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No, we do NOT owe our existence to fossil fuels. We owe our modern societies and creature comforts mostly to the energy that oil, in particular, provides. However humans could exist and survive without fossil fuels. The Amish manage to do that. Yes, its a lot different to our current lifestyle but we would still exist.What we need to do is wean ourselves off of using so much of remaining fossil fuels, both to ‘eke out’ the remainder and to stop warming the planet. Over 2C degrees warming and the way of life for all on our planet, for rich or poor, becomes increasingly difficult, if not unsustainable.Contrary to another poster’s allegation, we DO know a lot about the effects and probable future effects of global warming.Two images, extreme flooding in SW China and air pollution in Wuhan, China. People in the north of China live an average 5 years less than those in the south due the effects of air pollution. Coal use also emits prodigious amounts of greenhouse gasses.Sixteen of the seventeen warmest years on record have occurred since 2001. Aided by record greenhouse gas emissions and the changed patterns of trade winds known as El Niño, 2015 and 2016 are the warmest in the last 115,000 years… and we have only reached the second decade of this century.Even before the Stern Report of 2006 was released, the Pentagon had drawn similar conclusions: a 2003 report warned that it is “plausible” that Northern Europe could experience a miniature ice age [F1: melting Greenland glaciers send cold water south, redirecting the Gulf Stream which keeps Northern Europe temperate, thus causing severe winter storms and a plunge in average temperatures]. It also noted that the world would experience major drought, famine and rioting, as countries fought over the remaining supplies of water and food.[i] In addition, the report warned that the planet was already carrying a higher population than it could sustain. More recent U.S. National Security reports offer dire warnings about the perils of climate disruption.[ii]Effects over decades of a rise in temperature of Two Degrees Centigrade:The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) predicts that a rise of 2°C will affect the food supplies of millions of people across Central America, Africa and Asia. Most scientists concur that the 2°C increase will harm all essential sectors of our civilisation – food, water, health, land, energy and economic prosperity.This temperature increase brings chronic shortages of water to the northern cities of China. Worldwide, refugee numbers amount of perhaps 150 million.[iii] Much of central Asia, from northern India across to China and Russia, experiences water shortages, as does the Western United States and Canada, parts of Europe, and South America west of the Andes. These areas are inhabited by one sixth of the world's population.In California, three-quarters of the snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada disappears, leaving cities short of water during the summer months. Eighteen countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Israel, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, experience increasing water scarcity. Wars break out over dwindling food and water resources.A 2°C temperature increase disrupts finely balanced oceanic ecosystems. An increase in carbon dioxide affects organisms that form the vital base of the food chain. Fish stocks begin to collapse, as do those of mussels, scallops, oysters and other shellfish. Ninety-five percent of the world’s coral dies.A 2°C increase will melt glaciers and arctic ice, causing sea levels to rise 1.5 to 4 metres above present levels [F4: this variety in sea rise levels is mainly because the melting ice sheets reduce gravitational pull in their direction. In consequence, ocean water will tend to flow toward the equator. Hence, computer models project sea levels to be 20% higher in the tropics than at higher latitudes]. The result is flooding, social and economic disruption, and possible abandonment of the worst-affected coastal cities. The ocean current thermohaline system begins to change course, bringing less warm water north along the Gulf Stream. This in turn brings cooler temperatures to northern Europe and the east coast of the United States, and a large drop in rainfall to many key agricultural areas.In Europe, hundreds of thousands of individuals die, as blistering summer heatwaves sweep the continent. For each degree rise in temperature, there are 200 to 400% increases in the areas burned by wildfire in the Western United States.In countries near the equator, famine and drought become widespread. A 2°C rise in temperature causes an estimated 20% decrease in world agricultural output.Three degrees rise in temperatureMost climate experts agree that, once global warming exceeds 2°C, the consequences become increasingly devastating. A 3°C rise in temperature creates a world somewhat like the Old Testament bible. In approximately the same decades as temperatures have risen by 3°C, remaining fossil fuel resources become too expensive to extract. Fossil fuel dependent industrial agriculture begins to collapse.Global sea levels rise 2 to 5 metres above present levels, swamping coastal cities worldwide and, in many cases, penetrating inland. The deltas of the Nile, Ganges, Mississippi and Mekong go under the waves. Most of Southern Bangladesh disappears, as do the Maldives, the magnificent lagoon-perched city of Venice, small Pacific islands, and the main rice growing area of southern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City, London, New York, New Orleans, Miami, and major parts of Oakland experience regular widespread flooding. Should the dikes protecting Holland be breached in a wind-driven, high tide winter gale, almost the entire country will disappear beneath the waves, as will major parts of Belgium.The remaining Amazon rainforest dries out and burns, as do most areas of agricultural production in Australia. The Indus and Colorado rivers are dry.The Gulf Stream is pushed southward as Greenland’s ice sheets melt. The result is plunging winter temperatures in northern Europe, as the British Isles are lashed by ferocious gales. Worldwide, agricultural production is reduced by 30%. The same percentage of plant and animal species are either extinct, or increasingly close to extinction, unable to cope with human encroachment and sudden changes to their dwindling habitat. Hundreds of millions of people die, especially in the poorest countries.Waterfall off Greenland glacier (this is not supposed to be happening)Joshua Trees on fire, California 2013Patagonia, top 1928, bottom 2014 (yes its pretty but the glacier is gone)- Fukushima and the coming Tokyo Earthquake BookFor more Science-based information on this topic try Mark Lynass’ book ‘Six degrees: our future on a hotter planet’.Another on the link between climate change, violence, and third world crises is ‘Tropic of Chaos: climate change and the new geography of violence’ by Christian Parenti. I have only just started reading it but so far it seems excellent, very informative and well written.[i] Townsend, Mark and Harris, Paul, article from The Observer, February 22, 2004, titled ‘Now the Pentagon tells Bush: climate change will destroy us’. Original report by Schwartz Peter, CIA consultant and former head of planning at Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Randall Doug of the California-based Global Business Network, commissioned by Pentagon defence adviser Andrew Marshall.[ii] A national Security narrative (Woodrow Wilson International Centre for scholars 2011). The Pentagon Quadrennial defence review (2010), the Army Environmental Policy Institute, The National Intelligence Council and the Centre for a New American Security have also issued warnings about accelerating climate change.[iii] U.N. estimate for midcentury if we fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Interesting question, indeed.But, I am afraid that there won't be a single simplistic table with the list of areas where China is doing better than US by x% or lagging US by y%.Why I say that is because the way US and China have gone about their research and development programs, the development of country's assets and infrastructure are not neck to neck. If you go 50 years back, both the countries had different needs, with respect to what they already had and what they then aspired for.To mention in brief, US has superseded all the other nations when it comes to the computing market, Telecommunications, Internet and Software technologies, defence equipment, aerospace industry, renewable energy, space exploration, and extracting nuclear energy, etc. for example.And, in the same way, China has taken a long leap in construction techniques, infrastructure development, better urban transportation solutions, high speed railways boom, biotech applications, medical advancements and have find ways to certainly improve global manufacturing competitiveness and improvements in electronic product manufacturing techniques. A clear testament of it is that in 2009 China manufactured 48.3% of the world's televisions, 49.9% of mobile phones, 60.9% of personal computers, and 75% of LCD monitors.China in a 2006 report outlined policies for improving innovation. They include 20 large megaprojects in areas such as nanotechnology, high-end generic microchips, aircraft, biotechnology, and new drugs.Research and Technology Development in China:Research in China has in recent decades developed rapidly. The Chinese government has placed emphasis through funding, reform, and societal status on science and technology as a fundamental part of the socio-economic development of the country as well as for national prestige. China has made rapid advances in areas such as education, infrastructure, high tech manufacturing, academic publishing, patents, and commercial applications and is now in some areas and by some measures a world leader. China is now increasingly targeting indigenous innovation and aims to reform remaining weaknesses.Some facts to highlight China's R&D ever-growing capabilities:During the last 30 years China concentrated on building physical infrastructure such as roads and ports.China aims to increase basic research's share to 15% by 2020.The research firm Battelle estimates that China's R&D expenditures will exceed that of the United States in 2023.China has increasingly encouraged multinational corporations to create R&D centers in China. In 2010 there were 1,200 such R&D centers and 400 out the Fortune 500 corporations had created such R&D centers.The percentage of patents applications in China filed by Chinese companies rose from less than 52% in 2006 to nearly 73% in 2010.The Royal Society in a 2011 report on academic publishing stated that in share of English scientific research papers the United States was first followed by China, the UK, Germany, Japan, France, and Canada. The report predicted that China would overtake the United States some time before 2020, possibly as early as 2013.Science-Metrix, a Canadian data-analysis company, predicted that in 2010 China would publish as many natural sciences and engineering peer-reviewed papers as the United States. In 2015 China is predicted to publish as many papers as the US across all fields. In 2030 China is predicted to surpass the US in life and social sciences.A 2012 study found that China's share of academic papers on nanotechnology had increased from less than 10% in 2000 to nearly a quarter in 2009 and had overtaken the United States for the first position.Technological/Research areas where China leads and is growing:SupercomputingSupercomputing in China has expanded rapidly. It affects the possibility to do cutting edge research in many areas such as design of pharmaceuticals, natural resources exploration. climate models and military technology. In 2011 China had 74 of the 500 biggest supercomputers while a decade earlier it had none.Machine toolsDevelopment of advanced machine tools, such as CNC based machine tools, are seen as a priority and supported by the Chinese government. China is the world's leading producer and consumer of machine tools. A 2010 US government report stated that US export controls of advanced five axis machine tools were ineffectual due to the technical capabilities of Chinese and Taiwenese manufacturers.Mining and rare earth industryAdvisory firm The Beijing Axis director Lilian Luca in 2010 stated that China was becoming a world leader in mining technology. China was already a world leader in certain areas such as rare earth elements.ChemicalsKPMG in 2010 predicted that the Chinese chemical industry will become world's largest producer by 2015. The Chinese government aims to make China self-sufficient regarding petrochemicals and plastics with the exception of the raw feedstock of oil and gas. The Chinese industry is increasing R&D in order to create higher value products using more advanced technology. Another development is increasing focus on environmental concerns and renewable energy technology.Biotechnology and geneticsMonitor Group in a 2010 report predicted that China within a decade will become the world leader in discovery and innovation in life sciences.More generally, China aims and has made progress towards becoming a world leader in regenerative medicine which also includes areas such as gene therapy and tissue engineering.China in 2011 stated that biotechnology (including bio-pharmacy, bio-engineering, bio-agriculture and biomanufacturing) was a major priority for science and technology spending.Pharmaceuticals and medical technologyThe malaria drug artemisinin was developed by Chinese scientists from traditional Chinese herbology which is part of traditional Chinese medicine.Merrill Lynch predicted in 2011 that China would become the world's second largest pharmaceutical market in 2013 and the largest in 2020.A 2011 report by PwC stated that a decade earlier China barely had any presence in the medical technology industry but its abilities had been rapidly growing. China could well become more important than Europe by 2020.Environmental issues - Waste Water Treatment and DesalinationChina is rapidly expanding its wastewater treatment systems and power plant emission reduction systems. Due to the Chinese water crisis, as well as for future exports, China is building up its desalination technological abilities and plans to create an indigenous industry.Power generation and transmissionAs China rapidly industrializes power consumption and power generation are also increasing as well as research on these issues.Coal is predicted to remain the most important power source in the near future and China has been seen as the world leader in clean oil Page on technology. In 2009 China become the world's largest investor in renewable energy technologies. Nuclear Power is planned to be rapidly expanded with China wanting to maximize self-reliance in nuclear reactor technology manufacturing and design although international cooperation and technology transfer are also encouraged.TransportationTransportation infrastructure continues to be rapidly developed. The National Trunk Highway System was in 2011 estimated to surpass the US Interstate System in length.BBC wrote in a 2011 article on high-speed rail in China that China in 2005 had no high-speed railways. In 2010 it had more than Europe and in 2012 China was expected to have more than the rest of the world combined. China is now exporting it to other nations.ShipbuildingIn 2009-2010 China become the world's largest shipbuilder but South Korea regained the top position in 2011 in part due to more advanced technology. China is developing its technological abilities and competition is expected to increase.EntertainmentThe Chinese animation industry and access to the latest technology, such as 3D-computer generated imagery technology, is actively supported by the Chinese government and included in the latest national planning. The same technology as in Hollywood is available and much post-production is outsourced to China. DreamWorks Animation, in a joint venture with Chinese companies, will set up a studio in Shanghai that may eventually get bigger than DreamWorks HQ, in part to avoid to quota restrictions on foreign films with China within a decade having been predicted to become the world's biggest cinema and entertainment market.Disney has also entered into a partnership in order to help develop the Chinese animation industry.Polar researchThe Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration (CAA) organizes China's scientific program for both the Artic and Antartica. Polar research by China, in particular in Antartica, has been growing rapidly with China now having three Antarctic research stations and one in the Artic or Svalbard.Source:Science and technology in ChinaDonald D. DeGlopper, Chapter 9 - Science and Technology, A Country Study: China, Library of Congress, Country Studies - China"2011 Global R&D Funding Forecast",Battelle,Media | In the News | Battelle2012 Global R&D Funding Forecast", Battelle,Media | In the News | BattelleDieter Ernest, China's Innovation Policy Is A Wake-Up Call For America, Analysis From The East-West Center, No. 100, May 2011,Page on eastwestcenter.org

India as an emerging superpowerThe Republic of India is considered one of the emerging superpowers of the world.This potential is attributed to several indicators, the primary ones being its demographic trends and a rapidly expanding economy. In 2018 India became the world's fastest growing economy with an 8.4% GDP rate (mid year terms). The country must overcome many economic, social, and political problems before it can be considered a superpower. It is also not yet as influential on the international stage when compared to the United States and former Soviet Union.View of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. The Himalayas in the north and north-east protect the subcontinent from bitter continental cold, save the monsoon winds from escaping, and replenish the river watersheds and flat arable lands that have spawned the Indian civilization.The Metropolis of Mumbai as seen from above during night time. Mumbai is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in IndiaIndia lies in the cultural region of Indian Ocean - a zone with unprecedented potential for growth in the scale of transoceanic commerce, with many Eurasian and increasingly Afro-Asian sea-trade routes passing through or close to Indian territorial waters. The subcontinent's land and water resources, though strained, are still sustaining its massive population.According to George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston of the British Empire:The central position of India, its magnificent resources, its teeming multitude of men, its great trading harbors, its reserve of military strength, supplying an army always in a high state of efficiency and capable of being hurled at a moment's notice upon any point either of Asia or Africa--all these are assets of precious value. On the West, India must exercise a predominant influence over the destinies of Persia and Afghanistan; on the north, it can veto any rival in Tibet; on the north-east . . . it can exert great pressure upon China, and it is one of the guardians of the autonomous existence of Siam. Possession of India gave the British Empire its global reach.Possible future advantage of locationEnergyIn the future, the world is expected to exit the "fossil fuel age", and perhaps the "nuclear energy age", and enter the "renewable-energy age" or even further into the "fusion power age", if and whenever these technologies become economically sustainable.Being a region in the sunny tropical belt, the Indian subcontinent could greatly benefit from a renewable energy trend, as it has the ideal combination of both - high solar insolation and a big consumer basedensity.For example, considering the costs of energy consumed for temperature control (a major factor influencing a region's energy intensity) and the fact that - cooling load requirements, unlike heating, are roughly in phase with the sun's intensity, cooling from the excessive solar radiation could make great energetic (and hence economic) sense in the subcontinent, whenever the required technology becomes competitively cheaper.India also has 25% of the world's thorium resourcesDemographic factorsThe increased Indian population has prompted the creation of high rise apartment blocks in numerous cities, including relatively minor cities like Gurgaon, where this apartment block was built.High populationIndia has the world's second largest population. The PGR for the country is 1.1. A very large number of India's population, about 50%, is below the age group of 24. This provides the nation with a large workforce for many decades, helping in its growth.Young populationDue to its high birth rate India has a young population compared to more developed nations. It has approximately 65% of its population below the age of 35. In addition, declining fertility is beginning to reduce the youth dependency rate which may produce a demographic dividend. In the coming decades, while some of the powerful nations will witness a decrease in workforce numbers, India is expected to have an increase. For example, while Europe is well past its demographic window, the United States entered its own in 1970 (lasting until 2015), China entered its own in 1990 (and will last until 2025), India entered its own in 2010 (and it will last until 2050).In the words of Indian Scholar Rejaul Karim Laskar, "when greying population will be seen inhibiting economic growth of major countries, India will be brimming with youthful energy".Regionally, South Asia is supposed to maintain the youngest demographic profile after Africa and the Middle East, with the window extending up to the 2070s.Global diasporaEditMore than 35 million Indians live across the globe.Under fair opportunities, they have become socio-economically successful— especially in the US where they are the highest earning ethnic demographic.Foreign language skillsThe importance of the English language in the 21st century is a topic of debate,nonetheless the growing pool of non-native English speakers makes it the best contender for "Global language" status.Incidentally, India has the world's largest English speaking/understanding population.It claims one of the largest workforce of engineers, doctors and other key professionals, all comfortable with English.It has the 2nd largest population of "fluent English" speakers, second only to the United States, with estimates ranging from 150 to 250 million speakers, and is expected to have the largest in coming decades. Indians are also learning Dutch, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, German, and Spanish.Political factorsThe Machinery of the world's largest democracy: Sansad Bhavan, the Parliament of IndiaThe BRICS leaders in 2016. Left to right: Temer, Modi, Xi, Putin and Zuma.Democratic republicanistIndia is the world's largest democratic republic, more than three times bigger than the next largest (the United States). It has so far been successful politically, especially considering its functionality despite its difficult ethnic composition.The fact that India is a democracy has improved its relations with other democratic nations and significantly improved its ties with the majority of the nations in the developed world.Candidacy for Security CouncilIndia has been pressing for permanent membership of the United NationsSecurity Council (as part of the G4 nations) but with a clause that it won't exercise its veto for the next 15 years.It has received backing from United States,France, Russia,and the United Kingdom. However, China's stand remains unclear.[Foreign relations:India has developed relationships with the world powers like the European Union,Japan, Russia, and the United States.It also developed relationships with the African Union (particularly South Africa), the Arab World, Southeast Asia, Israel and South American nations (particularly Brazil). In order to make the environment favourable for economic growth, India is investing on its relations with China.It has significantly boosted its image among Western nations and signed a civilian nuclear deal with the United States in March 2006. It is also working for better relationships with Pakistan.Role in international politicsHistorically, India was one of the founding members of Non-Aligned Movement, and had good relationships with Soviet Union and other parts of western world. It played regional roles in South Asian affairs, e.g. its use of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the Bangladesh Liberation War and in Sri Lanka. It took a leading initiative to improve relations between African and Asian countries. India is an active member of the Commonwealth and the WTO. The evolving economic integration politics in the West and in Asia is influencing the Indian mood to slowly swing in favour of integration with global economy.Currently, India's political moves are being influenced by economic imperatives. New Delhi is also being observed to slowly, cautiously, and often hesitantly, step into the uncharted role of becoming one of the two major seats of political power in Asia,the other being at Beijing. Some enlightened thinkers from the subcontinent have also envisioned, over the long run, of a South Asian version of free trade zone and even a Union, where the South Asian nations relinquish all past animosities and move to make economic growth a pan subcontinental phenomenon.Multi polarity:A new and highly controversial geopolitical strategy, being debated in the West, is whether India should be trusted/helped to become an economically strong democratic citizen of the world and be used to balance the powerful but non-democratic forces, to insure a more stable world.Generally speaking it is discussed in the context of adopting a policy of offshore balancing on the part of the United States. A new American strategy towards India has been indicated in George W. Bush's recent visit to the subcontinent.Economic growthIndia's current economic growth (as the world's fastest-growing major economy as of 2015) has improved its standing on the world's political stage, even though it is still a developing country, but one that is showing strong development. Many nations are moving to forge better relationships with India.The Mumbai Pune Expressway, part of a series of modern high-traffic roads in IndiaEconomic factorsPrime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch of Make in IndiaBooming economyThe economy of India is currently the world's third largest in terms of real GDP(PPP) after the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. According to the World Bank India overtook China to become the fastest-growing major economy in the world as of 201 Its record growth was in the third quarter of 2003, when it grew higher than any other emerging economy at 10.4%.Estimates by the IMF show that in 2011 (see List of countries by future GDP estimates (PPP)), India became the third largest economy in the world, overtaking the Japanese economy and the Fifth largest economy by GDP (Nominal). India has grown at 7.5% in 2015.Primary sectorIndia, growing at 9% per year, is the world's second largest producer of food next to China. Food processing accounts for USD 69.4 billion as gross income.Secondary sectorIndia is still relatively a small player in manufacturing when compared to many world leaders. Some new trends suggest an improvement in future, since the manufacturing sector is growing at 11-12%.NIT, BITS Pilani, IIM, IISc, TIFR and AIIMS are among the world's best.EnergyTo reduce the energy crisis, India is presently constructing ~ 9 civilian nuclear power reactors and several hydro-powerstations. On 25 January 2007, Russian president Vladimir Putin offered to build 4 more reactors on a visit to India and India is expected to clinch this deal of strategical importance.Recently it also made a civilian nuclear energy deal with the US and EU.In recent years, India joined China to launch a vigorous campaign to acquire oil fields around the world and now has stake in several oil fields (in the Middle East and Russia).Mass transit system:India is in the process of developing modern mass rapid transit systems to replace its existing system which is seen as inadequate to cater to present and future urban requirements. A modern metro rail system is already in place in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Gurgaon, Jaipur and Lucknow . Work is in progress or would be commencing shortly for developing similar mass transit system in cities of NOIDA, Nagpur, Indore, Kanpur and Ahmedabad. Indore is leading the track by implementing world class GPS enabled, low floor buses in a Rapid Transport System. With growth in economy and technology, India is welcoming modernisation. The Indian rail network traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 63,140 km (39,200 miles). It is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world, transporting over 9 billion passengers and over 350 million tonnes of freight annually.Its operations covers twenty-seven states and three Union territories and also links the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, other public transport systems, such as buses are often not up to the standards followed in developed countries. India is heading towards implementation of high-speed rail in tneentry.TourismIndia, with its diverse and fascinating history, arts, music, culture, spiritual & social models has witnessed the growth of a booming tourism industry.India is a historic place with a diverse history of over five millennia. About 3.9 million tourists travelled to India in 2005, each spending approximately $1,470 per person, higher than that of France (the leading tourist destination in the world). Foreign visitors in 2005 spent more than US $15.4 billion annually in India.Many travellers find the cultural diversity an enriching experience, despite the hassles inefficiency, pollution and overcrowding.Monuments like the Taj Mahal are among the many attractions of this land.As of 2006, Conde Nast Traveller ranked India the 4th most preferred travel destination.The Planning Commission expects 5.8 million tourists travelling to India by 2010. The World Travel and Tourism Council believes India's tourism industry will grow at 10% per annum in the next decade, making it lead the world in terms of growth. Tourism contributes 6% of India's GDP and employed 40 million people, making it an important factor in India's economic growth. More than 8 million foreign tourists arrived in the year 2015 against 7.68 million in 2014 recording a growth of 4.4 percent over 2014.Medical tourism in India:Indian Metros have emerged as the leading destination of medical tourism. Last year, an estimated 150,000 foreigners visited India for medical procedures, and the number is increasing at the rate of about 15 percent a year.Military factorsSoldiers from the Grenadier Regiment during 2015 Moscow Victory Day ParadeAgni-II ballistic missile.Total strengthThe Indian Armed Forces, India's main defence organisation, consists of two main branches: the core Military of India and the Indian Paramilitary Forces. The Military of India maintains the second largest active duty force in the world after China,while the Indian Paramilitary Forces, over a million strong, is the second largest paramilitary force in the world. Combined, the total armed forces of India are 2,414,700 strong, the world's third largest defence force.ArmyThe Army of India, as the Indian army was called under British rule before 1947, played a crucial role in checking the advance of Imperial Japan into South Asia during World War II. It also played a leading role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Today, the Indian Army is the world's largest army in total numbers of armed personnel.Air forceThe Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.India recently inducted its second indigenously manufactured combat aircraft. India is also developing the fifth generation stealth aircraft.NavyThe Indian Navy is the world's fifth largest navy.It is considered to have blue-water capabilities with sophisticated missile-capable warships, aircraft carrier, minesweepers, advanced submarines and the latest aircraft in its inventory, along with a significant use of state of the art technology that is indigenously manufactured.It operates one aircraft carrier and also plans to induct the INS Vikrant by 2020 followed by a larger INS Vishal.Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDPIndia started the IGMDP to be a self-reliant nation in missile development. The IGMDP program includes five missiles like the Prithvi and Agni of ballistic missiles, surface to air missiles Trishul and Akash and also the anti tank Nag missile. Prithvi and Agni missiles are inducted into the armed forces and form the basis of Indian nuclear second strike capability. Trishul missile is declared a technology demonstrator. The Akash (Sky) is in service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. While Nag and Helina missiles are undergoing user trials. Recently, a new weapons system, the beyond visual range air-to-air Astra missile was added to the project. Also India has fielded many modern missiles like the anti ballistic missiles like the AAD and PAD along with submarine launched ballistic missiles for its Arihant class of nuclear ballistic submarines. The expertise in developing these missiles has helped Indian scientists to contribute to joint weapon development programs like the Brahmos and Barak-II. India is also developing long range cruise missiles similar to the Tomahawk class of missiles called Nirbhay. There are reports of India developing an intercontinental ballistic missile beyond the range of ten thousand kilometers.India is self-reliant in missile technology.Nuclear weaponsIndia has possessed nuclear weapons since 1974, when it did the Pokharan I nuclear tests, and the means to deliver them over long distances. However, India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (on grounds of security concerns and that India condemns the NPT as discriminatory).Arms import:India is currently world's largest arms importer, spending an estimated US$16.97 billion in 2004. India has made military technology deals with the Russian Federation, the U.S., Israel and the EU.Current major roles:The Indian Armed Forces plays a crucial role in anti-terrorist activities and maintaining law and order in the disputed Kashmir region. India has also participated in several United Nations peace-keeping missions, currently being the largest contributor to UN peace keeping force and is the second-largest contributor to the United Nations Democracy Fundbehind the USA.Cultural factor::HistoryIndia is one of two ancient civilizations, dating back to at least 5,000 years, which have stood the test of time and survived against all odds. Indians invented the numbering system (introduced into the West by Arabic mathematicians, Arabic numerals), the concept of zero, logic, geometry, basic algebra, calculus, probability, astronomy etc.India has a long history of cultural dialogue with many regions of the world, especially within Asia, where its cultural influence has spread through the philosophy of religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. - particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Many religions with origins outside the Indian subcontinent - Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Bahá'í Faith - have found followers in India. Indian culture has spread to foreign lands through wandering traders, philosophers, migration and not through conquest. According to Chinese ambassador to the United States, Hu Shih:India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border. - Hu ShihCinemaIndia's film industry produces more feature films than any other.In a year, it sold 3.6 billion tickets, more than any other film industry in the world (In comparison, Hollywood sold 2.6 billion tickets).The cinemas play a major role in spreading Indian culture worldwide. Indian cinema transcended its boundaries from the days of film Awara, a great hit in Russia. Bollywood films are seen in central and west Asia.Indian films have also found audience in eastern societies.India's film industry is now becoming increasingly popular in Western society, with Bollywood festivals occurring numerous cities and Bollywood dance groups performing in New Year's Eve celebrations, treatment which other non-English film industries generally do not receive.Golden templeUnity in diversity of world viewIndia has a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious society living together. The subcontinent's long and diverse history has given it a unique eclectic culture. It is often associated with spirituality. Thanks to its history of both indigenous and foreign influences - like the ancient Indian religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainismand Sikhism) and the ancient Middle East Asian schools of thought (Abrahamic - Islam, Christianity, Judaism etc.) - the current Indian civilizational psyche is evolving into a complex mix of them - sometimes a superposition of religious philosophies with acceptance of the conflicting cosmologies, sometimes striking a middle ground, and sometimes taking the practical attitude - popular with the young - of "filtering the common best, and leaving the rest", thus leading to the creation of many syncretic mix of faiths (such as Sai Baba of Shirdi). Since Independence, India has regained its more progressive schools of thought, like - democracy, secularism, rule of law, esteem for human rights, rational deductive reasoning, development of Science and Technology, etc. - are making slow but steady inroads into the collective modern Indian psyche. India's diversity forces it to evolve strong foundations of tolerance and pluralism, or face breakup. The Indian public is now also accepting modern western influences in their society and media - and what is emerging is a confluence of its past local culture with the new western culture ("Social Globalisation"). For some futuristic social thinkers, the miscegenation of diverse ancient culture with modernity, spirituality with science/technology, Eastern with Western world-view is potentially making India a social laboratory for the evolution of futuristic global-unity consciousness.No doubt India is gonna be a superpower by 2050 only and in 200 years …——.—>— —