India’s De-Risking Paradox: The Political Economy of Strategic Dependence on China

India is pursuing strategic de-risking as a response to the profound strategic vulnerabilities arising from its relationship with China, particularly amid mounting geopolitical tensions. Employing a quantitative analysis of recent trade data alongside a qualitative review of India’s policy architecture, the article assesses the extent of the challenge and the effectiveness of countermeasures. Macro-level data analysis shows a 5 per cent decline in China’s dominance index in the top 5 importing countries for India, amid the growing trade deficit with China. Significant structural vulnerabilities are the outcome of this imbalance, which stems from an established reliance on Chinese supplies.