I agree they do need a Indian partner but if you remebers both Star and oneworld failed at getting their Indian member elects to join star had Air India who was intergrating for 3 years and was not ready to join and oneworld had the now defunct Kingfisher airlines. Until the Indian Airlines get their act together they will not be a Indian member joining an alliance. As for south america CM had always a close relationship with CO now merged into UA so it make sense that Copa joined star because their partner CO/UA was in it. South America also has the AV-TM group. Between CM,AV,TM, star alliance has or will have a presence in Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Nicaragua and Costa Rica and the possiblity of still having a Brazilian Partner with the addition of Avianca Brazil.