Morgan Stanley’s chief Asia economist, Chetan Ahya, recently provided insights into India’s economic growth potential in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Despite optimism about India’s prospects, Ahya suggested that achieving the remarkable 8%-10% growth rates of China over the long term is unlikely. Instead, India’s economy is projected to grow steadily at a rate of 6.5%-7%.

Key factors contributing to India’s growth challenges include a lack of infrastructure and a low-skilled workforce, according to Ahya. These constraints are expected to limit India’s growth potential compared to China’s rapid expansion over the past three decades.

However, Morgan Stanley remains positive about India’s future, noting similarities between the current economic expansion and the mid-2000s boom driven by rising investment. Ahya emphasized India’s increasing capital flows and its rising share of global foreign direct investment as early indicators of its economic ascent.

Despite this optimism, Morgan Stanley acknowledges that India is unlikely to replace China as a global manufacturing hub. China’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and its foothold in emerging industries such as renewable energy and space technology give it a competitive edge over India.

In conclusion, while India’s economic growth may not reach the levels achieved by China, the nation is poised for significant progress. However, overcoming infrastructure challenges and investing in skill development will be crucial for India to realize its full economic potential in the global arena.