Is India’s $4 Trillion GDP Actually a Trap? | Economic Case Study

India has just crossed the $4 trillion GDP threshold, surpassing the UK and Japan to become the world's fourth largest economy. While this milestone is celebrated, the reality is that India is not a homogeneous entity. One side of the country is celebrating the achievement, while another struggles to stretch ₹400 to the end of the month, builds toilets, and walks 5 km for clean water. The $4 trillion figure masks a silent, creeping danger known as the middle‑income trap, which has already stifled growth in countries like Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand. This case study examines where India is failing, the mistakes made by other middle‑income economies, lessons from South Korea, and what must be communicated to policymakers.