RACE TO THE FUTURE

China and India aim at reducing STI interdependency risks and enhancing industrial performance through investments

- RITYUSHA MANI TIWARY

A nation's quest for national identity building, stability and social transformation depends on the development of science, technology and innovation (STI). The growth of China and India is dependent on technological transformation and technological leadership. As positive indicators of success, both countries are rising steadily in this field.

China is an upper middle-income country and India is a lower middle-income country. Being neighbours and starting their independent growth journeys simultaneously, they often prompt comparison between them. To forecast the future growth trajectory and global power trends involving these two countries, the science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators serve as a global framework for measurement, analysis, comparison, technological intelligence and strategic statistical data.

The chief components of these indicators include research and development endeavours and innovation systems.

India began its post-independence journey with the goals of modernisation and, having missed the industrial revolution, focused on planned public investments in higher education, science and technology, agriculture, energy and industry. As India faced a volatile strategic environment, S&T in defence and military became a necessity. The Indian space programme, nuclear programmes and Antarctic programme benefited from the support of the Soviet Union and sporadic contributions from the US and other western powers.

India has rolled out four strategic documents for STI since 1947-science policy resolution (1958), technology policy statement (1983), science and technology policy (2003) and science, technology and innovation policy (2013). The fifth one is soon to be launched as the national science, technology, and innovation policy and is under public consultation. These policies have underlined priorities, sectoral focus and strategies for STI development in India.