The United States and India have entered into a new era with smiles and promises to lead future growth in Asia. In his recent visit to India, US President Barack Obama and his host Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on a joint strategic vision for the region. Under the new strategic charter, the US and India will closely cooperate with each other to improve security, economic integration, promote infrastructure development, trade and people to people linkages across South, Southeast and Central Asia.
At the same time, the US and India deepened their strategic partnership by achieving a breakthrough in commercial aspects of their civil nuclear cooperation agreement. The two sides also renewed their broad 10-year defense framework to allow for co-development and production of certain military equipment. The US-India partnership hints at a new emerging global order that will be driven by the two sides. It will test traditional alliances and have far reaching consequences for global politics, in particular the South Asian region.
Despite its complexities, South Asia has always featured prominently in the global strategic power play. For a long time, India has received US support as a counterweight to the growing Chinese influence in Asia.
Yet, India’s unwillingness to swiftly liberalize its huge economy and tilt toward Russia in global affairs has often strained bilateral ties with the US. Russia has historically been a key ally of India, providing it with military hardware and crucial support in times of crisis. On the other hand, Pakistan has traditionally ignored Russia and maintained warm ties with the US and China. While her relations with the US can best be described mercurial, the Chinese friendship remains time tested and key to tame India’s power ambitions.
Progress on the US-India strategic vision would of course not be possible without full support from key regional states like China, Iran and Russia.
It was not a coincidence that Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif was welcomed by China during the same days when Obama toured India.
He met with China’s top military brass to discuss long-term defense collaboration and Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts to restore stability in the region for early implementation of the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistan has already expressed its reservations over the US-India pacts as it could possibly trigger arms race to overcome any imbalance of power.
Sensing that US interest in the region is moving toward India, Pakistan has been trying to forge closer ties with Russia as well in recent months. Russia and Pakistan have signed a military cooperation agreement, and will be closely coordinating efforts against terrorism and narcotics. As Russia and China grow closer to each other, it may also help Pakistan to cement ties with Russia. By engaging powerful regional players, Pakistan is exploring all options for the future in case US interest fades away from her after withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s recent diplomatic maneuvers are also a subtle reminder to India that it does not stand alone and is ready to embrace new friendships.
As US seeks to revitalize its hegemony, the power play struggle is certain to intensify in Asia.
While interesting times lay ahead for regional geopolitics, it is hoped that the developments will not lead to instability and insecurity in Asia.
