We often hear bold claims about India’s rising stature. There is the idea that we are on the path to becoming a “superpower.” It’s an attractive thought, one that feeds our pride. But let’s pause and ask: are we really there yet? The truth is sobering, and the time has come for some uncomfortable honesty.
Let’s start with the basics. Economically, we are not great. Yes, our GDP is climbing, and yes, India is a huge market. But size is not strength. Per capita income, wealth distribution, and job creation are crucial metrics. These metrics define true economic power. On these, we are still struggling. Compare this with countries like South Korea, which rebuilt itself after the war into a global technology hub within decades. We, on the other hand, are still battling unemployment and rural poverty on a massive scale.
Militarily, we have capacity, but to call ourselves a world power would be self-congratulation at best. True strength lies not just in weapons but in strategy, alliances, and global influence. The U.S. or China dictates global agendas. India, for all its growth, remains more of a participant than a shaper.
What about our civic achievements? Are our cities, villages, schools, hospitals, or governance models the envy of the world? Sadly, no. Internal civics remain one of our weakest points. Think about Bengaluru, our “Silicon Valley.” It powers the IT sector but struggles with crumbling infrastructure and water shortages. Or Delhi, the capital, is choking under pollution year after year with no effective long-term solution. Even Vietnam and Indonesia today have better cities, cleaner roads, and more functional pathways than we do. We, meanwhile, are creating substandard projects. And let’s be honest — no amount of building temples or mosques will make us a true, first-world, slick country. Our mindset of corrupt practices — the less said, the better.
Then comes the matter of innovation. Here our weaknesses glare the brightest. We boast of being an IT hub, but most of that is outsourced work, not homegrown breakthroughs. Where is the Indian equivalent of Apple, Tesla, or SpaceX? Even in cinema, Bollywood churns out volume, but how much of it sets global benchmarks in creativity? We are consumers of innovation, not creators. Without creativity, how do we lead the world?
Even when it comes to icons, our problem is the same. Take Ratan Tata. We love to praise him, put him on pedestals, and call him an “institution” in Indian business. But how many of us actually espouse the values he embodied — integrity, long-term vision, or job creation through enterprise? Almost no one. We pay lip service to leaders like him without absorbing their ethics or applying their discipline. We love the image, but avoid the hard work.
This is why the talk of India being a “superpower” in the next decade or two feels premature. At the current pace, it will take at least 50 years before we can realistically claim that word. To even dream of being a leader, we must first put our house in order. That means addressing corruption, mediocrity, and complacency at every level.
And before that, we must ask: who are we today? Often, we look back at our history. We think of the Mughals and the British. We remember centuries of invasions. We use that lens to define ourselves. Enough of that. Who cares who ruled us yesterday? The only thing that matters is who we are now.
And the truth is, today we are a mixed bag. Yes, there is brilliance — ISRO landing on the Moon, or entrepreneurs creating unicorns against all odds. But the nonsense far outweighs the good. Corruption, inefficiency, apathy — they are too widespread, too embedded in our systems.
If we want greatness, we must earn it. Not by chest-thumping or rewriting history, but by building a society where quality, creativity, and civic responsibility are non-negotiable. Only then will we truly deserve the title of “superpower.” And until then, let’s stop fooling ourselves. Right now, the world isn’t looking up at us. It’s shaking its head at us.
Dennis Taraporewala 