Iranians are one among them.I remember reading an article form press TV website.They believe Persian,Indian and Chinese to be 3 great Asian civilizations with Persian being the greatest.
Also,you seem to have confused the term "leading" with "ruling".When we say leading,we mean by being a better example for the world.
In history.
500 BC-India's economy had a 32.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.
1000-India's economy had a 28.9% share of world income, the largest in the world.
1500-India's economy had a 24.5% share of world income, the second largest in the world after China, which had a 25% share.[3]
1700-India's economy had a 24.4% share of world income, the largest in the world.
Timeline of the economy of India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We also have our own share of inventions
List of Indian inventions and discoveries - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But i'm not surprised with your statement as many Indians themselves are oblivious about the fact.
Why do you think 2 entities are compared in the first place?just because they"re same.
Comparison is done for a better understating of the individuals.
Indians compare with China as China is obviously better than us and also our role model.
Also why is it that poverty of India finds an honorable mention when talked about India's role in the global stage.?Its true as of now our influence is minuscule but our decisions do carry weight on international trade talks,Climate change etc.
ontopic
Another milestone passed in China's modern economic history.
But China is still way below its real potential,of which we all will see a glimpse by early 2050.