New Delhi: Though India continues to be the top outsourcing destination, it has been facing growing challenge from China, Mexico and the Philippines, which are competing for a slice of the large offshoring pie, telecom expert Sam Pitroda said on Wednesday (Oct 6, 2004).

"The outsourcing trend will continue. But India will have competition from China, Philippines and Mexico on this. India had it too good for a long time, as it was the first country in carrying out successful offshore projects. But don't expect the same momentum to continue. Others also a want a pie in that," Pitroda, CEO, World Tel and member, National Advisory Council, said on the sidelines of CII Leadership Summit in New Delhi.

Describing outsourcing a part of globalisation, he said, "US makes more money due to outsourcing than losing anything for this. It is a larger profitable picture than the 300,000 job loss being talked of".

Pointing to Europe and US where the Opposition to outsourcing is maximum, Pitroda said, "They should not worry about it. It is in their interest to outsource to India".

The developed countries might be facing saturation now after growing at strong growth rates in the last few decades.

"Allow and let the developing countries grow now", he said.

Earlier addressing the Leadership Summit, he said the desired leadership in the 21st century was different from that of the past as it was based on the basic premise of globalisation.

"Global approach is going to be the need of the leaders", Pitroda said.