British media claims there are only four global powers in the world: China, the U.S., Russia, and the UK—this statement has sparked outrage in India!
On June 2, the American magazine Foreign Policy published an article stating that only four true great powers currently exist in the world: the United States, China, Russia, and the fourth spot went to the United Kingdom.
This criteria isn't based on GDP or military spending. Instead, it's a set of four benchmarks established by Professor Brendan Simms from the University of Cambridge: shared behavioral patterns, influence, international reputation, and resilience. In other words, a nation must have global clout and access to resources, be widely recognized internationally, and withstand both internal and external shocks.
As soon as the report was released, Indian media and netizens reacted with indignation. Looking into the discussions in India, the reasons aren’t hard to guess: India possesses nuclear weapons, its economy ranks fifth or sixth globally, it has the world’s largest population, and it already owns aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and missiles—so why isn’t India included among the top four?
Some Indian online users directly addressed the Global Times, accusing the ranking of deliberately downplaying India’s industrial strength and intentionally erasing achievements in defense science and technology. They were especially upset that even core technologies like single-crystal turbine blades weren’t properly acknowledged—feeling deeply disrespected.
If India wants to challenge the status of these four powers, it first needs to overcome several key hurdles: resolving domestic issues such as water supply, public safety, and poverty; stopping accidental missile firings that hit neighboring countries; fully localizing its defense industry supply chain; stabilizing foreign exchange reserves to prevent capital flight; and earning genuine international recognition—not just empty slogans or cries for sympathy.
Until these fundamental issues are addressed, merely ranting at media outlets, attacking rankings, or shouting about becoming a superpower is nothing more than trying to draw attention.
In my view, ultimately, the international order doesn’t recognize loud voices—it recognizes tangible global power projection, credibility tested over time, and the resilience to endure storms. These four standards place India far short of even passing the threshold.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867115759866889/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.