Should India really be celebrating as its population overtakes China?

The jury is out on whether India can successfully exploit its demographic dividend, reports Sravasti Dasgupta

Manu Bala holding her newborn daughter on Tuesday (AFP/ Getty)

India is overtaking China as the world’s most populous country, the UN said this week – but experts are split on whether the milestone is worth celebrating.

There are doubts about whether the world’s largest democracy can reap its demographic dividend and match the economic trajectory of its neighbouring nuclear superpower.

From conducting business with Russia as it invades Ukraine and attempting to placate the West as well as presiding over the Group of 20 nations, India has risen to become an important geopolitical decision-maker.