Washington– India stands out as the only realistic and long-term counterbalance to Chinese dominance in Asia, according to a recent report published by One World Outlook. The report argues that India’s unique combination of geography, economic growth, and demographic potential makes it an indispensable partner for the United States in shaping the Indo-Pacific’s strategic future.
“In the shifting chessboard of 21st-century geopolitics, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the decisive arena for global power,” writes analyst Stacey Glaser in the report titled ‘Partner, Not Pawn: India’s Place in America’s Asia Playbook’. “For the United States, containing Beijing’s ambitions requires more than naval patrols and economic sanctions; it demands a partner with scale, proximity, and political legitimacy. Among all contenders, India stands alone.”
India’s strategic edge lies in its 2,100-mile shared land border with China and its central location on the Indian Ocean—through which a major portion of global commerce and China’s energy supplies transit. Unlike other U.S. allies in the region, such as Japan or Australia, India holds sway in both continental and maritime theatres, giving it unmatched leverage in any regional security calculus.
The report also highlights that India’s economic ascent is not just a national achievement but a global geopolitical lever. A stronger Indian economy, Glaser writes, enables New Delhi to modernize its defense forces, resist Chinese pressure, and offer itself as a competitive hub for global trade and manufacturing.
Yet, the report cautions that bilateral irritants—such as trade disputes and policy mismatches—could derail the momentum. Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley is quoted warning that undermining decades of U.S.-India economic engagement would be a “strategic disaster.” She criticized past tariff wars, especially during the Trump administration, as “self-inflicted wounds” that risk pushing India closer to rivals like China or Russia.
“The reality is that both nations need each other,” the report emphasizes. “For Washington, India is the only partner in Asia with both the scale and democratic credentials to credibly balance China. For New Delhi, U.S. capital, technology, and market access are essential to accelerate growth and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.”
The report concludes that India’s greatest long-term asset may be its people. With a median age of 29 and an estimated 1.44 billion citizens in 2025, India’s youthful and growing workforce contrasts sharply with China’s aging population and declining labour pool. This demographic edge, combined with strategic alignment and shared democratic values, positions India as an essential ally for the U.S. in shaping a balanced and stable Indo-Pacific order. (Source: IANS)
