HONG KONG — One of the hot topics among India's chattering classes is when their country will surpass China and become the fastest growing country in the world.

It is getting closer, with India scoring almost 9 percent last year and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that 10 percent is within reach.

A budding horse-racing commentator could get quite excited, as the two countries run neck and neck in growth rate. But this game of numbers is a dangerous one.