The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance. Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words)

Introduction

Strategic competition and pandemic-era disruptions have encouraged Western diversification toward India, while India pursues strategic autonomy.

Drivers and examples

• India’s large market, skilled workforce and geopolitical location support ‘China+1’ manufacturing and resilient supply chains.
• QUAD cooperation, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor reflect connectivity and strategic convergence.
• Defence technology cooperation, semiconductor and critical-mineral partnerships, and increased investment in electronics, pharmaceuticals and renewables reinforce the trend.

Balanced assessment

• India benefits from technology, capital and market access but must avoid becoming an instrument of bloc politics.
• Improve logistics, labour skills, regulatory certainty and domestic value addition while maintaining diversified relations with Russia, Europe, the US and the Global South.

Keywords: China+1, QUAD, supply-chain resilience, strategic autonomy, IPEF, IMEC, Indo-Pacific.