The US and china in indian grand strategy
India’s grand strategy has long been defined by the interplay of its relationships with two of the world’s most influential powers: the United States and China. These relationships have evolved in complexity over decades, shaped by shifting geopolitical landscapes and India’s own aspirations for security, economic prosperity, global status, and strategic autonomy.
A historical context
In 2003, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee underscored India’s efforts to recalibrate its ties with both China and the United States. During a visit to Beijing, he declared that India and China had “emerged decisively from this dead-end of mistrust,” highlighting the potential for a robust partnership between the two nations. Just months later, in Washington, he extolled the “irrefutable logic of the India-U.S. partnership,” emphasizing growing collaboration in defence, security, economic development, science, technology, and education.
These dual declarations reflected India’s strategic balancing act, aiming to cultivate partnerships with two powers that were—and continue to be—pivotal to its interests. While much has changed in the international order since Vajpayee’s statements, the underlying principle of India’s strategy remains: managing its relationships with both the “near behemoth” (China) and the “far behemoth” (the U.S.) to safeguard and advance its national objectives.
Strategic calculations: china and the U.S.
India views both China and the U.S. as indispensable to its grand strategy, albeit in different ways. Policymakers in New Delhi have consistently evaluated how these two countries can impact India’s pursuit of security, economic growth, and autonomy.
China’s role:
China’s geographic proximity, economic power, and military capabilities have rendered it a critical factor in India’s strategic calculations. Historically, their relationship has oscillated between cooperation and competition. While trade between the two countries has flourished, territorial disputes—most notably along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—have strained ties. India is acutely aware of the challenges posed by an assertive China, particularly its expanding influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, areas India considers its strategic backyard.
The U.S. factor:
The United States, on the other hand, represents a distant but potent ally with the capacity to support India’s aspirations on the global stage. Since the early 2000s, the India-U.S. partnership has deepened across multiple domains, from defence cooperation to technology transfers and shared concerns over regional security. The signing of foundational agreements like the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) underscores the growing trust and interoperability between the two nations.
Dynamics and interplay
The triangular dynamic between India, China, and the U.S. significantly shapes India’s options. The rivalry between Washington and Beijing has often created opportunities for New Delhi to enhance its leverage. For instance, as U.S.-China relations have soured in recent years over trade disputes, technology competition, and ideological differences, India has emerged as a key partner for the U.S. in counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
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However, India’s strategy is not merely reactionary. It seeks to maintain autonomy by avoiding excessive alignment with either power. This has been evident in India’s participation in multilateral groupings like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which include China, alongside its active engagement in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
Challenges and future prospects
India’s dual engagement with China and the U.S. is not without its challenges. Border tensions with China, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, have heightened security concerns. Simultaneously, India must navigate its relationship with the U.S. carefully, ensuring that deeper ties do not compromise its non-aligned stance or provoke excessive hostility from Beijing.
Economically, India benefits from trade with both nations but must address imbalances, such as its reliance on Chinese imports and the need to attract U.S. investments. Diplomatically, India must manage its role as a bridge between East and West, advocating for a multipolar world while leveraging its relationships to achieve its national goals.
Conclusion
India’s grand strategy, centred on its relationships with the U.S. and China, remains a delicate balancing act. While the specifics of these relationships have evolved over time, the core objective of securing India’s strategic interests through a blend of cooperation, competition, and careful diplomacy endures. As global power dynamics continue to shift, India’s ability to navigate its ties with these two giants will be crucial in shaping its trajectory on the world stage.
