2047 and Beyond: Dreams, Delusions, and the Demand for Real Change

India stands at the cusp of a historic moment. So far, our national story has largely been one of unfulfilled potential. In contrast, China’s journey has been quite the opposite. It has shown the world that when political leadership possesses the vision and competence to prioritize economic growth, success can be achieved against all odds. China is now emerging as one of the world’s most powerful nations. Western countries are actively trying to prevent China from becoming the world’s largest economy, but this seems increasingly inevitable.

Over the past decade, successive U.S. administrations have shamelessly attempted to cripple China’s economy. They’ve sought to ban Chinese companies from accessing vital materials and technologies in an effort to preserve their dominance in manufacturing. Today, China contributes to nearly half of global manufacturing output. While many developing nations also have large industries, they are mostly owned or controlled by Western multinationals. China, on the other hand, has successfully replicated nearly every major American enterprise that dominates the global market.

China hasn't just cloned businesses; it has also developed the same advanced weapon systems that make the United States a formidable global power. In doing so, it has excelled in several key industries. Chinese companies now lead the world in telecommunications, electric vehicles, and solar panels. Yet, Western media and think tanks rarely acknowledge that global green energy goals are unattainable without importing crucial components and materials from China.

India’s economy is roughly one-fifth the size of China's. It’s essential to note that when China’s economy was at the size India’s is today—approximately two decades ago—it demonstrated foresight by investing in critical technologies such as aviation, telecommunications, internet sovereignty, pharmaceutical research, and global-level education institutions. In comparison, India still lacks the confidence, courage, and strategic vision demonstrated by Chinese leadership.

It would be an insult to compare a failed state with a nation like China, which is on track to become a developed country in the next two decades, despite the growing hostility from the United States and its allies. Indians, on the other hand, often exaggerate their modest achievements. The space program is a good example. While China has built its own space station, India seeks international attention for merely reproducing cryogenic engine technology that Russia supplied in the 1990s. Similarly, the BrahMos missile is a joint venture, heavily reliant on Russian technology.

India is a large country, and some of its pharmaceutical companies are worth billions. Yet they rarely produce new medications like their Western or Chinese counterparts. Instead, they manufacture generic versions of existing drugs once patents expire—typically after seven years under the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement by the WTO. COVID-19 offered another telling example. By the time Indian companies could produce and scale medicine, the pandemic was nearly over. India's vaccines were essentially manufactured versions of those developed by Oxford University and the British government, while China and the U.S. developed their own vaccines.

The Modi regime claims India will become a developed country by 2047. But if you’re a serious person with common sense, you recognize it for what it is: just another election slogan aimed at motivating the unemployed and impoverished masses to avoid rebellion. Changing the government alone won’t solve the problem. In many cases, Modi's alternatives are even worse in terms of economic management.

What Is the Solution to India's Problems?

1. Fund Indian Businesses:
India must provide risk-tolerant loans to established Indian manufacturers and large businesses to launch greenfield projects. The current political trend of demonizing successful businesspeople must end. The opposition does India no favors by constantly targeting business leaders like Adani, Ambani, and others.

2. Welcome Chinese Investment:
India should not suffer economic losses by unnecessarily banning Chinese companies. Money has no nationality. If Chinese firms want to invest in India, we should welcome it. In the long run, while they profit, India can simultaneously build self-reliance by manufacturing entire products domestically instead of relying on Chinese imports.

3. Build Domestic Tech Giants:
Apple’s limited success in India is not enough. India must support homegrown mobile companies. For instance, Tata is now an Apple contract manufacturer. With experience and talent, Tata could eventually launch its own mobile phones, while TCS could develop the software. China has created dozens of global mobile brands in the last two decades. India has none. That must change.

4. Support Startups in Emerging Sectors:
While we may not create a Google, India can certainly fund efforts to rival ChatGPT or DeepSeek. This might require billions in investment into young startups venturing into emerging technologies.

5. Reform Education & Research:
India's political and bureaucratic class has failed to understand the role of education and research in nation-building. Massive investments are needed in higher education, especially technical fields. Every Indian state should have a top-tier film school—how is it that South Korea, a much smaller country, produces more global films than India? Similarly, India needs world-class engineering institutes to train the next generation of software developers and hardware engineers.

6. Promote R&D Through Tax Incentives:
Traditional Indian companies lack a culture of investing in research. The government must step in—subsidize research, offer tax incentives, and reward companies that invest in Indian R&D.

7. Stop Social Division and Improve Cities:
During the BJP’s rule, the Hindu-Muslim divide has severely harmed India’s image. As of 2025, India lacks a single city that offers a world-class lifestyle for its richest citizens. Many wealthy individuals prefer to live abroad because public infrastructure, safety, and civic management in India remain abysmal. In the West, every neighborhood has a park, a pool, or proper pedestrian paths. India must begin developing European-style urban zones within cities and then expand those standards nationwide.

8. End Tax Harassment:
Tax bullying under the Modi government has created fear in the corporate sector. Anyone who criticizes the government risks harassment from tax authorities. This must stop.

9. Reduce Unfair Fuel & Vehicle Taxes:
India imposes over 50% taxes on fuel and heavily taxes personal vehicles. In the U.S., 92 out of 100 people own a car. In India, the number is just 34—the lowest globally. The government must stop penalizing car ownership if it wants to stimulate economic growth.

10. Increase Disposable Income:
People need disposable income to drive consumption. One way is to raise the salaries of government employees, which would generate demand for consumer goods. But this demand must be channeled into domestic manufacturing. India should aim to sell at least 10 million passenger cars and 40 million two-wheelers annually. This won't be possible unless the government lowers taxes and supports the production of electric vehicles that can rival combustion engine models. China has already done it—India must follow.

India is in a peculiar position. Every country is becoming more protectionist. For decades, the West has promoted globalization, liberalization, and privatization, associating them ideologically with democracy and liberalism. However, the U.S. is now shocked that China has become the greatest beneficiary of globalization. If globalization continues unrestrained, China could very well replace the U.S. as the world’s largest economy.

America’s propaganda machinery is unmatched. Two decades ago, if any foreign government spoke like the U.S. does today—championing protectionism and nationalism—they would’ve been branded anti-progress lunatics. Yet, the West now justifies these shifts under the guise of national interest. Western populations display a remarkable ability to act in unison based on perceived racial or geopolitical interests—without openly admitting it. Despite American protectionism targeting even its allies, few are willing to stand up for free trade, the very principle that helped the West defeat the Soviets after World War II.

(Mukesh Devrari)