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 India can become a superpower. The more difficult question is why, despite having a large population, a sophisticated private sector, a strong services industry and a capable scientific establishment, India has not matched China's transformation into an industrial and economic giant. My central argument is that India has demonstrated an ability to create islands of excellence; China has demonstrated an ability to industrialise at continental scale. The difference lies less in human potential than in manufacturing productivity, state capacity, infrastructure, education, urbanisation and the execution of economic policy. India is already a major power in several fields. But becoming a comprehensive superpower requires much more than a large GDP, a space programme or military strength. 1. The scale of the gap is enormous The World Bank's 2025 data illustrate the difference. Data +1 China $19.5 trillion GDP, 2025 $13,862 GDP per capita India $4 trillion GDP, 2025 $2,703 GDP per ca...