India's Rising Silver Dependence on China Sparks Strategic Concern

• India's silver imports from China now exceed 40%, a significant rise from 25% a decade ago, indicating a structural reliance post-pandemic.
• This dependence is a global trend, with countries like Thailand (41%) and the UK (36%) also heavily relying on Chinese silver.
• Silver is increasingly vital as an industrial input, especially in solar manufacturing (17% of global demand by 2025) and electronics (~25%).
• Concentrated sourcing from China poses a strategic risk, potentially impacting India's solar ambitions, electronics, and industrial sectors.
• China's growing control over strategic materials suggests silver could become a new geopolitical pressure point, with risks of price shocks or export curbs.

Why It Matters: India's growing reliance on Chinese silver, crucial for industry, poses a significant strategic and economic risk.