Thread by @ukshahi

Thread :
The rise of India as one of the principal poles in a multipolar world by mid to late 2020s is imminent.
PM @narendramodi talked about UN reforms last evening.
By 2027, India will overtake Japan & Germany to be the third largest global economy in the world.

Even if we consider Corona induced slowdown (slowdown is for the
whole world), our being the third largest global economy is imminent by 2028-29.
One more thing is imminent though many here will not like it. We'll be the largest population in next 4 years.ourworldindata.org/india-will-soo…

Indian influence on global geopolitics must be commensurate with Indian strength as largest democracy in the world with largest human population on the planet.
Besides having a strong govt & a robust economy, one of the pre-requisites to being a great power is military strength.

Moral power doesn't work in geopolitics. If you want to be heard, you have to wield a powerful stick with which you can punish if required.
We need to augment our military strength to make sure we achieve our place in the comity of nations and are able to defend our interests.

India must have its own robust military industrial complex manufacturing high quality military machines.
GOI's decision to ban imports of 100+ defence items in line with PM @narendramodi 's clarion call for Atma Nirbhar Bharat will help in realizing this goal and reduce imports.

What is key to our becoming a great power is how we tackle the expansionist China over next one decade or so. What is certain is that PRC is not a friend and can not see India's rise as a global power.
It will use every means at its disposal to sabotage India and her rise.

While the US did send a Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea, it is only India that has shown the steely resolve to stand up to CCP and match and even outmatch its PLA man to man and gun to gun at LAC. The world watched who tamed the global bully.

https://Twitter.com/ukshahi/status/1302553499167670272?s=19

In last few years, India has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, completed rural electrification, ensured free healthcare for poor families, made country almost ODF, constructed millions of houses for poor and is now providing free drinking water connections to millions.

Alleviating poverty, creating adequate employment opportunities, creating a robust healthcare, education and social security apparatus are important and are being accorded priority.
Let not our naysayers tell you these challenges can stop India's rise.
forbes.com/sites/niallmcc…

The UN will realize that, and if it doesn't it must be made to realize that the third largest economy in the world and the largest population of humanity on the planet can not be excluded from any permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) or any global high table.

G20 has already replaced the UN in a big way.
The UN will have to find a way to circumvent the veto from our Northern Neighbour, or it may have to examine what relevance it will have without the country having the largest human population and the third largest global economy.

In Asia having 60% of world population, there's only one P5 — a totalitarian state. Why not democracies like India (18% of global population) & Japan ?
No permanent member from Africa or South America ?
UNSC must reflect current world order and soon.
thehindu.com/news/internati…