In 1962, troops from Mao Zedong’s People’s Republic of China entered Indian territory and began the Sino-Indian War. At this moment of vulnerability, the United States stepped in and provided essential arms and assistance to the Indian government. Thanks to this swift intervention, initiated by U.S. Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith, the conflict was quickly resolved and India remained relatively unaffected, beyond minor territorial losses. This U.S. aid initiated an enduring relationship between the world’s two largest democracies that has, in recent years, included many landmark defense agreements and visits by heads of state.

Since 1962, China has committed a variety of transgressions against other nations, ranging from violating international law with its artificial South China Sea islands, to its oppression of minorities, such as the Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Put simply, China is entirely unviable as a stable partner for the democracies of the world. It is unethical to allow the continuation of a status quo in which we are economically dependent on a nation which has acted as China has.

The U.S. and other nations have already been diligently working to counter China through collaboration with Japan and other regional allies. However, a better long-term solution is needed — when compared with China, American regional allies are economic infants with tiny populations.

If democracy and freedom is to prevail, a future in which Asia is led by India is essential. India is already the world’s fifth largest economy by GDP, and serves as a center for the world’s cyber economy. Through careful investment and reform, India has built excellent ports, airports, highways, and a framework for economic growth in the manufacturing sector. Most importantly, “The World Bank estimates that in 2021 India had more than 360 million children 14 or younger, 112 million more than China”(Wall Street Journal). All of these factors combine to prime India as the only competition for China, and, therefore, the only nation that can end China’s dominance in Asia.

To achieve this, economic diversification is needed— the cyber economy that has been the core of Indian success in recent years is not enough to sustain further growth and “IT will provide jobs for only a fraction of” Indian youth. In the past, ineptitude in manufacturing has held India back. Today, India is ready for the future and fully capable of high quality, ethical manufacturing. All India needs now is support from the West and other developed nations looking to counter China, such as Japan. More specifically, companies that manufacture in China need to support Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative. Supporting this will simultaneously boost a developing nation and work against China. The West needs to invest in Indian startups to refocus the Indian tech market from services to innovation. Finally, tariffs on Indian goods need to be decreased, while tariffs on Chinese goods need to be immediately increased. It is paramount that the world unites behind India and curates measures to propel the world’s largest democratic bastion forward. Pro-India policymaking was the way forward in those tense 1962 days, and is the way forward today. If not for the sake of national security interests, then for the sake of the principles of freedom and globalism that are near and dear to so many.