Final answer:
India's total footprint can rival that of developed countries like France despite having a lower per capita footprint, primarily due to its vast population and emphasis on economic output.
Step-by-step explanation:
A less developed country such as India may have a low per capita footprint because of lower consumption levels per individual when compared to developed countries. However, due to India's large population, the country's total footprint can be comparable to a developed country such as France.
The key factors contributing to this scenario include India's emphasis on economic output to meet the basic needs for its vast population, coupled with a high population growth rate, which multiply the individual footprints leading to a significant total environmental impact.