India, July 12 -- The US and China hold the technology and manufacturing poles. India is the indispensable third pole, supplying critical human resources. Without India's demographic weight and strategic positioning, Pax Silica would risk collapsing.

Our world is characterised by complexity. Relationships between countries are shaped by long-term interests pursued through medium-term engagement. Such engagement can yield short-term economic and strategic gains, alongside broader improvements in citizens' quality of life.

Central to a country's economic growth are its essential, profitable and strategic supply chains. In the bipolar era (1945-1991) and the subsequent unipolar era (1991-2008), a major power could control entire supply cha...