India is expected to use high-level engagements around the BRICS Summit to raise concerns with China over restrictions affecting technology imports and the treatment of Indian firms. The friction comes despite deep bilateral trade links and India’s dependence on Chinese components in several industrial supply chains.
The policy challenge is not captured by the word decoupling. India needs access to capital goods, electronics components and clean-energy inputs while trying to reduce strategic vulnerabilities and expand domestic manufacturing. That requires diversification, domestic capability, investment screening and selective engagement.