In the complex landscape of international geopolitics and economic development, India's position is notably unique, marked by various manifestations that are both striking and thought-provokingFrom the perspective of the Indian populace, few can be seen as equal rivalsSurrounding them are relatively smaller countries like Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, with only the great eastern power situated beyond the Himalayan peaks seen as a contender worth recognition.

The India-China border conflict in 1962 was a significant blow to India, akin to a rupture in its developmental trajectoryThis event heavily weakened the country's stance within the Non-Aligned Movement, as Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s popularity plummeted, leading to his untimely demise two years later, fraught with disappointment and indignation over the perceived failures.

During the Cold War, India maneuvered through diplomatic channels to present itself as a non-threatening power to the global giants, primarily due to its shrewd diplomatic strategies that kept international tensions at bay, contrasting sharply with China, which was fiercely protective of its sovereignty with a robust military investment.

Looking back at the 1960s, while China focused on its "Two Bombs, One Satellite" initiative to ensure national security against nuclear threats, India faced nearly zero external threats and was able to cultivate reactors for its nuclear aspirations with covert support from both the Soviet and American factions.

Without its burgeoning might, it is improbable that India would have gained such extensive technological assistance from the global superpowers, highlighting how China's ascent essentially fueled the sophistication of Indian capabilities during global transformations.

India, arguably, found itself comfortably reaping rewards during the Cold War, feigning neutrality while benefiting from vast geopolitical advantages

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However, post-Soviet Union dissolution, its dilapidated industrial system ironically made it even more appealing to larger states that sought trade partnerships in a rapidly globalizing world.

India's reliance on a planned economy in its nascent stages did yield certain advancements, but progress was exasperatingly slow due to policies characterized by bureaucratic stagnation primarily favoring a tightly knit elite governing class.

1991 signified a turning point as the global tide shifted towards economic liberalization, leading India to privatize many state-owned enterprisesWhile this move aimed to revitalize the economy, it also necessitated welcoming foreign investment with open arms.

However, the grim reality quickly set in as foreign firms encountered the harsh truths of operating within India's convoluted market, where systemic challenges made competition arduous.

The crux of the problem lay within India's aggressive trade protection policies, which restricted the smooth flow of goods across its domestic market, inhibiting deeper participation in global trade

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Such mechanisms, often perceived as safeguards for local industries, morphed into shackles that hindered competitiveness.

Foreign entities often faced similar treatment from governmental bodies, with abrupt punitive measures effectively leading them to rethink their operations within Indian territoryUnderneath this dilemma was the misconception that labor inefficiencies solely attributed to workforce deficiencies; it rather reflected a profound misunderstanding of extensive systemic and bureaucratic obstacles plaguing India's path to industrialization.

Take the arms trade, for instance—India remains significantly reliant on foreign military imports, having funneled massive orders into Russia's defense industry over decadesEven basic artillery components prove challenging to manufacture locally, often necessitating importsA notable case was the 2017 rifle “Dhanush” incident where malfunctioning parts were blamed on a Chinese supplier, underscoring India's overreach in its foreign dependencies.

While India's narrative often pivots around outrage against Western media, it raises pertinent questions regarding its procurement strategies and whether it is prudent to source from companies with questionable compatibility to national defense needs.

The Indian government's strategy hinges on the belief that purchasing advanced military technology from powerful countries would yield security guarantees and diplomatic support—thus jeopardizing domestic arms development.

Examining other sectors, the scenario parallels

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Since its independence in 1947, India has persistently recorded trade deficits, with few exceptionsThe stark figures from 2022 revealed a burgeoning trade deficit of $115.4 billion with China and $119.4 billion with the U.SMuch of India’s exports consist of raw materials, underlining its deficient industrial output.

In its avoidance of core industrial sectors dominated by advanced nations, India occasionally finds success in niche areas like generic pharmaceuticalsNevertheless, even its boastful IT sector predominantly serves as a back-office for Western firms, epitomizing India's position as a low-cost service provider.

In the global industrial landscape, India's role has been aptly characterized as a comprador, servicing foreign interests without substantial returnsThis has rendered it opportune for certain powers while juxtaposing it against China—where robust reverse engineering competencies allow for rapid adaptation and enhancement of technological imports.

While India’s achievements buoy optimism for foreign investors, the glaring reality is that the market still grapples with antiquated industrial structures

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Over a decade, growth rates appeared impressive, yet industrial takeoff remained elusive, remaining sharply dominated by services, claiming 56% of GDP against a mere 44% for agriculture and industry combined.

Such discrepancies highlight the rift within India's class structure, engendering a disconnect between progress and widespread poverty, where scores of uneducated individuals are excluded from meaningful economic participation.

India's development story diverges from typical trajectories of agricultural evolution towards manufacturingInstead, it seeks to leapfrog directly into finance and digital services, evading entrenched issues like inadequate infrastructure and widespread poverty.

According to the World Bank, over 800 million Indians survive on less than $2 a day, with daily tragedies precipitated by abject poverty unfurling in rural heartlands, painting a stark image of societal division

The top 10% of India's wealthy hold a greater share of resources than the combined share of those struggling below the poverty line.

In a significant address on India’s 75th independence anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sang praises of the country’s potential without addressing critical poverty alleviation strategiesThis suggests a governance model prioritizing a mere semblance of stability for a fraction of the population while largely neglecting the majority’s plight.

In contrast, China strives tirelessly for the common prosperity of all its citizensSuch vision raises fears among some Western nations that a unified China—prosperous and growing—could strain global resources leading to significantly lower living standards elsewhere.

In stark contrast, India exhibits little ambition for sweeping economic transformation

Even amid stark wealth disparities, communities appear resilient, with pockets like Mumbai's slums exhibiting a bizarre yet functional coexistence of wealth juxtaposed with poverty.

India's value on the world stage predominantly hinges on its role as a counterbalance to China; from the Cold War to present, Western powers have consistently calibrated strategies to leverage India’s geopolitical positioning against the EastIndia has adeptly navigated these realms to its advantage.

In the evolving geopolitical climate where the U.Sand China are locked in contention, India’s trajectory hangs in the balanceWhile it is often hailed by the West as a rising powerhouse, numerous formidable and ambitious enterprises have stumbled on Indian soilThus, while the potential is there, whether India will surpass China remains significantly debatable