The President of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, characterized India's current position as being in a "honeymoon phase" regarding its economic growth and political influence, particularly in its relations with Europe and the US. Brende made these observations during his speech at the India Today Conclave 2024, where he discussed the nexus between a nation's economic prosperity and its global impact.
According to Brende, India faces significant challenges from its neighboring countries, but on the global stage, it enjoys a period of widespread favor and influence. He predicted that India's robust economic growth would bolster its political standing and afford it greater leverage in international affairs in the years ahead.
However, Carnegie India Director Rudra Chaudhuri countered Brende's characterization, highlighting the geopolitical hurdles India has faced in recent years. Chaudhuri cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a prime example, noting that it compelled India to reassess its resource diversification strategies and diplomatic relations.
Despite these challenges, Chaudhuri expressed optimism about India's future prospects, pointing to the opportunities the country has cultivated through its partnerships, particularly with the United States. He cited collaborations in cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and defense as examples of India's expanding role on the global stage.
Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation, echoed this sentiment, projecting a decade of growth and prosperity for India while acknowledging the accompanying scrutiny and criticism. Saran dismissed recent remarks by the US Ambassador regarding India's implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act as part of American political maneuvering.
Saran emphasized India's critical role in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in light of tensions with China. He noted that China's behavior has drawn attention to India's potential as a global leader and predicted that India-China relations would face turbulence in the coming years.
On the subject of India-US relations, Saran emphasized their transformational nature over the past two decades and predicted continued growth regardless of the outcome of the US presidential elections. He contrasted the nuanced approach of the US with Canada's more inflammatory rhetoric regarding the Khalistani issue, underscoring the strategic nature of India's partnership with the US.
