WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- India and China will become major new global players by 2020, enjoying both political and economic powers, a report by a CIA think tank predicted.
The report also predicted the United States would face increased competition from growing economic power in Asia and challenges from political Islam.
Likening the rise of China and India to the emergence of the United States as a world power a century ago, the National Intelligence Council report predicted Asia's two nuclear-armed nations would "transform the geopolitical landscape" because of their robust economic growth, expanding military capabilities and large populations.
"The rise of these new powers is a virtual certainty," the Council said. It also predicted the rise of the world's two most populous countries would have a positive impact on the world economy, causing it to be about 80 percent larger than in 2000. The world per capital income would also increase by 50 percent.
The 120-page report, titled "Mapping the Global Future," aims at preparing the U.S. administration for future challenges by tracing key trends that may influence world events.
