China and India

The globalisation of economies, instant spread of information and shared values across national and regional boundaries ensure that Asia and its constituents cannot be separated from the rest of the world. The global economic crisis of 2008 has brought about China’s recognition as a global economic power. What will be China’s political role in the global setting and more so in the Asian arena is subject of intense debate. More or less same is the case with India. India invests half of what China has been investing, yet its growth rate is 80 per cent of the Chinese rate. Its industry uses less energy than its counterpart in China to generate the same level of growth. Equally significant is the comparison of value-added per worker in manufacturing. The World Development Indicators 2001 suggests that during 1995–99, an Indian worker added value to the extent of US$ 3,118 per year whereas a Chinese worker contributed US$ 2885. The present article makes clear that the policies and processes of growth have been quite dissimilar and reflect their priorities: China’s intense desire to emerge as a superpower and India’s sustained attempt to remove internal divisions through conciliation and economic development.