Comparing the Indian economy to a super highway, noted economist Thomas Friedman has said he is optimistic about the growth potential of the country, which remains a true democracy.
Dr. Friedman, also well known for his book ‘The World is Flat’, said that he remained “hugely optimistic about India”.
“People often ask me about India, China. For me they are two super highways but they are difficult... For India, some white lines are not there, there may not be some sidewalks, but it still a super highway when you drive on it, but whether that is a mirage or true, I don’t know,” Dr. Firedman said.
Dr. Friedman was participating in a session on India Outlook at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here on Wednesday where Finance Minister P. Chidambaram was present.
Referring to the highway imagery, Mr. Chidambaram said a speed bumper like political reforms cannot be fixed easily.
“Things like street lights not working, white lines not being there, those things can be fixed. But if there is a speed bumper like political reforms, it cannot be fixed so easily. Fixing street lights and white lines are a much easier job,” the Finance Minister said on Wednesday.
The Indian economy is expected to grow 5 per cent in the current fiscal and over 6 per cent in the next fiscal.
