Gear up to face Indian challenge: Bush to US youth

They have been urged not to become isolationists and to help boost education and foster technological advances.

Citing the rise of "competitors" like India, President George W Bush asked American youngsters to enhance education and help foster technological advances needed by the US to compete with the world's economic powers.

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"We are seeing the rise of new competitors like China and India, and this competition creates uncertainty," he said during an address to graduate students of Oklahoma State University.

"Some look at the changes taking place all around us, and they worry about our future. Their reaction is to wall America off from the world, and to retreat into protectionism. This is a sure path to stagnation and decline," he said.

"I ask you to reject this kind pessimism," he said.

Bush urged the youth not to become isolationists but to help enhance education and foster technological advances the US needs to compete with the world's economic powers.

"We should welcome competition because it makes our country stronger and more prosperous," he said.