IndiaCountry Profile

BBC News: India• “The world’s largest democracy and second most

populous country has emerged as a major power after a period of foreign rule and several decades during which its economy was virtually closed.”– BBC

• Nehru dreamed of socialist society– After independence aligned with USSR– $ a burden to state

• 1984: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assassinated– This day in history

• Late 80’s, India began to open up to the outside world, encouraging economic reform and foreign investment

@ a glance.• The Republic of India

– World’s largest democracy– World’s 2nd largest population

• PM Manmohan Singh– May 2004– Previously India’s finance minister (early 90’s)– Policies:

• New deal (rural India) elimination of poverty• Reduce gap between the rich and poor• Non-proliferation (“dismantling India’s nukes); potentially ease

tensions with Pakistan• Economic reforms: Encourage investment in Indian business

(Western business/ USA/ China) Outsourcing/ participation in the global economy…

• Legislative branch: – Bicameral sansad

• Council of States: 250 members• People’s assembly: 545 members

• Challenges today:– Caste system and the stigma surrounding– Poverty/ divide between rich and poor– Relations with Pakistan (and other neighboring/foreign countries)

• Jammu/ Kashmir• Non-proliferation agreement for Nukes, • Proceed peacefully with Pakistan

– Religious tensions

USAUSA CHINACHINA INDIAINDIA

Population 313,847,465 (July 2012 est.) 1,343,239,923 (July 2012 est.) 1,205,073,612 (July 2012 est.)

GDP per capita $48,300 (2011 est.) $8,400 (2011 est.) $3,700 (2011 est.)

GDP PPP $14.83 trillion (2011 est.) $11.3 trillion (2011 est.) $4.421 trillion (2011 est.)

GDP growth rate 1.8% (2011 est.) 9.2% (2011 est.) 6.8% (2011 est.)

Population Below the Poverty

Line (As set by individual

countries)

15.1% (2010 est.) 13.4% 29.8% (2010 est.)