Imperatives, Challenges and Task Requirements of Becoming a Global Player: The Case of India

Abstract

ndia's external debt has been rising ever since independence 50 years ago. The debt service ratio has also been rising and touched a peak of approximately 35%. The country also has been facing foreign exchange crisis on account of the above and increasing imports burden. The two make India a disadvantaged player in international trade. Exports alone are not able to meet the increasing demands of foreign exchange. It is necessary that India to generate foreign exchange and develop debt-repaying capacity through alternative means like becoming a global player. Foreign investments inspired inflows, which have provided a temporary respite from foreign exchange crisis, may not be a lasting solution, if necessary structural changes are not undertaken to make India a global player. The investments may dry up soon if they do not fetch expected returns. If they are successful they will generate additional demand for foreign exchange. The structural changes undertaken so far do not seem to be a...