Defence budget
India was the third-biggest military spender in the world last year after the United States and China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The country’s defence spending grew 6.8% to reach $71.1 billion in 2019. India’s military expenditure grew 259% over the 30-year period (1990-2019) and by 37% over the decade (2010–19).
However, its military burden fell from 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 to 2.4% in 2019. India’s military spending has grown significantly over the past decade due to a raft of reasons, including a mounting salary bill for about 1.4 million serving personnel, pensions for more than two million veterans and deals worth billions of dollars to induct new combat jets, air defence missile systems, helicopters, warships and artillery guns to enhance capabilities.
Healthcare
India’s healthcare....
