Can India become a great power?

by Idéfix Tue Apr 02, 2013 12:21 am

This week's issue of Economist has some good coverage of India. It raises the question of India's strategic depth. The conclusions are disturbing and thought-provoking.

Can India become a great power? 20130330_FBC338

Can India become a great power? 20130330_FBC338

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21574511-indias-lack-strategic-culture-hobbles-its-ambition-be-force-world-can-india
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21574458-india-poised-become-one-four-largest-military-powers-world-end

by truthbetold Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:19 am

My two cents. Becoming a great power by following a powerful leader who is brutal and focused is not on cards as india is too diverse and too needy. Only event in free indian history where the nation acted effectively was in the liberation of east pakistan.
The alternate path to great power is democratic way of developing economic strength and human development. Here india cannot get its act together to create enough wealth or to properly distribute wealth to improve human development. Indian record of building and sustaining national institutions to help ordinary citizen live decent and dignified life is poor.
India will grow but is yet to show signs of greatness.

by Guest Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:14 am

Didn't read the link. But on related topic, seems like India does do a lot of self hype within India. Always has. K (who is in India currently) was telling me that the word now is that by 2050, the biggest 3 would be China, India, and US in that order. So he was like, 'Maybe we all should move back'. Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I remember when we were kids we would hear US, Russia, and India in that order. Russia is not even on the map now.

by Jeremiah Mburuburu Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:36 am

truthbetold wrote:My two cents. Becoming a great power by following a powerful leader who is brutal and focused is not on cards as india is too diverse and too needy. Only event in free indian history where the nation acted effectively was in the liberation of east pakistan.

The alternate path to great power is democratic way of developing economic strength and human development. Here india cannot get its act together to create enough wealth or to properly distribute wealth to improve human development. Indian record of building and sustaining national institutions to help ordinary citizen live decent and dignified life is poor.
India will grow but is yet to show signs of greatness.

what did you do now, tbt? shuffle and randomly put together words and phrases - "wealth creation," "human development," etc. - that are popular in the media, and hope that your post would make sense and elicit pressulu's admiration?

by Propagandhi711 Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:58 am

Vidya Bagchi wrote:Didn't read the link. But on related topic, seems like India does do a lot of self hype within India. Always has. K (who is in India currently) was telling me that the word now is that by 2050, the biggest 3 would be China, India, and US in that order. So he was like, 'Maybe we all should move back'. Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I remember when we were kids we would hear US, Russia, and India in that order. Russia is not even on the map now.

what was sonny like and what were you like?

by Merlot Daruwala Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:04 am

Vidya Bagchi wrote:Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I had no idea there were Starbucks drivethroughs. Is this a new development? Never saw one in Boston.

by Guest Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:14 am

Merlot Daruwala wrote:
Vidya Bagchi wrote:Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I had no idea there were Starbucks drivethroughs. Is this a new development? Never saw one in Boston.

Seeing them for at least last 8 years now. Guess the ones that can make it a drive through do so.

by Kris Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:32 am

Merlot Daruwala wrote:
Vidya Bagchi wrote:Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I had no idea there were Starbucks drivethroughs. Is this a new development? Never saw one in Boston.

>>>Oh, they have been around, but you don't see them that much. The very first one I went to was a drive-thru when I had read about the exotic chai tea latte with the hype about the recipe coming straight from the himalayan foothills etc etc.

by Kris Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:40 am

truthbetold wrote:My two cents. Becoming a great power by following a powerful leader who is brutal and focused is not on cards as india is too diverse and too needy. Only event in free indian history where the nation acted effectively was in the liberation of east pakistan.
The alternate path to great power is democratic way of developing economic strength and human development. Here india cannot get its act together to create enough wealth or to properly distribute wealth to improve human development. Indian record of building and sustaining national institutions to help ordinary citizen live decent and dignified life is poor.
India will grow but is yet to show signs of greatness.

>>>>India will become a greater power than now on the basis of its market size and the fact that it is a functioning democracy. It does not aspire to be a military power and cannot get to first world standards in terms of flow of wealth to all rungs of its society. With free markets, there will be a betterment of living standards though within a decade or two. That's about it.

by Hellsangel Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:48 am

Merlot Daruwala wrote:
Vidya Bagchi wrote:Daughter was like, 'sorry, no drive through Starbucks there yet'.

I had no idea there were Starbucks drivethroughs. Is this a new development? Never saw one in Boston.

You should dig yourself out of the big dig from time to time. The urban ones don't have much room for a drive through.

by truthbetold Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:57 am

Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:
truthbetold wrote:My two cents. Becoming a great power by following a powerful leader who is brutal and focused is not on cards as india is too diverse and too needy. Only event in free indian history where the nation acted effectively was in the liberation of east pakistan.

The alternate path to great power is democratic way of developing economic strength and human development. Here india cannot get its act together to create enough wealth or to properly distribute wealth to improve human development. Indian record of building and sustaining national institutions to help ordinary citizen live decent and dignified life is poor.
India will grow but is yet to show signs of greatness.
what did you do now, tbt? shuffle and randomly put together words and phrases - "wealth creation," "human development," etc. - that are popular in the media, and hope that your post would make sense and elicit pressulu's admiration?

jm,
that is a complex subject for a 24hr lurker in shadows. talk to your d, she may have the time to explain.
now time to go back to your shadows to do more lurking.

by truthbetold Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:01 am

vb,
i am surprised too. i have not seen a drive through Starbucks in ct or mn or in other places. isn't Starbucks a place for snotty types to sitdown and lookdown upon rest of the unfortunate beings.

by Jeremiah Mburuburu Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:08 am

Kris wrote:
truthbetold wrote:My two cents. Becoming a great power by following a powerful leader who is brutal and focused is not on cards as india is too diverse and too needy. Only event in free indian history where the nation acted effectively was in the liberation of east pakistan.
The alternate path to great power is democratic way of developing economic strength and human development. Here india cannot get its act together to create enough wealth or to properly distribute wealth to improve human development. Indian record of building and sustaining national institutions to help ordinary citizen live decent and dignified life is poor.
India will grow but is yet to show signs of greatness.

>>>>India will become a greater power than now on the basis of its market size and the fact that it is a functioning democracy. It does not aspire to be a military power and cannot get to first world standards in terms of flow of wealth to all rungs of its society. With free markets, there will be a betterment of living standards though within a decade or two. That's about it.

the youthful people of india have tasted the fruits of free markets, capitalism, and democracy. old politicians who are barriers to any of that will be ejected. there's enormous momentum in 1.2 billion free and democratic people aspiring to a higher standard of living. india will become a great power.

i had browsed the article in the economist, and was disappointed by it, esp that by "great power," it had meant "great military power."

by Idéfix Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:37 am

India will no doubt become one of the world's three largest economies in short order. It already is when GDP is compared on purchasing-power parity basis, and it will get there in a few years in nominal terms. But economic strength alone does not make a country a great power. To be a great power, a country needs several aspects of power: economic, military, diplomatic, and soft power. India falls short on military and diplomatic aspects, while it already makes the bar on economic and soft power.

Indians cannot consider their country a great power when the world's multilateral institutions do not recognize it as such: permanent membership of the UNSC, recognition in military technology regimes like NPT and MTCR, recognition in institutions like WTO, IMF and the World Bank, etc. Many of those things might happen in the next 1-2 decades, and that will increase India's diplomatic power.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:23 pm

trofimov wrote:India will no doubt become one of the world's three largest economies in short order. It already is when GDP is compared on purchasing-power parity basis, and it will get there in a few years in nominal terms. But economic strength alone does not make a country a great power. To be a great power, a country needs several aspects of power: economic, military, diplomatic, and soft power. India falls short on military and diplomatic aspects, while it already makes the bar on economic and soft power.

Indians cannot consider their country a great power when the world's multilateral institutions do not recognize it as such: permanent membership of the UNSC, recognition in military technology regimes like NPT and MTCR, recognition in institutions like WTO, IMF and the World Bank, etc. Many of those things might happen in the next 1-2 decades, and that will increase India's diplomatic power.

India can become a great power IF fukularism, corruption and self-deprecation are eradicated. May be something similar to what Mao did in China can be done - disperse all CONartists across the country and make them plough the land for minimum wage (according to Ahluwalia).

by Impedimenta Tue Apr 02, 2013 3:06 pm

Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
trofimov wrote:India will no doubt become one of the world's three largest economies in short order. It already is when GDP is compared on purchasing-power parity basis, and it will get there in a few years in nominal terms. But economic strength alone does not make a country a great power. To be a great power, a country needs several aspects of power: economic, military, diplomatic, and soft power. India falls short on military and diplomatic aspects, while it already makes the bar on economic and soft power.

Indians cannot consider their country a great power when the world's multilateral institutions do not recognize it as such: permanent membership of the UNSC, recognition in military technology regimes like NPT and MTCR, recognition in institutions like WTO, IMF and the World Bank, etc. Many of those things might happen in the next 1-2 decades, and that will increase India's diplomatic power.

India can become a great power IF fukularism, corruption and self-deprecation are eradicated. May be something similar to what Mao did in China can be done - disperse all CONartists across the country and make them plough the land for minimum wage (according to Ahluwalia).

aiyoo, kadavule, what is fukularism?

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:18 pm

Impedimenta wrote:
Vakavaka Pakapaka wrote:
trofimov wrote:India will no doubt become one of the world's three largest economies in short order. It already is when GDP is compared on purchasing-power parity basis, and it will get there in a few years in nominal terms. But economic strength alone does not make a country a great power. To be a great power, a country needs several aspects of power: economic, military, diplomatic, and soft power. India falls short on military and diplomatic aspects, while it already makes the bar on economic and soft power.

Indians cannot consider their country a great power when the world's multilateral institutions do not recognize it as such: permanent membership of the UNSC, recognition in military technology regimes like NPT and MTCR, recognition in institutions like WTO, IMF and the World Bank, etc. Many of those things might happen in the next 1-2 decades, and that will increase India's diplomatic power.

India can become a great power IF fukularism, corruption and self-deprecation are eradicated. May be something similar to what Mao did in China can be done - disperse all CONartists across the country and make them plough the land for minimum wage (according to Ahluwalia).

aiyoo, kadavule, what is fukularism?

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:31 pm

trofimov wrote:This week's issue of Economist has some good coverage of India. It raises the question of India's strategic depth. The conclusions are disturbing and thought-provoking.

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21574511-indias-lack-strategic-culture-hobbles-its-ambition-be-force-world-can-india
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21574458-india-poised-become-one-four-largest-military-powers-world-end

What is the definition for World "power?" Is it military- based (The Soviets were a great power - but, how can a great power break up?), economics ? - Japan ???; peaceful nation and prosperous? - Swiss?

There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

If India can provide basic human needs - including truly fundamental rights, able to take care of the unfortunate and the weakest, ensure peaceful boundaries with respectful neighbors, then it can be called a great power.

by truthbetold Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:38 pm

Some of you seem to think gdp growth equals power. Gdp growth is also not a trend line that is always up. Present assessment of india is positive growth for one or two decades.

But indian institutions including parliament are fragile. That weakness may cause economic upheavels such as in argentina or mexican melt down. Worst case scenario india can lose direction with external aggression and internal strife.

Pre mature super power status only results in trouble for india. Too many responsibilities and not many economic benefits.

by Idéfix Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:39 pm

I think a good working definition of "great power" would be a country that has global influence and power. This was true of Britain and France in the first half of the 20th century, and of the US and the USSR in the second half. It is now true of the US, China, the EU and to a lesser extent, Japan.

For most of history, power has meant military power, period. It is only the 20th century that brought in the concept of economic power decoupled from military power, thanks to Germany and Japan post-WWII. But Japan is actively re-arming itself to face up to China, and Germany is part of broader security alliances with its neighbors that give it some military power, and it has been pushing for strengthening the military power of EU that it is the de facto leader of.

by Idéfix Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:49 pm

truthbetold wrote:Worst case scenario india can lose direction with external aggression and internal strife.

I have more faith in the institutions of India than I do in the institutions of the People's Republic. My worst-case scenario is this: economic growth falters in China, and the government resorts to the usual nationalistic jingoism it always turns to when in trouble. The government needs a big victory somewhere. America dares them not to touch Taiwan, and backs up threats with economic carrots. The leadership decides to go across the border in Arunachal Pradesh in the middle of winter. Indian Army will likely be routed and can't be easily resupplied, because we don't have a railway line there, and we have just one major road in the state. China has been building thousands of miles of all-year roads and railway lines to and within Tibet. The Chinese don't even need to take all the airstrips to cut off India's resupply routes: they just need to render those airstrips useless and take the road.

If the mighty Indian Army -- as it is perceived in India -- were to suffer a second defeat to the Chinese, India's centrifugal forces at the margins will pick up a lot of strength, and will lead to unrest like we have not seen since independence.

by truthbetold Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:07 pm

trofimov wrote:
truthbetold wrote:Worst case scenario india can lose direction with external aggression and internal strife.
I have more faith in the institutions of India than I do in the institutions of the People's Republic. .

better than china's institutions is not much of a comfort.
for china, the trouble may come from regional imbalance and internal political dissatisfaction. Right now they are riding high.
for india, it is still the failure to provide badic needs of more than 50% of people. Political class could ignite that group through their irresponsible behaviour.
China has lot more organization and money. India has far more safety valves because of its democratic safety.

by Captain Bhankas Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:18 am

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

by Propagandhi711 Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:35 am

Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

uppili knows it a l l.

by Guest Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:27 am

Propagandhi711 wrote:
Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

uppili knows it a l l.

yeah, be it cars, used cars, plumbing, world economics, medicines and diseases, race, love and break ups, religion, colleges (he even gets invited to chat to be the chief speaker when it comes to college education), plumbing, aeroplanes, insurance, indian politics, US politics and plumbing.

by Hellsangel Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:39 am

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:24 pm

Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

Military: US could not win its war in Vietnam; could not get rid of Iranian Govt over 30 yrs; Could not win in Afghanistan in 15 years; Could not do much in Syria, Could not bring lasting peace in MidEast; Yeah rite super power...now even the North Koreans area challenging US.

Drones?...the only reason people hear about Drone and fear US drone is only US is using it in a war right now.

Economics: US owes some 15+ trillion $ with about 7$ trillion to the world.

Education: Foreigners used to come to US and UK wonly - but now they can go to UK, Australia, Japan, and heck even China these days.

Space Program: Rite... Ask any NASA guy - if you know how it was and how it is NOW.

Sports: Can you name 5 top tennis players in US today ? Tracks - not as dominant as they used to be and now Kenyans and the Jamaicans are beating the crap out of the US athletes in many areas.

Human Rights? Just look at your own statement...you are indirectly saying that I should not complain about US sitting in US.... that is the statement/view of the rednecks and unfortunately a fashion statement for the FoBs. So much for human rights.

To say US is the Great power is like Saamiyaar is a great guy.... Razz

US is a powerful country and still more powerful than most but not great power in the context the Brits were viewed in the 19th century, the Ottomon or the Roman empires.

by Guest Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:29 pm

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:US is a powerful country and still more powerful than most but not great power in the context the Brits were viewed in the 19th century, the Ottomon or the Roman empires.

what?? you are comparing US with romans and ottomans who ruled small swathes. your analogy with the brits is right. the only other comparison can be made is with soviet russia! go back to plumbing uppili.

by Propagandhi711 Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:46 pm

Huzefa Kapasi wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

uppili knows it a l l.
yeah, be it cars, used cars, plumbing, world economics, medicines and diseases, race, love and break ups, religion, colleges (he even gets invited to chat to be the chief speaker when it comes to college education), plumbing, aeroplanes, insurance, indian politics, US politics and plumbing.

dont forget his chief designation as pussy doctor

by Propagandhi711 Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:47 pm

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

Military: US could not win its war in Vietnam; could not get rid of Iranian Govt over 30 yrs; Could not win in Afghanistan in 15 years; Could not do much in Syria, Could not bring lasting peace in MidEast; Yeah rite super power...now even the North Koreans area challenging US.

Drones?...the only reason people hear about Drone and fear US drone is only US is using it in a war right now.

Economics: US owes some 15+ trillion $ with about 7$ trillion to the world.

Education: Foreigners used to come to US and UK wonly - but now they can go to UK, Australia, Japan, and heck even China these days.

Space Program: Rite... Ask any NASA guy - if you know how it was and how it is NOW.

Sports: Can you name 5 top tennis players in US today ? Tracks - not as dominant as they used to be and now Kenyans and the Jamaicans are beating the crap out of the US athletes in many areas.

Human Rights? Just look at your own statement...you are indirectly saying that I should not complain about US sitting in US.... that is the statement/view of the rednecks and unfortunately a fashion statement for the FoBs. So much for human rights.

To say US is the Great power is like Saamiyaar is a great guy....

US is a powerful country and still more powerful than most but not great power in the context the Brits were viewed in the 19th century, the Ottomon or the Roman empires.

conclusion: uppili is not impressed with the US.

as usual he's right except when he's joking which might or might not be anytime.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:15 pm

Propagandhi711 wrote:
Huzefa Kapasi wrote:
Propagandhi711 wrote:
Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
There is no truly great power today - except in people's minds as they see it.

i think there is. USA. economy? A. Military? A++. Education? A+. Space program? A++. Sports? A+. Healthcare? A. Human rights? A+++. Ability to p!ss in someone else's yard nonchalantly? A++++.

american passport and dollar are respected everywhere and american drone is feared everywhere. that's the sign of a great power.

uppili knows it a l l.
yeah, be it cars, used cars, plumbing, world economics, medicines and diseases, race, love and break ups, religion, colleges (he even gets invited to chat to be the chief speaker when it comes to college education), plumbing, aeroplanes, insurance, indian politics, US politics and plumbing.

dont forget his chief designation as pussy doctor

Think I should start a Radio Talk show - "Anything and Everything" Wonder if I can syndicate that show.

by indophile Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:00 pm

DOE stats on India energy.
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=10611&src=email

by Captain Bhankas Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:34 am

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:Military: US could not win its war in Vietnam; could not get rid of Iranian Govt over 30 yrs; Could not win in Afghanistan in 15 years; Could not do much in Syria, Could not bring lasting peace in MidEast; Yeah rite super power...now even the North Koreans area challenging US.

Drones?...the only reason people hear about Drone and fear US drone is only US is using it in a war right now.

Economics: US owes some 15+ trillion $ with about 7$ trillion to the world.

Education: Foreigners used to come to US and UK wonly - but now they can go to UK, Australia, Japan, and heck even China these days.

Space Program: Rite... Ask any NASA guy - if you know how it was and how it is NOW.

Sports: Can you name 5 top tennis players in US today ? Tracks - not as dominant as they used to be and now Kenyans and the Jamaicans are beating the crap out of the US athletes in many areas.

Human Rights? Just look at your own statement...you are indirectly saying that I should not complain about US sitting in US.... that is the statement/view of the rednecks and unfortunately a fashion statement for the FoBs. So much for human rights.

To say US is the Great power is like Saamiyaar is a great guy....

US is a powerful country and still more powerful than most but not great power in the context the Brits were viewed in the 19th century, the Ottomon or the Roman empires.

saar! i said USA is a great power, not god. even though they have their failures, they have done and are capable to do much more than any other country.

if US economy is so bad, explain why US dollar is still the most valued currency and why it has been so for as long as even you can remember.

are you serious that american space program is not ahead of others? tell me which other country can fund and execute audacious space programs such as mars missions.

do you think students will go for a chinese or australian university over yale and harvard if they have a choice?

as for sports, look at the medal tally for the last olympics and the one before that.

and i must conclude that you are indeed joking about your human rights statement. when did *I* say you should not complain? and why should what i say matter? does US not let you complain? does it not give you freedom of religion and speech? no no, you MUST be joking.

by Uppili Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:43 am

Captain Bhankas wrote:
Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:Military: US could not win its war in Vietnam; could not get rid of Iranian Govt over 30 yrs; Could not win in Afghanistan in 15 years; Could not do much in Syria, Could not bring lasting peace in MidEast; Yeah rite super power...now even the North Koreans area challenging US.

Drones?...the only reason people hear about Drone and fear US drone is only US is using it in a war right now.

Economics: US owes some 15+ trillion $ with about 7$ trillion to the world.

Education: Foreigners used to come to US and UK wonly - but now they can go to UK, Australia, Japan, and heck even China these days.

Space Program: Rite... Ask any NASA guy - if you know how it was and how it is NOW.

Sports: Can you name 5 top tennis players in US today ? Tracks - not as dominant as they used to be and now Kenyans and the Jamaicans are beating the crap out of the US athletes in many areas.

Human Rights? Just look at your own statement...you are indirectly saying that I should not complain about US sitting in US.... that is the statement/view of the rednecks and unfortunately a fashion statement for the FoBs. So much for human rights.

To say US is the Great power is like Saamiyaar is a great guy....

US is a powerful country and still more powerful than most but not great power in the context the Brits were viewed in the 19th century, the Ottomon or the Roman empires.

saar! i said USA is a great power, not god. even though they have their failures, they have done and are capable to do much more than any other country.

if US economy is so bad, explain why US dollar is still the most valued currency and why it has been so for as long as even you can remember.

are you serious that american space program is not ahead of others? tell me which other country can fund and execute audacious space programs such as mars missions.

do you think students will go for a chinese or australian university over yale and harvard if they have a choice?

as for sports, look at the medal tally for the last olympics and the one before that.

and i must conclude that you are indeed joking about your human rights statement. when did *I* say you should not complain? and why should what i say matter? does US not let you complain? does it not give you freedom of religion and speech? no no, you MUST be joking.

I agree with everything you say...but still I dont call US a "Great" Power bcz my expectations and standards for a "Great" power are much higher.

What can I say, I am a very strict grader.....(I am the closest you can relate to Vasishtar).

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Re: Can India become a great power?

Re: Can India become a great power?

Re: Can India become a great power?

Re: Can India become a great power?

Re: Can India become a great power?