New Delhi: Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has projected a historic vision for India, asserting that the country’s Prime Minister regardless of who holds office four or five decades from now could emerge as the leader of the free world, succeeding the United States in global influence. Speaking on Friday at an international leadership summit in New Delhi, Abbott urged India to fully embrace its role as a rising superpower and a democratic counterweight to China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Abbott highlighted India’s growing economic and strategic importance, noting that initiatives such as the India–Australia free trade agreement (2022) and the recent pact with the United Kingdom indicate a shifting alignment among democratic nations away from China. “India is now rising and can serve as a substitute to China,” he said, emphasizing the country’s vast population, rapid infrastructure development, and strategic potential.
Identifying three core advantages India holds over China, Abbott emphasized democracy, the rule of law, and English proficiency, positioning India for an economic and military “take-off” akin to China’s growth in previous decades. “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,” he stated.
Abbott also addressed China’s growing assertiveness, citing Taiwan as a potential first test of Beijing’s ambitions. He warned democracies not to underestimate China’s aggressive posture, stressing the importance of preparedness and clear deterrence. “The best way to ensure nothing untoward happens is not to pretend that China has peaceful intentions… weakness is provocative,” he remarked, highlighting the dangers of escalation while stressing that defending Taiwan is a feasible but critical challenge.
On the war in Ukraine, Abbott underscored the importance of a united democratic front, suggesting the conflict might have been avoided had Ukraine been a member of NATO, protected by the collective strength of the US and Europe. “The Ukrainians have been absolutely heroic. If Ukraine was part of NATO, there would have been no Russian incursion,” he said, calling for stronger global coordination to uphold international order.
Abbott also critiqued US trade policy toward India, particularly the 25 percent penalty tariff imposed under Donald Trump on Indian oil imports from Russia. While acknowledging his support for Trump, he argued that the punitive measures were unfair compared to leniency shown toward China. He added that the US historically erred during the Cold War by favoring Pakistan, a military-dominated state, over democratic India, despite India’s liberal political framework.
Reflecting on the broader Asia-Pacific strategic landscape, Abbott urged India to assert itself as a reliable partner for Australia and the democratic world, calling for strategic vision, economic leverage, and diplomatic engagement to counterbalance China’s hegemonic ambitions. “They want to be a hegemonic power… and this spells trouble for all of China’s neighbours, as well as the world,” he cautioned.
Abbott’s remarks underline a growing international acknowledgment of India’s rising stature—not only as an economic powerhouse but also as a strategic anchor for democracy, stability, and rule-based order in Asia and beyond.