Geopolitics And The Need For A Stronger Indo-US Bond
Nothing is more unpredictable than geopolitics. In October this year, the United States (US) Security Advisor Jack Sullivan wrote that the Middle East has been “quieter than it has been for decades.” Within a few weeks thereafter, Hamas attacked Israel setting up another round of conflict that rages to this day.
The US, which, along with other western nations, has been striving for a peaceful Middle East has found itself on a backfoot. Add to this, the steps to reduce the influence of China and Russia in the region, the US is fighting a multi front battle. In all this, recent events that are not being largely talked about involve the growing influence of India as a counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and a complex situation involving India’s diplomatic efforts after former Indian naval officers faced espionage charges for alleged spying in Qatar.
India and the US can mutually gain through collaboration and mutual support. Many factors such as vibrant democracies, common strategic objectives and challenges, economic dependency and other interests support the need for a stronger bond between the two. Simply said, the US should do more to support India for its own larger goals.
The Indo Pacific Theatre
Thanks to its unique position, India has started playing a significant role in the larger Indo pacific theatre. This is relevant because China has been flexing its muscle ranging from claims over the South China Sea, threats of invading Taiwan and conflict with Philippines and Vietnam over various issues. Recent events in Maldives also show the extent of China’s intrusion into the region.
Taking a cue from this, the United States appears to have rekindled its focus on the region. The recent collaboration between the US International Development Finance Corporation and India's Adani Group on a deep-water container terminal project in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a prime example of this. The investment can set the stage for a wider collaboration, as it poses a direct challenge to China's BRI, as Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in the Indian Ocean maritime routes. The project shows the opportunity where US-Indian resources can together counterbalance China's economic influence and hegemony.
Unlike the opaque and potentially subversive nature of China's BRI projects, the Colombo venture stands out as a transparent, private sector-led initiative that benefits all parties involved. By minimizing sovereign debt concerns for Sri Lanka and showcasing a viable template for future collaborations, this project aligns with US strategic priorities in the region.
Navigating the Challenges in the Middle East
The Middle East also provides a ripe ground for a broader Indo-US collaboration. India enjoys a strong relation with many oil producing nations including Saudi Arabia and Dubai. This was at full display in Riyadh where security advisors from the US, India and certain Middle Eastern nations discussed large scale projects with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Although the project is at a planning stage, it aims at creating stronger road, railway, and maritime links connecting the Middle East and India.
While the United States has enjoyed a strong presence in the Middle East, recent developments involving China’s role in brokering peace talks paint a question if this influence is waning. A wider collaboration with India can help address this.
Ports and beyond
Ports and international trade are another important area where both countries can mutually benefit from each other. Historically, the United States has supported development of ports and canals ranging from the Panama Canal in the 20th century to the Lobito Corridor connecting Central Africa to global markets via the Port of Lobito in Angola. These investments ensure geopolitical stability, promote regional development and help developing nations in diversifying their economy.
Taking a cue from this, China with its ambitious but ill-fated BRI also had grandiose plans. But it has faced strong widespread criticism including the risks posed by the project to a country’s sovereignty to major nations like Italy leaving the initiative altogether. China's extensive port projects raise concerns about potential disruptions to global commerce in case of a widespread conflict, emphasizing the need to safeguard critical infrastructure.
The investment in the Colombo Port can be one of the many examples where a strategic collaboration between India and the US can play a significant role in safeguarding mutual interests in furtherance of a common cause – promoting democracy and countering China’s growing threat to both the nations. To accelerate this, the US must change its approach towards India and support its global ambitions without being entrapped into the fallacies of the past.
The US needs to go beyond viewing India as merely a market. A collaboration with India and Indian may help it in providing cheaper goods to its citizens and producing goods at a competitive price for Asian, European and American markets. The US International Trade Administration publishes country-specific guides. These guides are good for exploring foreign markets but if the Administration guides its companies in collaborating with a country like India, a new geo-economic situation may emerge. China’s expansion may suffer a setback.
Senior Research Associate at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
