India: Super Power or Not?

In the modern age, many would agree that China has developed into a world power but some also say that India is a super power or at least future super power. However, I believe that India still has a long way to go before reaching a super power status. India faces many difficult challenges in their process of becoming a super power and hasn't been able to rise above these challenges lately.

India may not be a super power now or the near future because of some fundamental issues it has that China does not. India’s large population can be a hindrance on its progress because India will have to deal with issues of poverty. The fact that India also has a growing population, unlike China, makes it more difficult to handle issues and stretches out resources. India, being a democracy, also does not have as a firm a control on their population as China does. India’s poverty rate is very high and their manufacturing and industry is not as high as China’s and doesn’t reflect that of a super power. India also has high levels of corruption that prevent it from reaching its full potential as a state.

Although India has quickly grown its industries, India will still need to harness some of their natural resources in order to grow the economy further. India’s economy is growing but it will probably not reach the levels predicted by some people and will most likely level off in the future. GDP growth in India reflects the large population and their high percentage growth is most likely because of the low starting GDP per capital.

According to realist paradigm, a regional hegemon must be the only state in its region with significant influence and should have the capability of influencing and dominating other countries in the region. However, India still faces a threat from Pakistan, another nuclear-weapon possessing state. In order to be a super power, a state should be a regional hegemon and only when India becomes a regional hegemon can it become a super power.

India’s issues with Pakistan can also be a hindrance to India’s progress. While China has not been in any major conflicts, India continues to be involved in the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.  War can hinder the Indian economy and continuous conflict with the neighbor can distract from growth. Because of the wars with Pakistan, India’s foreign policy hasn’t always been able to branch out into new parts of the world. India has yet exercised its influence in other parts of the world like China has. While China has been trying to gain influence in regions like Africa and Latin America, India’s influence has mostly been limited.

However, I believe that India has the potential to become a super power with its vast rich resources and huge population. The potential for a large economy and large military is very evident from seeing these resources and populations. For the most part, India’s democratic system, despite the corruption, will help it to reach levels of a super power. There will come a time when India can be considered a super power but in my opinion, that will come far down the road.