The China Challenge: A Strategic Vision for U.S.–India Relations
Published on July 18, 2011 by Lisa Curtis and Dean Cheng Backgrounder #2583
**Abstract: The U.S. should pursue robust strategic and military engagement
with India in order to encourage a stable balance of power in Asia that
prevents China from dominating the region and surrounding seas. The U.S. and
India share a broad strategic interest in setting limits to China’s
geopolitical horizons and can work together to support mutually reinforcing
goals without becoming “allies” in the traditional sense. The U.S. should
support India’s military modernization campaign, including its quest for
increasingly sophisticated technologies, and develop new initiatives for
keeping the Indian Ocean safe and secure. Additionally, the U.S. should
remain closely engaged with the smaller South Asian states and temper any
expectations that the U.S. and China can cooperate in South Asia, where
India remains the predominant power. Although India’s recent decision to
forgo American planes to fulfill its fighter aircraft needs has added a dose
of realism to Indo–U.S. relations, the complex challenge presented by a
rising China will inevitably drive the U.S. and India to elevate ties and
increase cooperation across a broad range of sectors in years to come.**
*India is keeping a wary eye on China’s rapid global ascent. Unresolved
border issues that resulted in the Sino–Indian War of 1962 have been heating
up again in recent years. Indian policymakers are scrambling to develop
effective policies to cope with a rising China by simultaneously pursuing
both a robust diplomatic strategy aimed at encouraging peaceful resolution
of border disputes and forging strong trade and economic ties and an
ambitious military modernization campaign that will build Indian air, naval,
and missile capabilities.
By bolstering its naval assets, India will solidify its position in the
Indian Ocean and enhance its ability to project power into the Asia Pacific.
New Delhi also will continue to boost its medium-range missile programs to
deter Beijing and to strengthen its air capabilities to deal with potential
flare-ups along their disputed borders.
Meanwhile, China has also been paying increasing attention to India. China’s
interests on its southern flank have led the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
to strengthen its forces in the Lanzhou and Chengdu Military Regions
bordering India.
The U.S. must keep a watchful eye on the trend lines in Sino–Indian
relations and factor these into its overall strategies in the broader Asia
region. A strong India able to hold its own against China is in America’s
interest.
China’s increased assertiveness in the East and South China Seas over the
past year has been accompanied by a hardening position on its border
disputes with India. Last summer, India took the unprecedented step of
suspending military ties with China in response to Beijing’s refusal to
grant a visa to an Indian Army general serving in Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi last December helped tamp down the
disagreement, and military contacts have since resumed. Still, the incident
shows the fragility of the Sino–Indian rapprochement and the potential for
deepening tensions over the unresolved border issues to escalate.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to India this week for
Strategic Dialogue talks provides an opportunity to take India’s pulse on
China and to discuss new diplomatic and security initiatives that will
contribute to maintaining a stable balance of power in Asia. The U.S. should
demonstrate support for Indian military modernization and enhanced
U.S.–Indian defense ties.
Published on July 18, 2011 by Lisa Curtis and Dean Cheng Backgrounder #2583
**Abstract: The U.S. should pursue robust strategic and military engagement
with India in order to encourage a stable balance of power in Asia that
prevents China from dominating the region and surrounding seas. The U.S. and
India share a broad strategic interest in setting limits to China’s
geopolitical horizons and can work together to support mutually reinforcing
goals without becoming “allies” in the traditional sense. The U.S. should
support India’s military modernization campaign, including its quest for
increasingly sophisticated technologies, and develop new initiatives for
keeping the Indian Ocean safe and secure. Additionally, the U.S. should
remain closely engaged with the smaller South Asian states and temper any
expectations that the U.S. and China can cooperate in South Asia, where
India remains the predominant power. Although India’s recent decision to
forgo American planes to fulfill its fighter aircraft needs has added a dose
of realism to Indo–U.S. relations, the complex challenge presented by a
rising China will inevitably drive the U.S. and India to elevate ties and
increase cooperation across a broad range of sectors in years to come.**
*India is keeping a wary eye on China’s rapid global ascent. Unresolved
border issues that resulted in the Sino–Indian War of 1962 have been heating
up again in recent years. Indian policymakers are scrambling to develop
effective policies to cope with a rising China by simultaneously pursuing
both a robust diplomatic strategy aimed at encouraging peaceful resolution
of border disputes and forging strong trade and economic ties and an
ambitious military modernization campaign that will build Indian air, naval,
and missile capabilities.
By bolstering its naval assets, India will solidify its position in the
Indian Ocean and enhance its ability to project power into the Asia Pacific.
New Delhi also will continue to boost its medium-range missile programs to
deter Beijing and to strengthen its air capabilities to deal with potential
flare-ups along their disputed borders.
Meanwhile, China has also been paying increasing attention to India. China’s
interests on its southern flank have led the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
to strengthen its forces in the Lanzhou and Chengdu Military Regions
bordering India.
The U.S. must keep a watchful eye on the trend lines in Sino–Indian
relations and factor these into its overall strategies in the broader Asia
region. A strong India able to hold its own against China is in America’s
interest.
China’s increased assertiveness in the East and South China Seas over the
past year has been accompanied by a hardening position on its border
disputes with India. Last summer, India took the unprecedented step of
suspending military ties with China in response to Beijing’s refusal to
grant a visa to an Indian Army general serving in Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi last December helped tamp down the
disagreement, and military contacts have since resumed. Still, the incident
shows the fragility of the Sino–Indian rapprochement and the potential for
deepening tensions over the unresolved border issues to escalate.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to India this week for
Strategic Dialogue talks provides an opportunity to take India’s pulse on
China and to discuss new diplomatic and security initiatives that will
contribute to maintaining a stable balance of power in Asia. The U.S. should
demonstrate support for Indian military modernization and enhanced
U.S.–Indian defense ties.
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