In my opinion, there are 3 reasons for the historical imbalance mentioned.

As these reasons become less important, I see greater balance developing.

1. Indian-born people have historically had better English language skills because of our commonwealth heritage. These skills are particularly important in jobs with an increasing customer/market focus.
2. India was a more open society and Indians had better access to information until China’s economic liberalization under Deng. As a result, there was greater awareness and openness to opportunities in the US. (Note: this has gotten equalized since then).
3. While both India and China have many assets and also suffer from nepotism, corruption and the heavy hand of the state in private enterprise, China has done a better job of promoting entrepreneurship and developing local and state champions with a mandate to develop jobs, and increasingly, world class technology. This means that there is less reason for young people seeking economic opportunities to leave China than India. (Note: While Indian entrepreneurship is more dynamic than before China still has a big lead here).

I hope that the current technology tensions between China and the US get resolved, and that the US remains and is perceived as welcoming talented and ambitious entrepreneurs, regardless of ethnicity.

Thank you for the a2a.