India boasts all day long about surpassing China, but China ignores it, which does not mean everyone's eyes are blind. Here comes Germany. German media released a cartoon, which made China laugh silently and India curse angrily.

India, this South Asian superpower, has repeatedly claimed to surpass China in areas such as economy and technology in recent years, with constant proclamations from the media and officials. However, behind the confidence, the gap in infrastructure and technological strength is hard to ignore. When India was boasting loudly, Germany's "Der Spiegel" published a cartoon that juxtaposed an Indian train with a Chinese high-speed rail, using sharp satire that sparked heated discussions. China smiled silently, while India became furious. What exactly did the cartoon depict? Why did the two countries react so differently? What is the truth? Let's delve deeper into the issue.

In recent years, India's voice on the global stage has become increasingly prominent. In 2023, India's population officially surpassed China, becoming the world's most populous country, a data widely publicized by Indian media as a symbol of "surpassing." In terms of economic growth, India's GDP growth rate for the fiscal year 2022-2023 reached 7.2%, higher than China's 5.2%, giving many Indian officials great confidence. In the field of technology, India's IT industry and start-ups have also performed well, with Bangalore known as the "Silicon Valley of Asia," attracting a lot of international investment. Prime Minister Modi of India has repeatedly publicly stated that the 21st century is the "Century of India," a statement that has generated enthusiastic reactions domestically.

However, the interpretation of data requires more dimensions. While it is a fact that India's population has surpassed China, whether this demographic dividend can be converted into economic strength remains unknown. Although India's growth rate is high, it is based on a low base, and its total economy is only one-fifth of China's. In the field of technology, although India is well-known for IT service outsourcing globally, there is still a clear gap between its core technology research and development and manufacturing capabilities compared to China. This kind of boasting may boost national pride, but it also conceals the shortcomings in reality.

The German Media Cartoon: A Sharp Satire

In 2023, Germany's "Der Spiegel" published a cartoon directly pointing out the development comparison between China and India. In the picture, an old and overcrowded Indian train is parallel to a modern Chinese high-speed train. The crowd on the Indian train is crowded and struggling to breathe, while the Chinese high-speed train symbolizes efficiency and advancement. The title of the cartoon is concise yet meaningful: "India's Dream of Supremacy." This work quickly spread on global social media and became a focal point of international public opinion.

The satire of the cartoon is not without basis. India's railway system has long been criticized, with overcrowding, delays, and frequent accidents being the norm. According to official Indian data, over 20 million passengers are unable to travel on time each year due to overcrowded trains. Meanwhile, China's high-speed rail network has exceeded 40,000 kilometers, accounting for more than 70% of the global total, with operating speeds and safety leading worldwide. This stark contrast was accurately captured by the cartoon, mercilessly hitting the pain points of India's boastful claims.

China's Calm and India's Anger

Facing this cartoon, China's response was surprisingly calm. There was no official response, and netizens mostly discussed it with humor and pride. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's usual low-key style was evident here, seemingly believing that such comparisons do not need much explanation, and the facts are sufficient to speak for themselves. China's calmness is not arrogance, but rather confidence in its development - the leading position in infrastructure has already been internationally recognized.

In contrast, India's reaction was unusually intense. Indian media launched a collective attack, calling the cartoon "prejudice and humiliation against India by the West." Some politicians even accused Germany of "interfering in internal affairs" and demanded an apology. On social media, Indian netizens angrily criticized, believing the cartoon ignored India's efforts and potential. However, a few voices reflected: instead of anger, facing the gap is better. This divided reaction precisely reflects the contradictory psychology of the Indian society between confidence and reality.

A Realistic Depiction of the Gap Between China and India

The development paths of China and India have essential differences. Since the reform and opening up, China has focused on infrastructure construction and manufacturing upgrades, gradually building a complete industrial system. High-speed railways, 5G networks, and new energy industries have become important pillars of China's economy. On the other hand, although India has advantages in service outsourcing and software development, its manufacturing and infrastructure construction have long lagged behind. World Bank data shows that in 2022, India's infrastructure quality index was far lower than China's, directly limiting its economic potential.

Population dividend is an advantage often mentioned by India, but education level and employment rate have not kept pace. 65% of India's population is under 35, but a large number of laborers have not received adequate training, and the illiteracy rate remains above 20%. In contrast, China has transformed its population into human resources through popularizing education and vocational training, providing a solid foundation for economic development. This gap is not an exaggeration by the cartoon, but a true reflection of the data.

Hidden Concerns Behind the Boasting

India's media and officials' boasting is not meaningless; it has, to some extent, inspired the national morale. However, excessive publicity also brings side effects. When reality cannot match expectations, public disappointment and international skepticism follow. The cartoon by German media is merely the spark that ignited this contradiction. India needs to find a balance between confidence and practicality, otherwise the slogan of "surpassing China" will only become an empty joke.

Compared to this, China's low-key approach is not passive, but rather focusing on actual development. Whether it is the "Belt and Road" initiative or technological self-reliance, China has won international respect through actions rather than slogans. This difference in strategy might be the fundamental reason for the divergence in the development trajectories of the two countries.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836710358673545/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.