In an increasingly inter-dependent world, all countries will vigorously pursue policies to optimise comparative factor endowments. The rapid technological changes, while making transactions more seamless, will reinforce the process of global integration. It has been said that the battles of this century will be fought and won on the "power of ideas." Societies will increasingly become knowledgebased and promote knowledge-based industries.

India has a distinct comparative factor advantage as a vast reservoir of skilled manpower. The demographic differentials reveal that over the next 20-30 years, India has distinct advantages in a population profile concentrated in the younger age group, where many new opportunities can be fully optimised.

What are the policies that would enable India to optimise these emerging opportunities and what should we as a nation do in concert so that we turn out to be winners and not losers?

With the objective of answering these questions, the All India Management Association (AIMA) had set up a High Level Strategic Group comprising leaders from industry, academia, and the government. The results of the deliberations of the group, involving in-depth interaction with wide segments of society and decision makers, are contained in this report.