The recent announcement by India and Japan to move the production of semiconductors, LCD panels, and batteries from China to India, made shortly before the SCO summit in Tianjin, is much more than just a business decision. The mix of supply networks, geopolitical agendas, and technology foresight is a planned strategic alignment. This action is a conscious attempt to secure vital technology, reshape Asia’s economic reliance, and influence the developing cognitive aspects of contemporary warfare in addition to industrial diversification.
Semiconductors, batteries, and LCDs are no longer mere consumer goods; they are foundational to contemporary military and technological capability. From unmanned aerial vehicles and precision-guided missiles to cyber-defence systems and quantum computing, the “chip race” increasingly defines national security architecture. China has long dominated this ecosystem, leveraging integrated supply chains for rare earths, assembly, and finished components. India’s collaboration with Japan, combining Japanese technological expertise with India’s demographic and policy advantages, challenges Beijing’s near-monopoly and signals a shift in regional power dynamics.
