For the history lesson:
1st world is the developed world, i.e. the industrialized countries, or also called the OECD countries (that's Northern America, Westeurope and Australia/NZ).
2nd world was the communist block - doesn't exist anymore
3th world are the developing countries.
These blocks have changed somewhat since then but that's where it comes from.
Concerning the safety issues I can guarantee that Asian Locos (except a few run by 1st world management) don't come close to any Western Loco. And you mention India? Well, I'm speechless.
Keep discovering...