Will ‘transactional’ America assist India in a future border crisis with China?
When Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi last week on the sidelines of the Brics summit, another country loomed large in the background, even in its absence: the United States. After the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintain peace at the disputed border and strengthen economic ties. Beijing’s readout, however, offered a pointed…
In the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Brics summit, the United States emerged as a significant factor in the complex relationship between India and China. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace at the disputed border and strengthening economic ties, though Beijing's statement highlighted the US's potential influence on India-China ties.
While India did not endorse this view, analysts believe that the US's shifting priorities in the Asia-Pacific region and strained US-India relations are strengthening New Delhi's inclination for strategic autonomy, which in turn influences its approach to China. However, experts suggest that despite uncertainties surrounding US strategy, America would likely extend support to India in a potential border crisis with China, as it did during the 2020 Galwan clashes.
Former Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao emphasized that American assistance would be "substantially stronger" if China unilaterally altered the status quo. India, in its default position of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, is expected to manage the situation while defending its territory independently. Former US President Donald Trump's anti-establishment stance and trade disputes with allies, including India, have unsettled America's friends, prompting them to navigate rivalries and forge new partnerships.
India's efforts to stabilize ties with China coincide with strained relations with the US over trade, oil sanctions, visa restrictions, and rising anti-India rhetoric.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
