STRATEGIC BALANCING IN HIGH-TECH WORLD: HOW INDIA NAVIGATES THE US-CHINA TECH WAR

Abstract

In a global landscape increasingly shaped by technological supremacy, India stands at a crossroads—caught between the competing pressures of the United States and China, each asserting influence over critical sectors like semiconductors, 5G infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. This research investigates how India navigates this high-stakes rivalry without compromising its sovereignty or long-term strategic interests. The study begins by mapping the broader contours of the US-China tech war, then explores India’s responses across multiple fronts: government policy, industry behavior, bilateral engagements, and participation in international institutions. Using real-world events such as India’s quiet exclusion of Huawei from 5G trials, its landmark semiconductor investment deal with Micron under the iCET framework, and its increased presence in multilateral forums like the Quad and WTO, the research demonstrates how India employs a balancing act defined by “de-risking without decoupling.” Rather than aligning rigidly with either bloc, India is building a flexible digital strategy that enhances domestic innovation while carefully managing foreign partnerships. This study concludes that India’s position is not a passive one; it reflects a proactive, context-driven model of strategic balancing where policy, diplomacy, and institutional engagement converge to carve out a sovereign path in an increasingly divided tech order.