Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and economist Raghuram Rajan has advised India to avoid being "clubbed" with Pakistan, emphasizing that India should instead focus on competing with China as it aspires to be a major global player.

In an interview with India Today, Rajan highlighted concerns that the ongoing conflict with Pakistan raises questions about geopolitical stability in the region, potentially hindering India's progress on the global stage. He suggested that being associated with Pakistan could hold India back, preventing it from achieving its full potential.

Rajan stated, "One worry about the conflict with Pakistan is it raised questions about geopolitical stability in this area of the world. And also, you know, in a sense, put us back in a in a bucket with Pakistan. We need to avoid that because we need to see ourselves as a much bigger global player."

He further emphasized the importance of India becoming competitive with China, stating, "To some extent, our bigger concern is that we, you know, become competitive with China. And, you know, rather than put Pakistan as as the sort of as being clubbed with Pakistan, better to be India-China. And then we have a elevated sort of position in people's minds."

Rajan's perspective underscores the need for India to distinguish itself and elevate its standing in the international arena. By focusing on competition with China, India can demonstrate its economic and strategic capabilities, attracting investment and solidifying its position as a key global player.

Furthermore, Rajan touched upon the importance of freedom of speech within universities for improving their quality. He noted that restrictions on freedom of speech could deter foreign investment and discourage international students from pursuing education in India.

Commenting on India's economic growth, Rajan acknowledged its positive trajectory but stressed the need for further progress. He pointed out the country's large domestic market as a significant advantage, suggesting that India should prioritize strengthening its internal market and reducing transaction costs to foster sustainable growth. In 2018, Rajan advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 'Make in India' initiative that what worked for China may not necessarily work for India. When India pushes manufacturing exports, it will have to compete with China, and an export-led growth will not be as easy as it was for the East-Asian economies.

Rajan's remarks provide valuable insights for India's policymakers and stakeholders as the country navigates its path towards global prominence. By focusing on competition with China, fostering geopolitical stability, and promoting freedom of speech and internal market, India can unlock its full potential and emerge as a leading force in the 21st century. In 2019, Rajan said that India will become bigger than China eventually as the latter would slow down, whereas the former would continue to grow. So, India will be in a better position to create the infrastructure in the region which China is promising today.