India-US Relationship with Special Reference to China
The relationship between India and the United States is an important one, and its current state has been under intense scrutiny in light of recent political developments. With the growing influence of China in the region, this relationship has become even more important. In this blog post, we will assess the state of India-US relationship, explore the challenges posed by China, and discuss how both countries can work together to strengthen their strategic partnership. We will also look at the economic, military and political ties between the two countries, and evaluate the potential opportunities that can be explored to further develop their collaboration. Finally, we will consider the implications of this relationship for the region and the world at large.
Both India and the US perceive China as the primary threat to their security. According to Ashok Tuteja “China will remain a threat to India’‘, also the latest US National Security Strategy perceives China having the “the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it.”
Ashok Tuteja says China is in competition with the US for global primacy. It has developed impressive military capabilities to sustain that geopolitical tussle with the US. Its worldview is based on specific Chinese beliefs about hierarchy in international relations and notions about its heavenly mandate. It believes two tigers cannot inhabit one mountain – the tiger they have in mind in Asia is India, which is the only power that can in due course challenge China’s supremacy. China will do whatever is possible to limit India’s power capabilities. This has brought India-USA closer for common interest in the changing world order. The US has recognized China’s emerging power and changed the course of its defense relations with India.
The latest US National Security Strategy (NSS, October 12) hails India as a major defense partner. The shift in their relation is also reflected in following examples-India signed the landmark Nuclear Deal which ended India’s nuclear isolation and recognized it as a nuclear state. And recently USA has exempted India from sanctions of CAATSA for purchasing S400 from Russia.
Scholars argue that the US acknowledges India’s importance and sees it as a deterrent to the rising power of China. Any step that could be a setback for India while catering to its security needs would also hinder US policy for South Asia; therefore, it might refrain from imposing sanctions in favor of fulfilling the common objective of containing China.
India has seen a 261-percent annual increase in China-backed cyber-attacks as of August 2021, over the same period in 2020. Meanwhile, the US has accused China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) of being responsible for the Microsoft Exchange server exploitation that resulted in the theft of intellectual property from businesses, governments, and organizations in various parts of the globe. This has led to the growing importance of cybersecurity in the India-US bilateral relations reflected in a Senior Officers Meeting of the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue held in January 2022; the dialogue aims to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity and securing critical infrastructure, among other areas. (Harsh V Pant, Trisha Ray, in India US relations: Priorities in the Next Decade). To strengthen the interoperability of their armed forces with the intent of containing China, the US and India recently held Yudh Abhyas — joint military drills— in a high-altitude area less than 100 km from the Sino-Indian frontier. Beijing opposed the exercise as meddling by a third party in its border dispute with India. In October 2020, the US’s National Security Commission on AI recommended making India the lynchpin of US tech engagement in the Indo-Pacific. The NSCAI report also proposed the creation of a US-India Strategic Tech Alliance, focusing on R&D, innovation, talent flows, as well as defense and security.
Defense Relationship
India and the US have a special relationship when it comes to defense. With a shared vision of a secure and stable Asia-Pacific region, the US and India have established a strong defense relationship over the past decade, which has only been enhanced further by the US-India Strategic Partnership in 2014. This partnership has seen an increase in joint military training and exercises, as well as greater mutual defense technology cooperation.
The US has also supported efforts to strengthen India’s defense capabilities, including providing access to high-tech weapons systems and supporting India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime. The US has also transferred technology for India’s first aircraft carrier and helped build India’s indigenous defense industry, including the production of the Brah Mos missile.
India and the US have also worked together to counter threats from China, including participating in joint exercises to strengthen defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries have also increased intelligence sharing and coordinated on military operations in the region.
Overall, the US-India defense relationship has grown significantly in recent years, and is poised for even greater growth in the future. This strong partnership has greatly benefited both countries, and will continue to do so for years to come.
Major Limitations
The India-US relationship has been characterized by strong political, economic, and cultural ties. This relationship has only strengthened over the past two decades and has been further bolstered by the growing commonalities between the two countries in the face of greater Chinese influence in the region. However, there are a few major limitations that remain in the way of a stronger India-US partnership.
There is no doubt that defense relations of USA-India are stronger than ever, yet it is not free from limitations. One limitation is due to their respective perception of China as a threat for e.g., China is a threat to India’s territorial integrity whereas USA perceives China as a challenge to its hegemony. Another limitation is the nature of response to the aggressive attitude of China for instance according to Anita Inder Singh, India views AUKUS as an alliance irrelevant to a non-aligned India. But AUKUS is a security arrangement for USA in Indo-Pacific to counter China as AUKUS prioritizes the US contest with China over the control of international ocean lanes and which strategic partner would help defend them. In case of India’s border dispute with China, the US favors’ a bilateral solution to their conflict however in case of USA’s security design several countries are being integrated (making this a multilateral issue) and India is one of them and currently, the US’ attention is focused on defending Taiwan against an aggressive China. In addition to this, divergence in understanding of Indo-Pacific is reflected in India’s simultaneous efforts to cultivate good relations with the US and Russia highlight conceptual differences between New Delhi and Washington on the Indo-Pacific and on how best to contain China in Asia.
Firstly, India and the US continue to differ in their approach to the region, particularly on issues related to China. While the US is actively seeking to counter Chinese influence in the region, India is far more cautious in its approach. This has led to differences in strategic vision between the two countries, particularly in the realm of security and defense cooperation.
Another major limitation is India’s foreign policy, which has historically been non-aligned. This has caused India to be cautious in its relationship with the US, seeking to maintain a balance between the US and China. As such, India has often been hesitant to commit to any US-led initiatives in the region.
Finally, the US and India continue to differ on key economic issues. India has been hesitant to open up its markets to American products and services, while the US has been pushing for greater market access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India and the United States have a long and complex relationship that is deeply intertwined with other international powers and interests, particularly China. The growth of their bilateral ties over the last few decades and their increased cooperation in a wide range of areas has been encouraging and they have come together on many issues, particularly on those related to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
Although there are still areas of contention that need to be addressed, India-US ties have grown significantly and continue to be an important factor in the development of the region.
The India-US relationship is one of the most important strategic partnerships in the world. With the world’s two largest democracies coming together, the potential for collaboration and cooperation is immense.
The relationship, however, is not without its challenges. China’s rise as a global superpower has forced both countries to reconsider their strategic approaches in the region. While the US and India continue to collaborate on various regional and global issues, such as climate change, trade and security, their relations with China remain a source of tension.
Despite this, both countries have made concerted efforts to strengthen the relationship by engaging in joint military drills, expanding economic ties, and engaging in regional consultation. The two countries have also coordinated in various regional and global organizations such as the United Nations and the G20.
Considering these limitations of India-USA defense relations India needs to have a balanced approach with USA in context of China this view reflects in S. Jaishankar’s book also. In his recently published volume “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World,” S Jaishankar, makes it clear that India has no plan to align itself fully with either the U.S. or China. He states that “This is a time for us to engage America, manage China, reassure Russia, bring Japan into play … and expand traditional constituencies of support.”
The US-India relationship is also becoming increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific Region. Both countries have played a crucial role in maintaining peace and security in the region, and in containing the influence of China.
Overall, the relationship between the US and India is strong and growing. While there may be some tensions between the two countries, such as those caused by China, both sides have made clear their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.