indian Air Force]] is the fourth largest [[air force]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/airforce.htm|title=India - Air Force|first=John|last=Pike|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://careerairforce.nic.in/airforce_history/index.html|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090409230000/http%3A//careerairforce.nic.in/airforce_history/index.html|url-status=dead|title=Indian Air Force website|archive-date=9 April 2009}}</ref> India recently inducted its second indigenously manufactured [[HAL Tejas|combat aircraft]]. India is also developing the [[HAL AMCA|fifth generation stealth aircraft]].

====Navy====
The [[Indian Navy]] is the world's fifth largest [[navy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/Opinion/A-K-Bhattacharya-The-importance-of-making-choices-105011901044_1.html|title=A K Bhattacharya: The importance of making choices|first=A. K.|last=Bhattacharya|date=19 January 2005|via=Business Standard}}</ref> It is considered to have [[Blue-water navy|blue-water]] capabilities with sophisticated missile-capable warships, [[aircraft carrier]], advanced [[submarine]]s and the latest [[aircraft]] in its inventory, along with a significant use of state of the art technology that is indigenously manufactured.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/navy-intro.htm Global Security] The Indian Navy</ref> It operates one [[aircraft carrier]] and also plans to induct the {{INS|Vikrant|2013|6}} by 2020 followed by a larger [[INS Vishal]].

====Integrated Guided Missile Development Program====
[[File:Agni-II missile (Republic Day Parade 2004).jpeg|thumb|right|250px|[[Agni missile system|Agni-II]] ballistic missile.]]

India started the [[Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme|Integrated Guided Missile Development Program]] (IGMDP) to be a self-reliant nation in missile development. The IGMDP program includes five missiles like the Prithvi and [[Agni missile system|Agni]] of ballistic missiles, surface to air missiles Trishul and Akash and also the anti tank Nag missile. Prithvi and Agni missiles are inducted into the armed forces and form the basis of Indian nuclear second strike capability. Trishul missile is declared a technology demonstrator. The [[Akash (missile)|Akash]] (Sky) is in service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. While Nag and Helina missiles are undergoing user trials. Recently, a new weapons system, the beyond visual range air-to-air [[Astra (missile)|Astra missile]] was added to the project. Also India has fielded many modern missiles like the anti ballistic missiles like the [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme|AAD and PAD]] along with [[K Missile family|submarine launched ballistic missiles]] for its [[Arihant-class submarine|Arihant class]] of nuclear ballistic submarines. The expertise in developing these missiles has helped Indian scientists to contribute to joint weapon development programs like the [[BrahMos|Brahmos]] and Barak-II. India is also developing long range cruise missiles similar to the Tomahawk class of missiles called [[Nirbhay]]. There are reports of India developing an intercontinental ballistic missile beyond the range of ten thousand kilometres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/04/india-is-developing-a-10000-kilometer-range-icbm/|title=India Is Capable of Developing a 10,000-Kilometer Range ICBM|author=Ankit Panda, The Diplomat|work=The Diplomat|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>  India is self-reliant in missile technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1337_India_self_reliant_missile.htm|title=..:: India Strategic ::. Missiles: India's Self-Reliant Missile Journey|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Nuclear weapons====
India has possessed [[nuclear weapons]] since 1974, when it did the Pokharan I nuclear tests, and the means to deliver them over long distances. However, India is not a signatory to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (on grounds of security concerns and that India condemns the NPT as discriminatory).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/nuke/|title=Nuclear Weapons|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=so05norris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928030843/http://www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=so05norris|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2006|title=Search|work=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Arms imports====
India is currently the world's 2nd largest arms importer as of the end of 2019, spending an estimated US$16.97 billion in 2004.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} India has made military technology deals with the Russian Federation, the U.S., Israel and the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rupe-india.org/41/central.html|title=Aspects of India's Economy No. 41|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Current major roles====
The [[Indian Armed Forces]] plays a crucial role in [[anti-terrorist]] activities and maintaining law and order in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region. India has also participated in several [[United Nations]] peace-keeping missions, currently being the largest contributor to UN peace keeping force and is the second-largest contributor to the [[United Nations Democracy Fund]] behind the USA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/maintenance/|title=United Nations Maintenance Page|website=www.un.org}}</ref>

===Cultural factors===
{{Main|Culture of India}}

====History====
{{Main|History of India}}
Indians invented the [[Indian numerals|numbering system]] (introduced into the West by Arabic mathematicians, [[Hindu-Arabic numeral system|Arabic numerals]]), the concept of zero, [[Indian logic|logic]], geometry, basic algebra, calculus, probability, astronomy etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab34|title=COUNTING SYSTEMS AND NUMERALS|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/%7Ehistory/HistTopics/Indian_numerals.html|title=Indian numerals|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706140353/http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/%7Ehistory/HistTopics/Indian_numerals.html|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2003/06/01-95210802.html|title=Laputan Logic - The Evolution of Numbers|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-date=22 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322183224/http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2003/06/01-95210802.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>http://ckraju.net/papers/calculus_abstract_2.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.ckraju.net/papers/Probability-in-Ancient-India.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crystalinks.com/indiastronomy.html|title=Astronomy in Ancient India - Crystalinks|website=www.crystalinks.com|access-date=27 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Plofker|first=Kim|author-link=Kim Plofker|title= Mathematics in India|title-link=Mathematics in India|year=2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ckraju.net/papers/calculus_abstract_1.pdf|title=The Indian Origins of the Calculus and its Transmission to Europe Prior to Newton and Leibniz. Part I}}</ref> India has a long history of cultural dialogue with many regions of the world, especially within Asia, where its cultural influence has spread through the philosophy of religions like Jainism, [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]], etc. - particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Many religions with origins outside the Indian subcontinent - [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Baháʼí Faith]] - have found followers in India. Indian culture has spread to foreign lands through wandering traders, philosophers, migration and not through conquest. According to Chinese ambassador to the United States, [[Hu Shih]]:
<blockquote>India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border. - [[Hu Shih]]<ref>[http://www.spiritualjourneys.net/quotes_about_india.htm Spiritual Journeys] ''Quotes About India''</ref><ref>[http://thinkexist.com/quotation/india_conquered_and_dominated_china_culturally/188786.html ThinkExist] ''Hu Shih Quotes''</ref></blockquote>

====Cinema====
{{Main|Cinema of India}}
India's film industry produces more feature films than any other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3569|title=American Chronicle|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> In a year, it sold 3.6 billion tickets, more than any other film industry in the world (In comparison, [[Hollywood]] sold 2.6 billion tickets).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://richardemblin.blogspot.com/2006/01/letter-from-india.html|title=The Diary of an Intimate Stranger|first=Richard|last=Emblin|date=9 January 2006|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> The cinemas play a major role in spreading [[Indian culture]] worldwide.  Indian cinema transcended its boundaries from the days of film Awara, a great hit in Russia. Bollywood films are seen in central and west Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleid=VR1117857687&categoryid=19&cs=1|title=In Kabul, hooray for Bollywood|first=Bryan|last=Pearson|work=Variety|date=4 November 2007|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3834295.stm|title=BBC NEWS - South Asia - Bollywood bowls Tajiks over|date=23 June 2004|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/200689.stm|title=BBC News - South Asia - Bollywood stirs Uzbek passions|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4190847.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Entertainment - Bollywood draws global stars|date=20 January 2005|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> Indian films have also found audience in eastern societies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1063542|title=Indian soft power sways China|date=11 November 2006|work=dna|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> India's film industry is now becoming increasingly popular in [[Western society]], with Bollywood festivals occurring numerous cities<ref>[http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20050409-2.html Apun ka Choice] ''New York Film Festival kicks off with Ananda''</ref><ref>[http://www.mgdistribution.com.au/ MG Distribution] Indian Film Festival</ref> and Bollywood dance groups performing in [[New Year's Eve]] celebrations, treatment which other non-English film industries generally do not receive.<ref>[http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/tmcarsrc/Media%20Release%20-%20NYE%202006%20-%20Federation%20Square.pdf Thats Melbourne] ''New Year's Eve Celebration'' - Bollywood dance group</ref>

[[Image:Amritsar-golden-temple-00.JPG|thumb|250px|Golden temple]]

====Unity in diversity of [[world view]]====
India has a [[Demographics of India|multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious]] society living together. The subcontinent's long and diverse history has given it a unique eclectic culture. It is often associated with spirituality. Thanks to its history of both indigenous and foreign influences - like the ancient Indian religions ([[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Sikhism]]) and the ancient Middle East Asian schools of thought (Abrahamic - [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]] etc.) - the current Indian civilizational psyche is evolving into a complex mix of them - sometimes a superposition of religious philosophies with acceptance of the conflicting cosmologies, sometimes striking a middle ground, and sometimes taking the practical attitude - popular with the young - of "filtering the common best, and leaving the rest", thus leading to the creation of many syncretic mix of faiths (such as [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]]). Since Independence, India has regained its more progressive schools of thought, like - [[democracy]], [[secularism]], rule of law, esteem for [[human rights]], rational deductive reasoning, development of [[Science]] and [[Technology]], etc. - are making slow but steady inroads into the collective modern Indian psyche. India's diversity forces it to evolve strong foundations of [[toleration|tolerance]] and pluralism, or face break-up. The Indian public is now also accepting modern [[Western society|western]] influences in their society and media - and what is emerging is a confluence of its past local culture with the new western culture ("Social Globalisation"). For some [[futuristic]] social thinkers, the miscegenation of diverse ancient culture with modernity, spirituality with science/technology, Eastern with Western world-view is potentially making India a social laboratory for the evolution of futuristic global-unity consciousness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auroville.org/economy/New_business_seminar05.htm|title=New Business and Global Consciousness|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/h_es/h_es_malho_global.htm|title=India's Place in Global Consciousness|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=home|title=Start|website=HereNow4u: Portal on Jainism and next level consciousness|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref>

==Points against the rise of India as a superpower==

=== Political obstacles ===
{|align=right
|[[Image:Kargil.map.gif|thumb|right|200px|India has had border disputes with both China and Pakistan. This has led to 3 wars with Pakistan and a war with China. Mapped is the location of the [[1999 Kargil Conflict]], which is the most recent of India's direct military encounters with the [[Military of Pakistan|Pakistani military]].]]
|}

====Cost of democratic republicanism====
Democratic republicanism has its value, more so in a multi-ethnic country like India.<ref>[http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2002/October/India/ Democracy and Islam ] Iranian</ref> However, the applicability of the "theoretical" virtues of republicanism on a country like India is sometimes questioned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://folk.uio.no/danbanik/phdthesis.htm|title=Democracy, drought and starvation in India|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newint.org/issue324/seeking.htm|title=Desperately Seeking Democracy -- New Internationalist|author=The New Internationalist Team|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_100505a.html|title=The Sikh Times - News and Analysis - "Indian Democracy Has Collapsed"|author=Puneet Singh Lamba|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> Some thinkers consider India's diverse democracy to levy a huge tax on its economy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5081267|title=Democracy's drawbacks|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> The Indian government has to consider many interest groups before decision making. However, India is relatively a much younger republic when compared to other major democracies. Moreover, it is predicted that in the long run, India being a democracy will provide it an edge over non-democratic{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} competitors like [[China]].<ref>Huang, Yasheng, and Tarun Khanna. "Can India Overtake China?" ''Foreign Policy'', no. 137 (July–August 2003): 74–81.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YcxFgD89U Race to the Top of the World - India vs China] - BBC Documentary</ref>

====Insurgency====
India has had significant successes with quelling many [[insurgencies]], most prominently the Punjab insurgency ([[Khalistan]]) and the surrender of large sections of insurgent outfits like the [[United Liberation Front of Asom]] in 1992 and [[National Liberation Front of Tripura]] in 2000–2001. However, the Indian government has acknowledged that there has been a dramatic increase in support for the [[Maoist]]s ([[Naxalite]]) insurgency in the last decade.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-05-17-voa23.cfm Insurgency] VOA News</ref> Maoist rebels have increased their influence over the last 10 years, especially in regions near Nepal, particularly by targeting and gaining support from poor villages in India. The boom in support appears to have been also boosted by the successes of the nearly 10-year-old Maoist rebellion in Nepal. India's government has recently taken a new stance on the Maoist insurgency, pulling the affected states together to co-ordinate their response. It says it will combine improved policing with socio-economic measures to defuse grievances that fuel the Maoist cause.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/db/crisisprofiles/IN_MAO.htm|title=Thomson Reuters Foundation|author=Thomson Reuters Foundation|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Disputes====
India's growth is impeded by disputes with its neighbouring China and Pakistan (over historical border and ideological issues) and disputes with [[Bangladesh]] (over water availability and hence, India's neighbours such as China and Pakistan remain distrustful towards India. It is also occasionally burdened with instability issues within some localised-regions of the subcontinent. In an effort to reduce political tension and increase economic co-operation, in recent years, India has improved its relations with its neighbours.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/16/content_3928187.htm India, China to speed up border dispute talks] Xinhua Net</ref>

====Lack of international representation====
India is not a permanent member of the [[UNSC]], although currently, it is one of the [[G4 nations|four-nations group]] actively seeking a permanent seat in the council. Thus India lacks the ability to extend its influence or ideas on international events in the way superpowers do.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twq.com/04winter/docs/04winter_perkovich.pdf#search='Is%20India%20a%20major%20power%20George%20Perkovich'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227014858/http://www.twq.com/04winter/docs/04winter_perkovich.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Is India a Major Power?|archive-date=27 February 2008}}</ref>

=== Economic obstacles ===
{{see also|Economy of India#History}}

====Subsistence Farming====
As of 2020, according to the [[World Bank]], approximately 41.49% of India's total workforce are employed in the agricultural sector. Compared with most [[developed economies]] such as the [[Agriculture in the United States|United States]], [[Agriculture in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], and [[Agriculture in Germany|Germany]], the percentage is around 1%.<ref>https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=IN</ref> This figure is gradually declining. However, it will still require decades until the percentage matches the figures of other leading economies. According to the [[National Institute of Open Schooling]], a majority of farmers in India practises subsistence farming. This means farming for own consumption. In other words, the entire production is largely consumed by the farmers and their family and they do not have any surplus to sell in the market. In this type of farming, landholdings
are small and fragmented. Cultivation techniques are primitive and simple. In other words, there is a total absence of modern equipments like tractors and farm inputs like chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides. In this farming, farmers mostly cultivate cereals along with oil seeds, pulses, vegetables and sugarcane.<ref>https://www.nios.ac.in/media/documents/SecSocSciCour/English/Lesson-12.pdf</ref>

====Poverty====
As of 2011, approximately 21.9%  of India's population lived below poverty line.<ref>[http://m.ndtv.com/profit/poverty-in-india-drops-to-21-9-per-cent-in-2011-12-planning-commission-324857 ]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Poverty-declines-to-21-9-in-2011-12-Planning-Commission/articleshow/21276053.cms|title=Poverty declines to 21.9% in 2011-12: Planning Commission - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Poverty also begets child labour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wm.edu/so/monitor/spring98/docs/ChildLabor.html|title=Child labour in india|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref>  Various reforms, including mass employment schemes have been undertaken by the government to tackle this problem,<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-02/2006-02-02-voa17.cfm?CFID=12447537&CFTOKEN=67146007 Rural Employment Project] VOA</ref> and India has been quite successful in reducing its share of poverty. The number of people living on $1 a day is expected to fall in South Asia from 41.5 per cent in 1990 to 16.4 per cent until 2015.{{Update inline|date=February 2021}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2004/nov/18wb.htm?zcc=rl|title=Poverty rate drops in India: World Bank|date=18 November 2004|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> However, the issue of poverty in India is far from resolved. There is consensus among economists that overall poverty in India has declined, the extent of poverty reduction is often debated.<ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/EXTSAREGTOPPOVRED/0,,contentMDK:20574067~menuPK:493447~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:493441,00.html Poverty in India] World Bank</ref> The economic reforms of the early 1990s were followed by rates of high economic growth. Its effect on poverty remain controversial, and the official numbers published by the Government of India, showing a reduction of poverty from 36% (1993–94) to 26% (1999 – 00), to 22% (2004–05), have been challenged both for allegedly showing too little and too much poverty reduction.<ref name="Deaton et al">[http://poverty2.forumone.com/files/15168_deaton_kozel_2004.pdf Data and dogma: the great Indian poverty debate] A. Deaton (Princeton Univ.) and V. Kozel (World bank)</ref> As of 2011, 86.8% of Indians live on less than $5.50 a day by purchasing power parity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.UMIC?locations=IN|title=Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) (% of the population) &#124; Data|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> While there is a consensus on the fact that liberalisation has led to a reduction of income poverty, the picture is not so clear if one considers other non-pecuniary dimensions (such as health, education, crime and access to infrastructure). With the rapid economic growth that India is experiencing, it is likely that a significant fraction of the rural population will continue to migrate toward cities, making the issue of urban poverty more significant in the long run.<ref>[http://www.csh-delhi.com/events/downloads/BackgroundNote67102006.pdf The Multidimensions of Urban Poverty in India] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619163607/http://www.csh-delhi.com/events/downloads/BackgroundNote67102006.pdf |date=19 June 2006 }}, Centre de Sciences Humaines - New Delhi</ref> Economist [[Pravin Visaria]] has defended the validity of many of the statistics that demonstrated the reduction in overall poverty in India. He insisted that the 1999-2000 survey was well designed and supervised, and he further defended that just because the numbers did not appear to fit preconceived notions about poverty in India, they should not be dismissed outright.<ref>[http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20010319/jairam.shtml Lifting The Poverty Veil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811085456/http://india-today.com/itoday/20010319/jairam.shtml |date=11 August 2010 }} J. Ramesh, India Today</ref> [[Nicholas Stern]], vice-president of the [[World Bank]], has published defences of the poverty reduction statistics. He argues that increasing globalisation and investment opportunities have contributed significantly to the reduction of poverty in the country. India, has shown one of the clearest co-relation trends of globalisation with the accelerated rise in per-capita income.<ref>[http://www1.worldbank.org/economicpolicy/globalization/documents/ICRIER_4.pdf Globalization, the Investment Climate, and Poverty Reduction, World Bank] ICRIER</ref><ref>[http://www.apdip.net/projects/rhdr/rhdr-india.pdf Technology for Poverty Reduction] UNDP</ref>

====Infrastructure====
Basic infrastructure in India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/02/india_infrastru.html|title=Economist's View|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> such as roads, power grid, water, communications infrastructure, housing and education are often below standards, and not catching up with the tune of its economic progress.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_05/b3918023.htm India: A Nation Of Dropouts] Business Week Magazine</ref> Continued poor infrastructure might serve as a bottleneck to further economic development. The [[2012 India blackouts]], which affected millions, was a result of such problems. The government is, however, improving the infrastructure, such as expanding the [[Indian highways|freeway and highway system]] and bringing it up to global standards. As of 2005, India only had 8,811.5&nbsp;km of expressways,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040316105632/http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/04/stories/2004020402270300.htm 15,766 km. of expressway needed to ease traffic hold-ups] The Hindu. Retrieved 3 December 2006.</ref> while the U.S. and China have 95,932&nbsp;km and 149,600&nbsp;km of expressways, respectively. Even so, India has more than 
151,000 km of National Highways and the world's second largest road network, being only behind the US. <ref>[http://english.sina.com/china/1/2006/0404/71800.html Expressways being built at frenetic pace] Retrieved 3 December 2006.</ref>

====Inflation and overheating====
Despite India's growth spurt of 8% p.a. in recent years, its sustainable pace is still much lower than China's, which puts its economy more at risk of overheating and rising inflation.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8326793 India's economy - Too hot to handle] Economist, 23 November 2006</ref> The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has acknowledged the risk of overheating and has been tightening monetary policy steadily. It is debatable whether this alone will be sufficient to ease inflationary pressures. The economy is running near or above capacity, and the RBI has noted that production must rise at a pace sufficient to match overall GDP growth if further inflationary pressures are to be avoided.  The Indian government has said that much of the rise in inflation recently can be attributed to short-term supply constraints, such as a shortage of key foodstuffs thanks to an erratic summer monsoon.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8374809 India's blossoming economy] Economist Intelligence Unit Briefing</ref>

[[Image:KolkiwadiDam.jpg|thumb|250px|Dams like the [[Kolkewadi Dam]] have mitigated [[Electricity in India|India's power]] needs.]]

====Energy dependence and costs====
India heavily depends on foreign oil - a phenomenon likely to continue until non-fossil/renewable energy technology becomes economically viable in the country.<ref>[http://www.asia-studies.com/asia/Lowy/analysis/Hordern,%20Indias%20energy%20needs%20final%20rev%20v2.pdf India's energy needs] Lowy Institute</ref> To avert an energy crisis, India is desperately seeking alternate means of energy. India can sustain its growth to higher trajectories only by the co-operation of other countries. As for now, India is energetically expensive since India has to import over 70% of its energy,<ref>[http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=358 INDIA'S ENERGY FUTURE] Ecoworld</ref> thus making costs of comforts - like personal car or even air conditioning - extremely high. It is however, steadily combating its energy issues.

====Unemployment====
Unless India finds a quick way to generate jobs, its population of unemployed youths could be a reason for instability.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Jo|date=16 November 2006|title=Engaging India: Demographic dividend or disaster?|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cd516aa8-749a-11db-bc76-0000779e2340.html|work=Financial Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813205706/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cd516aa8-749a-11db-bc76-0000779e2340.html|archive-date=13 August 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> India's growth in the services sector and [[Information Technology]] sector has not been matched by growth in manufacturing which can provide more jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/04/stories/2006020400320300.htm|title=Growth in manufacturing sector key to generating employment|work=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>  Some claim that this sector may lose importance in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/Comment/DickMorris/110906.html|title=''Look out world, here come's booming India'' by Dick Morris|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> India is leveraging on new sectors like the KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.global-innovation.net/projects/grd/india/index.html|title=Global Innovation: A Research Project of TIM @ TUHH|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/|title=Business News: Business News Today, Live Business News, Financial News India, Latest Business News|website=The Financial Express}}</ref>

The unemployment rate in February 2017 was claimed to be around halved to 4.8% against 9.5% estimates at August 2016.<ref>http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/good-news-unemployment-rate-falls-on-narendra-modi-govts-rural-infrastructure-drive/573680/</ref>

====Health====
India's health scenario is dismal with diseases and malnutrition constantly affecting the poorest quarter of the populace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=health&id=47798&callid=1|title=NDTV.com|work=www.ndtv.com|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/mar102005/683.pdf|title=Arsenic poisoning|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Mortality is still relatively high and the bane of [[AIDS]] is spreading quickly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avert.org/aidsindia.htm|title=HIV & AIDS in India|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> According to a report of United Nations Development Programme, India has the [[List of countries by HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate|3rd highest population living with AIDS/HIV]] and its economy might suffer a setback if it does not check the problem of the virus' spread. It is estimated that India's economic growth will decline by 0.86 percentage annually if the AIDS problem is not properly dealt with. To improve the situation, a number of projects such as the building of hospital chains (like the [[Apollo Hospitals]], amongst others) has laid the foundation for a health system that matches global standards. However, these hospitals are sometimes used by foreigners as a cheap yet effective source of health services and much remains to be done for India's very poor.

[[File:Literacy India 1901 2011 Detail.png|right|thumb|250px|Literacy in India grew very slowly until independence in 1947. An acceleration in the rate of literacy growth occurred in the 1991–2001 period.]]

====Low literacy====
As per the 2011 India census, [[Literacy in India|India's national literacy]] is only 74.04% (2011).<ref>[http://www1.uni-hamburg.de/UNESCO-UIE/literacyexchange/india/indiadata.htm Literacy Facts] University of Hamburg</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/maps/literacy.html|title=Literacy, Indian Census|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Literacy drive is spreading slowly to other states.<ref>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2005/06/wu.htm The Quiet Revolution] IMF</ref> India's youth (age 15 to 24) literacy rate was 76.4% between 2000 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/population-health/variable-499.html|title=What We Do|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>  At current rates India will take no less than 20 years for a literacy of 95%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/special/india/mg18524876.800|title=India special, New Scientist|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Literacy in India is not homogeneous, some states in India have higher literacy rates than others. [[Kerala]], a south-Indian state widely recognised as the most well-educated state in India, recorded a literacy rate of 93.9% in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/education/status.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726215318/http://www.kerala.gov.in/education/status.htm|url-status=dead|title=Kerala literacy|archive-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> On the other hand, the north-Indian state of [[Bihar]] lags behind with 63.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/CensusStats-03.htm|title=Census Statistics for Bihar|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-date=24 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524094302/http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/CensusStats-03.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>  India's adult literacy rates (61.3% in 2002), is just a little better compared to other nations in South Asia except [[Sri Lanka]]'s 62%,<ref>''Economic Survey 2004-05'', Economic Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, quoting UNDP Human Development Report 2004.</ref> with Nepal next at 44%, Pakistan at 41.5% and Bangladesh the lowest at 41.1%.

====Climate and environmental problems====
The majority of India lies in the [[tropical]] climate zone, which may have a negative impact on its agricultural and overall economic development.  The climate thesis of economic development was first argued by [[Adam Smith]] and recently by [[David Landes]] in his ''The Wealth and Poverty of Nations''. Tropical areas generally average enough rainfall, but the timing is often irregular and unpredictable. The rain drops are large and the rate of fall often torrential. One answer to irregular moisture is storage and irrigation, but this is countered in these regions by incredibly high rates of evaporation. In the [[Agra]] region of India, for example, rainfall exceeds the needs of local agriculture for only two months in the year, and the excess held in the soil in those wet months dries up in only three weeks.<ref>[http://www2.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring99/wealthpoverty.htm The Wealth and Poverty of Nations] by David Landes, Chapter 1.</ref>  Tropical zones are also more prone to endemic water-borne and parasitic diseases such as [[cholera]] and [[malaria]].<ref>[http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidinthenews/articles/Sciam_0301_article.html The Geography of Poverty and Wealth] Harvard</ref> As a result of climate change, the [[Gangotri Glacier]], among others, is receding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/10/09/stories/2005100900130200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001001640/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/10/09/stories/2005100900130200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Magazine / Environment : The Ganga could run dry ...|date=2005-10-09|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020605083503/http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/2002/200205299370.html DECLINE OF WORLD'S GLACIERS]</ref> Also, of the 3 million premature deaths in the world that occur each year due to outdoor and indoor air pollution, the highest number are assessed to occur in India.<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/indiaenv.html  ''India's Environmental Issues''] EIA</ref>

===Social issues===
{{See also|Reservations in India}}

====[[Communalism|Communal violence]]====
India has a diverse mix of various [[religion]]s and [[ethnicity|races]]. The majority are [[Hindu]]s by religion, followed by [[Muslim]]s, [[Sikh]]s, [[Christians]], [[Jain]]s, [[Buddhist]]s, [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼís]] and many more. Though most religions in India have been practising religious tolerance in their histories, the partition and subsequent terrorism had created some degree of uneasiness among some.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week538/cover.html|title=Hindu-Muslim Conflict in India|work=Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly|date=24 May 2002|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/rt_india.htm|title=Religious intolerance in India|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1511 "Diversity" In India] Capitalism magazine</ref> However, in recent years, relations between the different religious groups have considerably changed for better. For instance, a real chunk of India's celebrities - sporting legends, film stars, industrialists, artists, politicians, scientists, head-of-state, etc. - have come from various non-majority roots, representing the true diversity of India.<ref>[http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2005/16-28feb05-Print-Edition/162802200544.htm Indian Muslim image is transforming] Milli Gazette</ref>

====Social divide====
The problem of India's social divide is often linked to its centuries-old [[Indian caste system|caste system]].<ref>[http://www.ambedkar.org/News/hl/Castesystem.htm Caste system main barrier to India's IT superpower ambitions?] Express India</ref> In an attempt to eliminate the caste system, the Indian government has introduced special [[Reservations in India|quota]]s for low-caste Indians in educational institutions and jobs. The measure is with the motive of helping lower-caste Indians to pursue higher education and thereby elevate their standard of life. However, the system is often criticised about its effectiveness as so called creamy layer (rich among the lower caste) get non-needed advantage & leave other lower caste groups poor.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4998274.stm Furore reflects India's caste complexities] BBC News</ref><ref>[http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/4672.asp World Bank warning India] India Daily</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|India}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Indosphere]]
* [[Economy of India]]
* [[Culture of India]]
* [[Foreign relations of India]]
* [[Tourism in India]]
* [[Military of India]]
* [[History of India]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*[https://www.newscientist.com/special/india India: The next knowledge superpower]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/29/business/worldbusiness/30rupeecnd.html?ex=1169442000&en=6d7201b8d33ca374&ei=5070 India Economy grows at torrid pace] - [[New York Times]]
*[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/07/stories/2005120702530200.htm Indian economy on take-off stage with demographic bonus]
*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1205374,00.html India Awakens by Michael Elliott (Time.com)]
*[http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/0,13005,901060313-1169874,00.html The New India, and the Old One]
*[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/01/eveningnews/main1361812.shtml India's Economic Contrasts]
*[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_34/b3948401.htm A New World Economy by Businessweek]
*[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/toc/05_34/B3948chinaindia.htm China and India by Businessweek]
*India: Emerging Power by [[Stephen P. Cohen]] ({{ISBN|0-8157-1501-3}})
*[[India 2020]] by [[Abdul Kalam|A.P.J. Abdul Kalam]], Y.S. Rajan ({{ISBN|0-14-027833-8}})
*India as an Emerging Power by Sumit Ganguly ({{ISBN|0-7146-8321-3}})
*[http://www.bduniya.com/indian-economy-15-years-from-now/ Indian Economy: Can India become the next Financial Power?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014165234/http://www.bduniya.com/indian-economy-15-years-from-now/ |date=14 October 2017 }}

==External links==

===Articles===
*[http://hdr.undp.org/docs/publications/background_papers/2003/India/India_2003.pdf India: Towards the Millennium Development Goals, UN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909163718/http://hdr.undp.org/docs/publications/background_papers/2003/India/India_2003.pdf |date=9 September 2006 }}
*[https://www.cia.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_s2.html The Changing Geopolitical Landscape by National Intelligence Council]
*[http://www.wfs.org/confprcetron.htm Prospects for China and India in the 21st Century, Marvin Cetron, World future Society Conference, 2004.]
*[http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2006/01/11/ China and India Hold World in Balance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201162942/http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2006/01/11/ |date=1 December 2008 }}
*[http://www.weforum.org/site/homepublic.nsf/Content/Report+India+2005+-+India+and+World India and the World: Balancing Agenda]
*[https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pubfiles/India_webFINALsml_1.pdf India: the Next Economic Giant, 2004, By Lowy Institute, Australia.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060328182554/http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/ Newsweek Coverpage on India]
*[http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/economicsunbound/archives/2005/11/india_as_number_1.html Businessweek on India's attractiveness]
*[http://www.asian-nation.org/demographics.shtml Socioeconomic statistics and demographics of Asians in America]
*[http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=10193 New World-Order Paradigm: The Best of the West Agrees It's Moving East] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205104122/http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=10193 |date=5 February 2012 }}
*[https://archive.today/20061116091900/http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=157&story_id=25741&name=Relocating+to+India Relocating to India]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060720072045/http://www.cfr.org/publication/9962/  India, China, and the United States: A Delicate Balance]
*[http://www.indiarnd2005.com/globalr&d/changing_R&D/news5.htm Made for India]
*[https://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/futureinvest/2369 China and India - The Future of Investors]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060601222035/http://www.econstrat.org/blog/?p=35 A Race to the Future]
*[http://www.the-week.com/23dec28/cover.htm Indians on India Vision]
*[http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/review/rvwsf06_bloom.html What's Behind Asia's Gold Rush? A Health and Demographic analysis by Harvard School of Public Health]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070211190612/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2219/stories/20050923002109200.htm Is India a science superpower?]
*[http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6407 China, India Superpower - Not so fast.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030629230616/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EF27Df04.html Why India lags behind China]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060118095920/http://www.flonnet.com/fl2301/stories/20060127004010500.htm Does demography advantage India?]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070325193235/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article352380.ece The end of Gandhi's dream: India's economic boom and bust]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060721052704/http://scid.stanford.edu/events/PanAsia/Papers/Bloom.pdf Why Has China's Economy Taken Off Faster than India's?] A Research Paper by Harvard and Tsingua University faculties, presented at Stanford Center for International Development
*[http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/sep/27china.htm India is China's economic equal? Bah!]

===Books===
*[http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/worldisflat.htm The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century Thomas L. Friedman]
*[http://www.cceia.org/viewMedia.php/prmTemplateID/8/prmID/5170 Three Billion New Capitalists by Clyde Prestowitz]
*[http://www.cato.org/events/020422bf.html India Unbound: The Social and Economic Revolution from Independence to the Global Information Age] by [[Gurcharan Das]] ({{ISBN|0-385-72074-2}})
*[http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470821949.html India: An Investor's Guide to the Next Economic Superpower by Aaron Chaze]
*[https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no33605.htm Social Problems in India/B.K. Prasad] 
*Energy Crisis in India by M. G. Mehetre

===Media===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120328051336/http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/266 World is Flat, T. Friedman], Colloquium Recording at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/Economy/200601300017 One Land, two planets] (listen)

===Websites===
*[http://www.india-rising.com An information portal on India's rising status]

{{International_power}}

[[Category:Futures studies]]
[[Category:21st century]]
[[Category:Superpowers]]
[[Category:Military terminology]]