Get real! India can't draw level with China anytime soon

The debate in a small group earlier this week was about how far India is behind China.

The quick numbers tossed out varied all the way from 10 to 25 years and more.

Figuring out the gap between the two 'rising giants of Asia' is in fact an instructive study.

For instance, China's GDP in 2011 was $6.99 trillion, or nearly four times India's $1.84 trillion.

If the Indian economy were to grow at an annual average of 7.8 per cent (the rate for the past decade), it would take 18 years to get to China's current size.

If growth were to accelerate to nine per cent, it would still take 15 years.

Text: TN Ninan, Business Standard

Image: President Barack Obama stands with China's Premier Wen Jiabao, center, as they wait to take a family photo at the East Asia Summit Gala dinner in Nusa Dua, on the island of Bali, Indonesia, Friday, November 18, 2011.

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