‘India can be substitute to China’: Former Australian PM Tony Abbott lists Delhi's key advantages

Tony Abbott said that when he was Australia’s Prime Minister, he used to say that India will emerge as a “democratic superpower”.

Updated on: Oct 17, 2025, 19:44:49 IST

By HT News Desk

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Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that India could be a “counterweight” to China and listed out the three big advantages that India has over China. The Australian leader said that some of Delhi's advantages over Beijing include— democracy, the rule of law, and the English language.

“The 21st century belongs to India just as it belongs to China," former Australian PM Tony Abbott said. (File/Bloomberg)

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Abbott said that India could be the “substitute” to China and highlighted the infrastructural development in the country.

"India is a counterweight to China. It is now the most populous country. You go to any Indian city... there is massive infrastructure push - new airports, etc. India is rising and can be a substitute to China," he said.

Also read: Rishi Sunak on India's stand amid US tariffs: 'Relationships based on trust...'

Abbott also said that the key to check China's ambitions to 'dominate the world' lies with India. "They want to be hegemonic power... and this spells trouble for all of China's neighbours, as well as the world,” he said.

“The 21st century belongs to India just as it belongs to China," the former Australian PM said.

‘India’s PM to be leader of free world’

While speaking at the summit, Tony Abbott said that when he was Australia’s Prime Minister, he used to say that India will emerge as a “democratic superpower”. He added that in the upcoming four to five decades, whoever is India’s Prime Minister could be the “leader of a free world”.

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

Also read: 'Misplayed his hand': Former Australian PM Tony Abbott reacts to Trump's tariff on India

‘Trump misplayed his hand with India’

While talking about the steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed on India by the United States President Donald Trump, half of which is punishment for buying oil from Russia, Abbott said that while is a Trump supporters, he believes the US President “misplayed his hand with India when he imposed those punitive tariffs... particularly given there are other countries that are cheating here, especially China (which buys more than India), that didn't get the same treatment.”

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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