India-China relations are a complex mix of cooperation, competition, and confrontation. Cooperation is seen in trade, where China is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching over $100 billion. Both countries also engage in multilateral forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, emphasizing mutual economic interests.

However, competition arises from strategic concerns, especially over infrastructure projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India opposes, citing sovereignty issues. The ongoing border dispute, highlighted by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, exemplifies the confrontation aspect. Militarization of the border and occasional skirmishes further complicate relations.

Geopolitically, India’s growing ties with the US, especially in defense and technology, create a sense of rivalry for China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Thus, the India-China dynamic remains multifaceted—cooperative in trade, competitive in infrastructure and influence, and confrontational in territorial and regional power struggles.

Dadabhai Naoroji, a prominent economist of the 19th century, played a key role in analyzing the economic plight of India under British colonial rule. His most significant contribution was his concept of the “drain of wealth,” which he argued was the main cause of India’s economic distress. According to Naoroji, Britain was draining India’s wealth through colonial exploitation, including the extraction of raw materials, forced exports, and the imposition of heavy taxes.

Naoroji also highlighted the adverse effects of British policies on India’s industrial and agricultural sectors, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment. He showed how Indian resources were being siphoned off to benefit British industries, causing stagnation in India’s own economy.

In conclusion, Naoroji’s economic theories laid the foundation for the Indian independence movement’s economic strategy, raising awareness about the exploitative colonial system and its impact on the Indian populace.