Is India the World's Next Great Economic Power? Historically, the country's expected rise has remained elusive. Here's a look at what's different now.

The article examines whether India is poised to become the world's next great economic power by analyzing recent positive trends in demand, supply, and systemic facilitators within its economy. Key drivers include a growing consumer market fueled by rising incomes, a demographic dividend with a large working-age population, expanding financial markets, significant infrastructure upgrades, and a favorable geopolitical position amid global shifts away from China. However, the article also highlights persistent barriers such as unequal wealth distribution, underemployment, declining female labor participation, political and social tensions, and institutional weaknesses that could impede sustained growth. It concludes that while India's economic rise appears increasingly "inevitable," realizing this potential depends on addressing these challenges to build a more inclusive and credible growth trajectory.