Yes, it does sound misleading to compare the Indian economy today with that of China in 2007. It makes it sound like India is looking like China back in 2007. That is absolutely not the case. While India's GDP size today is comparable to that of China in 2007, it's economy is nothing like China's economy in 2007. China's economy then was just 3 years away from overtaking the Japanese economy. I just don't think that Indian could overtake the Japanese economy anytime soon. India is not deeply integrated into the world economy like China was in the 00s. The world economy can function just fine without India in the picture. There are many better outsourcing alternatives to China that are not India. Many Western brands are not rushing into the Indian market like they were with China back in 00's. While Apple are trying India out now. GM, Ford, Nissan, Carrefour, Holcim, and Lafarge have already left India. That 'massive Indian market' is apparently not profitable enough for MNCs to keep doing business there. Not a good indicator for India's globalization future.
China opened it's first HSR in 2007, while India is nowhere near completing its first HSR within this year. Indians themselves followed the Western narrative to blast the Chinese HSR as 'unprofitable'. So India doesn't look like it's in a hurry to massively upgrade it's infrastructure. China is constantly on an infrastructure building spree since the 90s, while India has been talking more, and delivering comparatively very little.
In terms of education. This is where the cheerleaders for India should actually worry. Instead of implementing serious education programs, India under the BJP is focused more into religious education. Sometimes even examining students on the topic of the Holy Cow. The quality of STEM research in India has been declining ever since Modi took power. They are now riding on the last legs of the Manmohan-era scientific research. India had gone from developing the failed Kaveri engine in the 90s-00s, to developing electric-tipped Thrishul (Lord Shiva's trident) today. If that is what the JHs call progress, then good for them.
China in the 00s was working in multilateral trade frameworks like the WTO. China's doors are open to businesses from adversaries like Japan and the US, as long as they follow China's rules of no politics, which is actually quite lenient. India's economy today is more protectionist than it was in the 00s. More arbitrary punishments, more red tape, and more barriers. Its transforming more into a gangster-like business environment. India turned away the BRI, declining massive development and FDI opportunities. India turned away RCEP, isolating its economy from the rest of Asia. The US has recently emerged as India's largest trading partner, no longer China. India has chosen to tie its economy closer to the US. But then India also wants to attempt dedolarization to promote its Rupee. So good luck to both of them.
So while India's GDP is comparable to China's in 2007. India's future economic prospects are not ;looking positive indeed. Unlike China in 2007, India is not on the path to super economic growth anytime soon. It looks like there will be more stagnation, and possibly even some decline. But most Indians are actually very optimistic about India's future. So, we should be happy for them.
