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What Accounts for the Economic Gap Between China and India?

The world’s two most populous countries had similar starting points, but China has outpaced India across the board.

By , a deputy editor at Foreign Policy.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with China's President Xi Jinping
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with China's President Xi Jinping
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a BRICS leaders' meeting in Goa, India, on Oct. 16, 2016. PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images

India has been a rare bright spot in the global economy, enjoying an estimated 7 percent growth rate this year, even as much of the rest of the world is struggling with energy and financial crises. But the country is also thought of as a disappointment for failing to keep up with the dynamism of China, its fellow presumptive future world power. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office promising to change that reputation—but his record is mixed.

Cameron Abadi is a deputy editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @CameronAbadi

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