GS Paper II 2024 · Q9
10 marks · 150 words Other countries' policies & the diaspora X-Ray · Core #47‘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.
Approach · directive: “explain”
What it asks · Explain the Western 'de-risking from China' and strategic-partnership logic behind engaging India, with concrete examples and India's own caveats.
It asks 3 things — answer each
- Explain: why the West is fostering India as a supply-chain alternative to China, with examples
- Explain: India as a strategic partner to counter China's political and economic dominance, with examples
- Add India's caveats: strategic autonomy and remaining dependence on China
Open with · In June 2023 the Cabinet approved Micron's ₹22,516 crore semiconductor unit in India, a marker of Western firms de-risking from China.
Cover
- Electronics and chips: Apple suppliers' iPhone assembly under PLI; Micron's Sanand unit with 50% fiscal support.
- Supply-chain pacts: IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (November 2023), with India as Vice-Chair of its council; SCRI with Japan and Australia.
- Technology and minerals: iCET (2023), Minerals Security Partnership (joined 2023), EU–India Trade and Technology Council.
- Security: Quad, LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, 2+2 dialogues and the GE–HAL engine plan.
- Connectivity: the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (2023) as an alternative to the BRI.
- Caveats: strategic autonomy (Russia, BRICS, SCO) and continuing dependence on Chinese APIs and electronics.
Close with · India should be a trusted node, not a substitute assembler, pairing Western capital with domestic capability while keeping its strategic autonomy.
Add value (verified)
- The Cabinet approved Micron's ₹22,516 crore semiconductor unit in June 2023, with 50% fiscal support.Micron's semiconductor project at Sanand in Gujarat on fast track - PIB ↗“approved the proposal of Micron for setting up a semiconductor unit in India with capital investment of ₹22,516 crore (2.75 billion dollars) in June 2023, providing 50 per cent fiscal support on pari-passu basis.”
- India signed the IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement in November 2023; its Supply Chain Council has the USA as Chair and India as Vice-Chair.Supply Chain Council formed under Supply Chain Resilience Agreement, with USA as Chair and India as Vice-Chair - PIB ↗“Supply Chain Council formed under Supply Chain Resilience Agreement, with USA as Chair and India as Vice-Chair Posted On: 03 DEC 2024 6:19PM by PIB Delhi India has signed the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) in November 2023”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2024, GS Paper II — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 221words · Minimalist IAS
In June 2023 the Cabinet approved Micron's ₹22,516 crore semiconductor unit in India. The deal shows how the pandemic and US–China rivalry pushed the West to de-risk from China and court India.
India as an alternative to China's supply chain
- Electronics: Apple's suppliers expanded iPhone assembly in India, aided by PLI schemes.
- Semiconductors: Micron's Sanand unit gets 50% central fiscal support.
- Supply-chain pacts: India signed the IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (November 2023) and is Vice-Chair of its council; the SCRI links it with Japan and Australia.
- Technology and minerals: iCET (2023), the Minerals Security Partnership (joined 2023) and the EU–India Trade and Technology Council.
India as a strategic ally against China's dominance
- Security: the Quad, foundational pacts (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA), 2+2 dialogues and the GE–HAL plan to co-produce jet engines.
- Connectivity: the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (2023) offers an alternative to the Belt and Road.
| Western aim | Instrument | India's gain |
|---|---|---|
| De-risk supply | PLI, IPEF | Manufacturing jobs |
| Tech security | iCET, MSP | Chips, minerals |
| Balance China | Quad, IMEC | Strategic leverage |
India's caveats
- Strategic autonomy: ties with Russia, BRICS and the SCO; India rejects alliance politics.
- Residual dependence: China still supplies key electronics and pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
India should become a trusted node, not a substitute assembler. Pairing Western capital with domestic capability, while keeping its autonomy, turns de-risking into lasting industrial depth.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
