Since the outcome of U.S. elections could affect the world in a variety of ways, some countries are watching the campaign especially closely.

In India, the largest democracy in the world, the U.S. presidential election is getting a lot of attention. Above all, Indians are concerned with what the economic policy of the new president will be.

“America is still the largest economy in the world and the events of the economic crisis have proved that if America sneezes the whole world gets a cold. But today what has happened is America has got a cold and the whole world is shivering,” says Subhash Goyal, the President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.

Even though Indians have no role to play in the U.S. elections, there is interest in the process. The extensive media coverage has formed opinions and established preferences.

“I have no doubt at all that it is Senator Barack Obama, for the reason he is younger. Being young, he is able to listen, he is able to absorb new ideas. He has shown to be a person of sound judgment,” said K. P. Fabian, the former Indian Ambassador to Italy.

However, some are more in favour of Obama's opponent.

“I think that Senator McCain carries with him the age and experience that from the Indian perspective we also feel so much about. As we say, age and experience has no alternative,” says Amitabh Singhal, the Founder of Internet service providers, Association of India.

As campaigning draws to a close and the voting begins, few in India will risk predicting the result with certainty. As the saying goes, in an election anything is poss