This year, 13 research activities were initiated in India, compared with 11 in China, according to fDi Markets.

Currently, India is cheaper than China for R&D, but experts warn that with India’s salaries rising by about 15% every year, they could soon equal those of Chinese researchers. However, India lacks both the government incentives and an education system that could sustain this trend.

While the US and China award 1500 to 2000 computer science PhDs each year, India only awards about 100. China also not only provides funding for its students to continue scientific studies, but also offers incentives such as tax breaks for R&D and high-tech centres.

Ginanne Brownell