Good write-up Martian.
India can only counter China in the dreams of Indian ultra-nationalists.
Same as your Republican Party, they make anti-China statements, but they are economic right-wingers (they believe in laissez-faire free trade).
And in the game of trade, we are the winners. See how America's trade deficit to China soared during the Republican administration.
With all parties there viewing China as a strategic adversary, our advantage lies in the side that allows more free trade and more investment.
Modi is the same, an economic right-winger. He can make anti-China rants, the same as every other Indian political party (with Congress in the lead). But the difference is that he will let our money in.
Some people accuse him of killing Indian citizens, but that is irrelevant to me. China's duty is to look after Chinese citizens, no one else.