Till 2014, India watched as China dominated. But in 2014, everything changed. What made the world’s most complex democracy finally outpace the “unstoppable” China? This wasn’t just a policy shift, but a national reset. Here’s how the tables truly turned 🧵👇 (1/15)

Oct 28, 2025 · 12:26 PM UTC

17
199
10
529
Why China Was Winning (2000-2013) China had a simple formula: - Build factories → Create jobs → Export everything - Invest massively in roads, trains, ports​ - Peak growth: 14.2% in 2007 The world called it the "Chinese Miracle"​ (2/15)
2
17
1
114
Why India Was Losing (2000-2013) India had problems everywhere: - Reforms announced but never implemented​ - Policy paralysis from 2011-2013​ - Ease of Doing Business rank: 142nd out of 190 countries​ - Scams and corruption killed investor confidence​ India was stuck. (3/15)
1
16
1
126
The Real Problem: Infrastructure By 2014, India had the world's 2nd-worst infrastructure deficit:​ - Government spent only ₹1.12 trillion on infrastructure​ - Roads, power, and ports - terrible - Investors' confidence down India was massively underinvesting in growth. (4/15)
1
17
93
The Hidden Crisis (2011-2013) India's economy was collapsing:​ - GDP growth fell to just 5.0% by 2013 - Banking sector drowning in bad loans - Inflation eating people's savings - The government couldn't pass new laws​ India needed a complete reset. (5/15)
3
15
1
128
2014: The Game-Changer Begins New government, new thinking. Instead of complaining, India started fixing everything at once. Here's the 3-move strategy that changed everything: Move 1: Fix Bureaucracy Move 2: Build Infrastructure Move 3: Modernise the Economy (6/15)
1
11
91
Move 1: Make Business Easy The biggest blocker? Bureaucracy and regulations​ Before 2014: - To start a business: 29 steps - To get electricity: Wait 5 months - Rank in ease of doing business: 142nd Nobody wanted to invest in India. (7/15)
1
7
65
The Transformation The government said, "Businesses shouldn't suffer. We'll make the rules simple."​ In just 5 years: - Start a business: 8 steps (71% easier) - Get electricity: 2 months (faster) - Ease of Doing Business rank: 142nd → 63rd​ Jump of 79 positions. (8/15)
2
7
63
What did this mean? Suddenly, foreign investors noticed India: FDI Inflows: - 2013-2014: Low​ - 2014-2024: ₹667,410 crore total 67% of the last 24 years' FDI came in just 10 years​ Companies started saying, "Let's invest in India." (9/15)
1
6
59
Move 2: Build Like Never Before Remember that ₹1.12 trillion was spent on infrastructure in 2014? The government said, "That's not enough. We need 10x more."​ Infrastructure spending: - 2014: ₹1.12 trillion - 2026: ₹11.21 trillion​ A 10x explosion in 12 years. (10/15)
1
9
1
67
With this money, India built at an incredible speed:​ - 33.8 km of highway PER DAY​ - Modern airports in every region - Metro systems in 20+ cities - Railway modernisation across the country - Ports upgraded for global trade - Roads, trains, power all at the same time. (11/15)
1
4
63
Move 3: Modernise the Economy GST (2017): One tax, one market. Insolvency Code (2016): ₹4T recovered. Labour Codes (2020): 29 laws → 4 clear codes. FDI Liberalisation: ₹667K crore inflow. Make in India: Manufacturing boom. From chaos to systematic modernisation. (12/15)
1
5
55
The Digital Revolution - UPI: 100+ billion transactions per year​ - 450+ million people got bank accounts - Poor people could now transfer money instantly - Businesses could go online India leapfrogged into the digital age while others were still struggling. (13/15)
1
5
56
The Result: India Took Off After 2014, here's what happened to India's growth: 2013: 5.0% 2014: 7.3% 2015-19: 6.6% average 2020-24: 7.5% average 2024-2026: 6.4% India went from crisis to becoming the world's fastest-growing major economy. (14/15)
1
5
58
2014 was the crossover. For 14 years, China dominated. Then India fixed bureaucracy, built infra at scale, and modernised the economy. Result: Since 2014, China never recrossed India's GDP growth numbers. (15/15)
1
7
1
59
Replying to @indian_matrix
I do a session called “The China Story” in my lectures and it really hurts to see how we completely threw in the towel and allowed China to surge ahead until 2013-14
1
11
Replying to @indian_matrix
The popular belief that India can never surpass China collapses when faced with simple facts. What’s even more striking is that 2014, the year Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, marked a clear turning point. From that point onward, India’s GDP growth rate overtook China’s and has consistently stayed ahead ever since.
1
2
25
Replying to @indian_matrix
Congress sold entire manufacturing ecosystem at mercy of China.
13
Replying to @indian_matrix
Propaganda Busted!! 1. Trade Deficit China continues to post a massive and rising trade surplus, projected at $900 billion by 2025. India, on the other hand, faces a sharp widening trade deficit, expected to touch $283 billion in 2025 a clear reflection of the failed Make in India push. This underscores China’s dominance as a global exporter while India remains heavily dependent on imports. 2. Nominal GDP per Capita In 2000, China’s nominal GDP per capita was over twice that of India, and the gap has only widened under Modi’s failed policies. By 2025, China’s per capita GDP is projected at $13,800, nearly five times India’s $2,878. Crux: China’s sustained 14–17% growth has translated into higher income levels for over a decade, stronger development, and global economic clout, areas where India continues to lag far far behind. It’s like comparing Ambani to a salaried employee, even if the latter’s growth rate looks high in percentage terms, the wealth gap is far far widens further.
2
1
6
Replying to @indian_matrix
Bhai I am modi supporter too,but high base effect bhi koi cheez hoti hai,itne badi base pe agr china 5-6% kya 4% bhi grow kare toh bahut badi baat hai
3
4
Replying to @indian_matrix
Genius, Even when China’s growth rate slows down, the absolute amount it adds to its GDP each year is still massive — roughly equivalent to adding an entire Indian-sized economy every few 3 years.
3
2
Replying to @indian_matrix
Bhakt pretending to be some data based analytics account spotted.
1
Replying to @indian_matrix
@threadreaderapp unroll
1
Replying to @indian_matrix
@threadreaderapp unroll
Replying to @indian_matrix
@ThreadUnrollBot
Replying to @indian_matrix
Till 2014 this Anti National Party @INCIndia was able to fool the people courtesy - No Internt. After the internet, this party got exposed brutally and now a fringe party who may get few seats only bcz of fake news.
3
Replying to @indian_matrix
Yes, it changed from quiet progress to loud propaganda. China built 40,000 km of high-speed rail. India built WhatsApp forwards. China lifted 800 million people out of poverty. India lifted data limits on Jio SIMs. China made Huawei, BYD, CATL, DJI. India made event management companies for G20 photoshoots. China focused on manufacturing. India focused on Mann Ki Baat. China turned deserts into solar farms. India turned farmers into protesters. So, when someone says the tables turned sure, they did. Just that India flipped its table in celebration while China quietly built the next one. The world’s most complex democracy didn’t outpace China. It just got better at selling slogans!!
2
Replying to @indian_matrix
2024年印度农业增加值占GDP的比重为16.35%，比2011年下降了0.84个百分点；工业增加值占GDP的比重为24.46%，比2011年下降了5.7个百分点；制造业增加值占GDP的比重为12.53%，比2011年下降了3.61个百分点。2024年人均GDP 较2023年同比增长仅为5.54%。印度空心化的经济，毫无竞争能力。
1