By 2030, India might lead the world in almost every category: Ex-US envoy

By 2030, India might lead the world in every category, a former top America's diplomat has said asserting that the two largest democracies of the world can do much together.

I look out at the year 2030, for example, and I see an India that may lead the world in almost every categorythe most populous nation, the most college graduates, the largest middle-class, the most cell phone and Internet users, along with the third largest military and third largest economy, all coexisting in the world's largest democracy, with 600 million people under the age of 25, Richard Verma said on Monday.

That's on top of the massive development that is taking place in India today right before our eyes. Some $2 trillion will be spent on infrastructure in just the next decade. The bulk of the infrastructure needed for 2030 is yet to be built. That's why some 100 new airports are under planning or construction today alone, he said.

In his commencement address to the Jindal University School of Banking and Finance, the former US Ambassador to India told young students that India has the youngest workforce in Asia.

and you'll hold that advantage until 2050. That's pretty formidable, he said in his remarks on 'Driving Shared Prosperity A 21st Century Priority for US-India Ties'.

The first ever Indian-American envoy to India said the modern US-India relationship was quite young.

We mark the start of this era with President Clinton's visit to India in the year 2000. It was a breakthrough visit after decades of being somewhat distant, and even at times, estranged, he said.

In his address, Verma asserted that it was now time for the relationship to deliver.

We can no longer look decades into the future. The time to deliver results for our people is now it's today that's a big challenge, but it's also exciting, for us here in America, and for all of you in India, especially as you start out on your studies and then careers, he said.

The reason I care about this subject so much and want to talk to you about it today is that I do think this is the most consequential relationship of this century. We can do so much together," he added.

"Whether it's battling a pandemic, countering terrorism and proliferation, or bringing to market all those new innovations and solutions that will make people's lives easier, safer, greener, more prosperous, more inclusive and more secure. We can do that. We are not there yet, but can we get there, he explained.

Verma also said he first-hand witnessed the picture of India on the dramatic rise when he travelled to every Indian state.

It is why I am so excited for all of you. You have the world at your fingertips. Your country will have a leading seat in international institutions, your businesses will continue to power economic growth and innovations globally, and all of you can choose what role you want to play today and in the future.

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