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Back to Issue: No.2, 2026

India in the global supply chain chains for technology and pharmaceutical products

Konrad Brodaczewski

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop an integrated analytical model of India’s positioning within global supply chains for technology and pharmaceutical products. The methodology was based on a combination of structural analysis of official statistics, analysis of regulatory documents, and a comparative analysis of international economic security initiatives. The results showed that in the technology sector, India demonstrated a marked asymmetry between high growth rates in exports of information and communication services and only moderate progress in the production of high-tech components. An analysis of official data revealed that software exports reached approximately USD 162 billion in 2023, whilst the manufacturing segment remained predominantly focused on the assembly of mobile devices. A comparative analysis of foreign policy initiatives demonstrated that new forms of partnership, particularly with Japan and the US, created favourable conditions for technology transfer, but did not eliminate internal structural constraints linked to a shortage of skilled personnel and a lack of specialised infrastructure. In the pharmaceutical sector, statistical analysis confirmed the expansion of India’s role as a leading manufacturer of generic drugs. Scenario modelling showed that even under conditions of maximum stimulation, dependence on imports of active ingredients could only be reduced to 40-45% by 2030, confirming the persistence of medium-term structural constraints. The study also highlighted the need for a long-term balance between the economic efficiency of imports and strategic sustainability requirements. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of analytical guidelines for government institutions, international organisations and industry associations interested in enhancing the stability of global supply chains

Keywords

outsourcing; production capacity; logistics; diversification

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Suggested citation

Brodaczewski, K. (2026). India in the global supply chain chains for technology and pharmaceutical products. Foreign Affairs, 36(2), 78-88. https://doi.org/10.59214/ua.fa/2.2026.78
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