Abstract
In the wake of the emergence of China which is gaining more and more influence at the international level; India is willing to take the same pathway in the search for an international status. As a matter of fact India possesses many assets to reach this position. It is the biggest democracy in the world and it takes advantage from a strong economic growth of 8 in 2006 (institute online). Thus booming Indian economy is not an illusion and is expected to benefit from a 6 average growth of its GDP between 2006 and 2020 (Schaffer: 3). However, India is hampered in its walk towards an international recognition as a "Great Power" by particular issues, both domestic and peripheral, which form a vicious cycle between issues of extreme poverty and security problems; inhibiting so India's international ambitions.
Since then, it is important to understand first what are the sources of poverty in the country and to what extent it does inhibit India as a major player in international relations.
Secondly to highlight the nature on India's security problems and the extent to which it does have an influence on its recognition abroad as a major power. Ultimately, it seems interesting to draw attention to the lack of strategic thinking in Indian politics as well as gauging its influence as a regional power and its status in an increasingly multilateral world thanks to a more pragmatic foreign policy.
