Is Obama’s apprehension, that India and China might overtake the United States as world superpowers, for real? Is India’s economic progress really a threat to America?

Citing India and China as countries that are going ahead with an economic revamp, US president Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address, said the US cannot accept a “second place”, and should get serious about fixing its problems, since the worst of the financial crisis was over.

“Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problems have grown worse. Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany's not waiting. India's not waiting,” he said.

He added that these nations were not standing still, and were rebuilding their infrastructure and making investments in energy to retain and increase their employment opportunities.

“Well, I do not accept a second place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it’s time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth,” he said.

Is Obama’s apprehension, that India and China might overtake the United States as world superpowers, for real? Is India’s economic progress really a threat to America?