U.S. Under Secretary Jacob Helberg said India is the only country that fundamentally rivals China in the depth of its engineering workforce.
This assessment highlights a strategic shift in how the U.S. views technological competition. By identifying India as a peer to China in human capital, the U.S. signals that New Delhi is an indispensable partner in the global race for technology dominance.
Helberg said the remarks during the IX USISPF Leadership Summit in 2026 [1]. He said that the scale of India's technical expertise places it in a unique global position. "India obviously is the only country on earth that fundamentally rivals China with respect to the depth of its engineering workforce and talent pool," Helberg said [1].
The statement underscores the importance of the engineering pipeline in maintaining a competitive edge in emerging technologies. While many nations possess high-tech capabilities, Helberg said that the sheer volume and depth of India's talent pool distinguish it from other global competitors.
This recognition comes as the U.S. seeks to diversify its technological partnerships and strengthen ties with democratic allies. The alignment of U.S. strategic goals with India's workforce capacity is intended to create a counterbalance to China's influence in the tech sector.
Helberg's comments at the summit reflect a broader effort to integrate Indian engineering talent into the U.S. innovation ecosystem. The Under Secretary said that this synergy is critical for securing the next generation of technological breakthroughs.
“India obviously is the only country on earth that fundamentally rivals China”
The endorsement of India's engineering depth by a high-ranking U.S. official suggests a move toward a more formalized technological alliance. By framing India as the sole rival to China's workforce scale, the U.S. is pivoting from viewing India merely as a service provider to treating it as a strategic pillar of innovation and security.
