Final answer:
The statement is false since India and China, while historically self-sufficient, have embraced greater economic liberalization and trade integration, which has driven their development success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that India and China pursued the self-sufficiency alternative to development by relying on a general strategy of import substitution as a path to development is False. While it is true that both countries have historically utilized some strategies of self-sufficiency and import substitution, they have, especially in recent years, transitioned towards a model of development that is more open to trade and integration into global markets. India, for example, took significant steps towards liberalization and market reforms in the 1990s, which included reducing trade barriers and encouraging foreign investment.
China, on the other hand, has become one of the major success stories in terms of economic growth by allowing greater freedom for market forces and actively encouraging its firms to participate in global markets. As a result, both India and China have been able to sustain high rates of economic growth and increase their per capita GNP. The experience of these countries shows that a combination of domestic market liberalization and engagement with international trade has been integral to their development success.