Former Australian PM Tony Abbott: India Will Become Leader of the Free World in Coming Decades

The 21st century belongs to India, and the Prime Minister of the country - whoever that might be four or five decades down the line - could assume the mantle of 'the leader of the free world' from the President of the United States, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott declared during the NDTV World Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

Abbott urged India to embrace its emerging role as one of the world's new superpowers, serving as a 'democratic counterweight' to China in the Asia-Pacific region and as a 'strong, reliable partner' for Australia.

He pointed to recent trade agreements, such as those India signed with Australia in 2022 and with the United Kingdom last month, as evidence that democratic nations are pivoting away from China.

During his compelling address, Abbott provided insights into India's relationships with China, Pakistan, and the United States, emphasizing that Delhi holds the key to containing Beijing's ambitions to 'dominate the world'. He stated, "They want to be the hegemonic power... and this spells trouble for all of China's neighbors, as well as the world."

Abbott highlighted three significant advantages India possesses over China: "India is a counterweight to China. It is now the most populous country. Visit any Indian city... there is massive infrastructure development - new airports and more. India is rising and can be an alternative to China."

"The 21st century belongs to India just as it belongs to China," he asserted.

According to Abbott, India's three major advantages - democracy, the rule of law, and proficiency in English - position it well for economic and military advancement similar to what China achieved decades ago.

"As Prime Minister, I used to say India will emerge as a democratic superpower. Well, now that has happened. The Prime Minister of India is likely to become the leader of the free world in the next 40-50 years..."

Addressing the Taiwan situation, Abbott warned democratic nations against dismissing China's aggressive posturing. "The best way to ensure nothing untoward happens is not to pretend that China has peaceful intentions... it is to be prepared and to let China know, every day, that it cannot get away with these incursions... weakness is provocative," the former Prime Minister cautioned.

"If China is to be made to fear that attempts to seize Taiwan will fail... I think all these need to be real prospects," he said, adding, "It is possible to defend Taiwan. The danger is escalation."

"We witnessed that during the Korean War. And we must hope and pray it doesn't escalate."

Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Abbott suggested that the war might have been prevented had Ukraine been a NATO member, protected by American and European military strength. "The Ukrainians have demonstrated remarkable heroism. I wish democracies worldwide had done more for them... If Ukraine had been part of NATO, there would have been no Russian incursion," he stated.

On US-India relations, Abbott criticized President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25% 'penalty' tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil. "I support Trump... but I believe he mishandled the situation with India by imposing those punitive tariffs... particularly when other countries engaging in similar practices, especially China (which buys more than India), didn't receive the same treatment."

Abbott also suggested that the United States made a strategic error during the Cold War by favoring Pakistan, 'a military dictatorship,' over India and its liberal democracy.

"There are good people in Pakistan... but fundamentally it remains a military society with an Islamist element. India is different. I'm not suggesting the US should cease working with Pakistan... But it should recognize who its true friends are."