I think the Chinese do have visions of being a great power. And I think it's legitimate. And I don't see that that's a danger to us.

We should put more money in health. We should put more money in devising credible social safety nets for the poor.

Globalization offers us enormous opportunities in the race to leapfrog in development processes. It also obliges us to set in motion processes which would minimize its risks.

The emergence of India as a major global power is an idea whose time has come.

India's political system also would need to be modernized.

I think, overall, India is today on the move. The economic reforms that our salvation lies in - operating an open society, political system, an open economy, economic system - this has widespread support.

I have always believed that the ultimate purpose of economic policies and development policy is to meet the basic needs of our people. And for that, we need a fast-expanding economy.