78 Years After Independence: India Surges Ahead, Pakistan Faces Persistent Struggles
New Delhi, Aug 15 – In August 1947, India and Pakistan emerged as two new nations, separated by an arbitrary border but sharing a common colonial history. Both inherited battered economies, fractured societies, and the daunting task of nation-building. Seventy-eight years later, their paths could not be more different.
A new Khalsa Vox report has laid bare the widening gulf between India’s rapid ascent and Pakistan’s enduring crises — in economy, politics, military capability, and global influence.
Economic Divergence: From Shared Struggles to a Tenfold Gap
At independence, both nations inherited economies stripped of infrastructure and resources by colonial rule. By June 2025, India had become the world’s fourth-largest economy, valued at more than 10 times Pakistan’s GDP of USD 0.37 trillion, and is projected to overtake Germany by 2028.
Pakistan, by contrast, remains dependent on foreign aid and repeated International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts — the latest in 2024 marked its 24th programme.
Key Economic Indicators (2025):
- India’s foreign exchange reserves: $688 billion
- Pakistan’s reserves: $15 billion
- Per capita income (PPP): India’s nearly double Pakistan’s
The report notes, “The difference is not just in numbers but in self-confidence. India frames itself as an engine of global growth while Pakistan risks being defined by its dependency.”
Military Power: India in the Top Four, Pakistan in 12th Place
India and Pakistan have fought four wars since 1947, alongside countless border skirmishes. Yet their current military standings reflect starkly different capacities.
Global Firepower 2025 Rankings:
- India: 4th
- Pakistan: 12th
Comparative Strengths:
- Active troops: India 1.46 million vs. Pakistan 654,000
- Reserves & paramilitary: India 3.65 million combined vs. Pakistan 550,000+
- Armoured vehicles: India 148,000+ vs. Pakistan’s smaller fleet
- Aircraft: India 2,229 (Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Tejas) vs. Pakistan 1,399
- Nuclear warheads: India 180, Pakistan 170
India’s declared “No First Use” nuclear policy contrasts with Pakistan’s more ambiguous stance.
Defence Spending (2024):
- India: USD 86 billion
- Pakistan: USD 10.2 billion
For India, military power is seen as part of a broader national strategy; for Pakistan, it often dominates and shapes political life.
Democracy and Governance: A Clear Divide
India’s first general election in 1951–52 set the tone for a functioning democracy. In 2024, a record 945 million citizens were eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha elections — the largest democratic exercise in history.
Pakistan’s democratic journey has been turbulent, interrupted by military coups in 1958, 1977, and 1999. The military and intelligence agencies continue to exert decisive influence over policy, with recent rumours of another coup and Army Chief Asim Munir elevating himself to Field Marshal.
The report stresses: “India’s political culture, for all its partisanship, has nurtured stable transfers of power through elections. Pakistan’s has repeatedly been reset by force.”
Gender Equality: A Persistent Gap
While both nations face challenges, India has made comparatively more progress on women’s rights.
World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report 2024:
- India: Rank 131
- Pakistan: Rank 148
In 2024, Pakistan recorded over 24,000 abductions, 5,000 rapes, and 500 honour killings — with conviction rates under 2%.
Sports and Culture: India Expands Soft Power
India leads in sports rankings, with its ODI cricket team ranked No. 1 in 2025, while Pakistan is placed fifth. Beyond cricket, India’s Olympic tally stands at 41 medals since 1900; Pakistan has 11.
Culturally, Bollywood, music, and the Indian diaspora project influence globally. The report says Pakistan’s cultural output remains “rich but constrained by instability and limited networks.”
Foreign Policy and Global Positioning
India’s rise has been aided by strategic partnerships with the US, Europe, East Asia, and growing investments from the Gulf. It positions itself as a central player in the emerging multipolar world order.
Pakistan’s foreign policy is often shaped by dependency on IMF tranches and political patronage from China and Saudi Arabia. Despite its strategic location, it risks geopolitical marginalisation.
Historical Context: The 1947 Starting Line
In August 1947, both countries stood at the same starting point — poor, divided, and recovering from the trauma of Partition. Over the decades, India leveraged democratic governance, economic reforms, and global engagement to accelerate its growth. Pakistan’s trajectory, however, has been repeatedly disrupted by political instability, security concerns, and economic mismanagement.
Final Thoughts by TheTrendingPeople
The Khalsa Vox report concludes:
“Independence is not a static achievement but a continuing project. For Pakistan, the task is more urgent: to restore economic stability, reassert civilian supremacy, and rekindle the promise of 1947. Today, one is sprinting ahead; the other is struggling to stay in the race.”
India’s journey from 1947 to 2025 showcases how consistent democratic governance, economic planning, and global diplomacy can transform a nation. For Pakistan, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether it can overcome its crises and bridge the widening gap with its neighbour.
