China celebrates its 77th anniversary today. From the Mao era to Xi Jinping's rule, China has gained a lead in economic and military fronts, while India strengthens domestic capacity.
Today is October 1, a significant date in history. Exactly 77 years ago in 1949, Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing.
India gained independence in 1947, two years before this revolution. At that time, both nations were poor and agrarian.
Today, China is the axis of the global economy. During Mao's time, China built a strong political base but remained economically weak.
Mao believed political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. He abolished landlordism and distributed land to peasants.
However, the 1958 Cultural Revolution and the 1966-1976 period caused massive damage to education and industry.
By Mao's death in 1976, China was a political force but economically poor. Meanwhile, India was building its democratic foundations.
After Mao, Deng Xiaoping took charge. He started economic reforms in 1978, creating Special Economic Zones for foreign companies.
China joined the WTO in 2001 and invested heavily in infrastructure, becoming the 'World's Factory'.
India started reforms in 1991, 13 years after China, focusing more on IT and services rather than manufacturing.
The trade deficit with China has increased by 155% in five years. In 2025-26, China became India's largest trade partner, surpassing the US.
Total trade reached $151.1 billion, with a deficit of $112.16 billion. India's exports are only $20-21 billion.
India depends on China for 43% of electronics and 44% of organic chemicals. 98.5% of imports from China are industrial goods.
China's defense budget is 3.6 times that of India. India allocated 7,84,678 crore for defense in 2026-27.
China is encircling India through ports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. India is responding with border infrastructure and Quad cooperation.
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